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Further Reading

Operation Observant Compass

Operation Observant Compass is the name of the deployment of US forces to Uganda and other countries in central Africa to counter the Lord's Resistance Army (CLRA). The force provider to the operation's US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Command and Control Element for the operation is the Special Operations Command and Control Element - Horn of Africa (SOCCE-HOA), the special operations forces component of AFRICOM's Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).

The deployment was the latest in a line of increasingly strong responses by the US government to the threat posed to the region by the Lord's Resistance Army. On 24 May 2010, President Barack Obama announced that he had signed the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009 into law. The bill was said to recognize and strength US commitments and capabilities to protect and assist civilians in areas where the LRA were operating, to receive those LRA members who surrender, and to support efforts to bring the LRA leadership to justice. The bill also reiterated US policy and commitment to work toward a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the conflict in northern Uganda and other affected areas, including northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, southern Sudan, and the Central African Republic. The US made clear that it intended to do so in partnership with regional governments and multilateral efforts.

On 12 October 2011, President Barack Obama announced that he had authorized the deployment of combat-equipped US forces, said to be primarily US special operations forces personnel, to central Africa. There they would help regional forces fight the notorious Lord's Resistance Army and its leader, Joseph Kony. A total of 100 service members and civilians were to deploy to the region during the month, including a second combat-equipped team and headquarters, communications and logistics personnel. The US forces were not engage LRA forces unless necessary for self-defense, and were primarily to be involved in training local military forces in Uganda, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. Foreign internal defense is a traditional mission of US Army Special Forces personnel. The personnel deployed would be sent to regional capitals and other areas to work with governments, their militaries, and the peacekeeping missions in order for these forces to counter the LRA threat and protect civilians. The State Department would oversee the 3 other parts of the plan: to protect civilians, disarm and dismantle the LRA, and provide humanitarian relief to areas affected by the guerrilla militia.

On 25 October 2011, Alexander Vershbow, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the deployed forces were expected to remain in the region for months, not years. After the unspecified period, the advisors would report on whether significant progress had been made and then a decision would be made on whether or not there would be a continuing commitment.

The deployment was part of an larger overall effort announced by President Barack Obama in November 2011 to defeat the LRA. The plan had 4 objectives that supported regional and multilateral efforts: (a) increase protection of civilians; (b) apprehend or remove from the battlefield Joseph Kony and senior commanders; (c) promote the defection, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of remaining LRA fighters; and (d) increase humanitarian access and provide continued relief to affected communities. Given the necessity of bringing political, economic, military, and intelligence support to bear in addressing the threat posed by the LRA, the development of the strategy relied on the significant involvement of the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the US Agency for International Development, and the Intelligence Community. These partners were to help with the implementation of the plan. President Obama stressed that "there is no purely military solution to the LRA threat." However, his policy document notably avoided any mention of reviving peace talks with Kony. President Obama's plan noted the importance of protecting civilians still vulnerable to LRA attacks.

On 6 December 2011, Ugandan army spokesman Felix Kulayigye said that US forces had arrived in the country and were establishing their presence in affected areas. US troops were also reported to have deployed to Obo in the Central African Republic and Nzara in South Sudan. In both locations the Ugandan army also had a presence as part of the regional effort to combat the LRA.