UFLL logos on AU aid

North of Port Selao

Today, the African Union (AU) filed a formal complaint against the UFLL for obstruction. Over the past two weeks, aid trucks have been stopped by UFLL militia. These trucks are carrying vital aid packages to the region, but UFLL soldiers are demanding their logo be sprayed onto all packages before they go any further. Worse still, the UFLL wants to control distribution. I’ve seen the results of this ‘distribution’ firsthand.

As I entered a UFLL checkpoint two days ago, the truck ahead of me was pulled aside for inspection. I watched as the guards removed several crates and boxes of aid, each one marked with a large UFLL insignia. One of the guards became furious. He started striking the driver across the head.

“What is wrong with you? That is APR country out there. Do you want to help the enemy? Are you a traitor?”

He beat him viciously for several minutes before the man was allowed to return to his vehicle bruised and bloodied. He pulled his truck around and headed back to town.

Of course I arrived at the next town to find old men, women and children in dire need of aid.

Not a single soldier anywhere. It reminds me of Mbantuwe’s words to me a few weeks back. They’re worth repeating here:  “Many lives have been lost and it breaks my heart to see my brothers and sisters dying.”

Where is his broken heart now?