November 19, 2007: Rumors
continue to swirl that LRA deputy commander Vincent Otti is dead. The UN's
special peace negotiations envoy to the Juba peace talks, Joachim Chissano, was
quoted late last week as saying that it is "possible" that Otti is dead. The
LRA continually suffers from factional disputes, but a split between LRA
commander Joseph Kony and Otti represents a major breakdown. Chissano and the
UN are very worried this deep split will harm ?or halt?the peace process.
November 17, 2007: Islamic
fighters in Somalia have been threatening to attack Uganda's peacekeeping
contingent in Ethiopia. On November 15 an Islamist group made a specific threat
to "target" African Union troops. In Somalia that means Ugandan troops. Today
an attack took place in Mogadishu (the "K-4" neighborhood). Uganda reported
that one Islamist fighter died in the firefight. There were no Ugandan
casualties.
November 15, 2007: A spokesman
for LRA senior commander Joseph Kony denied reports that LRA deputy commander
Vincent Otti was dead. However, the spokesman said that Otti was under arrest.
November 12, 2007: Ugandan Army soldiers reported they fought a battle with members of the Congo rebel militia the FDLR. The firefight took place along the Congo border. Apparently several FDLR militiamen were observed crossing the border. The Ugandan troops tried to arrest the militiamen. Four FDLR militiamen were killed in the exchange of gunfire. The UN and Congo have been trying to get both Rwanda and Congo to help contain Nkunda's operations and deny him supplies.
