KAMPALA, Uganda, April 7 (UPI) -- African warlord Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army denounced Invisible Children in its formal response to the activist group's viral video "Kony 2012."
In an 18-page statement, the LRA slams Invisible Children, based in San Diego, as a front organization for the U.S. government. The statement, obtained by CNN via a Kenya-based journalist Frank Nyakairu, is signed by Justine Labeja, a spokesman for the LRA.
"Behind 'Kony 2012' lurks the U.S.A., which is not a 'banana republic' state, but a world hegemonic power that runs a vast global network of war, intelligence and security institutions, and a myriad of their humanitarian front and service organizations," the statement said.
While the "Kony 2012" viral video has drawn criticism, this is the first official response from the LRA. In the video, Invisible Children founder Jason Russell summarizes atrocities allegedly committed by Kony, recruiting boy soldiers and pushing girls into sexual slavery.
Kony, who created the army in 1987 to overthrow the Ugandan government, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Last month, the African Union said it planned to deploy 5,000 troops to bring Kony to justice. The U.S. deployed 100 troops in October.
