20120324
AFP
Investigators have information that Lord's Resistance Army fugitive leader Joseph Kony is in the Central African Republic, a UN envoy said Friday.

The UN envoy for Central Africa, Abou Moussa, revealed the information as countries in the region set up a new coordinated force of 5,000 troops to hunt Kony.

"We do have information that he may be in the Central African Republic," Abou Moussa told reporters at the United Nations in a videoconference from Entebbe, Uganda where African ministers agreed the new strategy.

He added that Kony's force -- thrown into the international spotlight again by a new social media video -- is now believed to have dwindled to between 200 and 700 followers. But the envoy stressed that Kony remains a threat.

"The most important thing is that no matter how little the LRA may be, it still constitutes a danger to the environment, they continue to attack and create havoc."

Kony, originally from Uganda, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for leading a grim campaign of rape, mutilation and murder, kidnapping boys to serve as child soldiers and girls as sex slaves.

The hunt across Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan has been given new international impetus by the Kony 2012 video and campaign, officials say.

The African Union said Friday it was boosting coordination between armies in the four countries to find Kony. Uganda is to take the lead in running the 5,000 strong joint force.

Uganda already has troops operating in the jungles of Central African Republic. The new taskforce will have its headquarters in Yambio, in the west of South Sudan, near the border with the Central African Republic and DR Congo.

The United States last year sent 100 special forces to help the African troops hunting Kony.