Resolve

Yesterday Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) made a statement on the Senate floor expressing his support for President Obama’s decision to send 100 advisers to central Africa. He laid out the unique features of the LRA conflict that warrant U.S. intervention and provided context for the 25 year war. He also took time to correct misconceptions that the Obama Administration is sending in combat troops. “We are not at war with them. We are specifically precluding our troops from any kind of combat in that area.”

He emphasized that U.S. help has been repeatedly requested and is now welcomed by the region. Removing Joseph Kony from the battle field is a top priority for the presidents of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the newly-born South Sudan.

With the testimony of our friend and hero Sister Giovanna, and the aid of some unsettling  images of mutilated civilians—cut-off lips, ears, hands, and noses—he drove home his point that LRA violence is exceptionally brutal and the victims are often children.

You can watch his statement here:

We found these remarks especially compelling:

“…This guy here with his nose cut off, his ears cut off, his hands cut off, all of this, this is going on today, right now, this moment as we’re speaking.

So I stand behind the president in his decision…I don’t very often stand behind this president, but I do in this case because we passed it without a dissenting vote. Every member in here, there is not one that voted against it, so let’s keep that in mind that that’s the truth about what is happening now with the LRA [emphasis mine].

With that, I yield the floor.”

Senator Inhofe continues to be a strong Congressional champion in the effort to end LRA violence. He spoke eloquently and truthfully yesterday, and we offer our deep gratitude to him and to his staff for their unrelenting commitment to stopping Joseph Kony and seeking justice for the families who have been affected by this crisis. Thank you, Senator Inhofe!

-Azy