By Ronald Odongo in Dungu, DRC, January 28, 2009
The feared LRA Deputy Chief Maj. Gen. Okot Odhiambo, who spearheaded massacre of innocent civilians in Barlonyo IDP camp in Lira in 2004 is reported to have abandoned Kony?s war with over 100 other fighters and handed himself over to allied troops in DRC.
Military source in Uganda revealed that Okot Odhimabo and other famous commanders have been in close contacts with the allied forces in the jungle of Garanmba negotiating to surreneder and later be given amnesty instead of being taken to international criminal court based in Hague.
Okot Odhiambo who is the 14th Kony?s Deputy was appointed last year by the blood thirsty rebel leader Gen. Joseph Kony following the execution of his former deputy Vincent Otii in October 2007.
Otii according to the military source was executed by Abudema one of Kony?s top commanders wanted by the ICC.
It is highly believed that Okot Odhiambo who was promoted to the rank of major general was wounded by the allied forces following series of clashing in the jungles of Gramaba.
Maj. Gen.Okot Odhiambo is one of the notorious commanders who commanded several massacres in Northern Uganda.
Odhiambo is also reported to have been the head of the rebels that killed over 360 innocent civilians innocent civilians in Barlonyo IDP camp in Lira district in 2004.
Filed under: LRA
Are your really in Dungu? I’m the Africa Editor for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (www.iwpr.net). I invite you to see my new book on Kony and the LRA titled First Kill Your Family: Child Soldiers of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army. See more at http://www.firstkillyourfamily.com and my blog at http://www.petereichstaedt.blogspot.com.
When will Odhiambo surrender?
Barlonyo killing was a devastating and barbaric events that triggered a clear road map for the return of peace in Norhern Uganda. It exposed and clearly showed the magnitude of destruction Kony had levied on the innocent civilians. Most youth including even the elderly people in Lango enrolled in the army to demonstrate their high level annoyance and unstoppable thirst for peace.
Now that the perpetrators are yielding up their killer machines, justice should be the only option for peace. Kony should be followed even if he is to enter a place that could allow only the tip of the needle and brought to book.
Amnesty can only be granted to those who joined the rebellion without their consciousnesses but the like of Kwoyelos should never be left to come and celebrate on the blood of the innocent.
For UPDF, DRC Force and SPLA we salute them for the good work they are doing. They deserve unreserved credit for there commitment for peace restoration.
“aluta continua”