City photographer recalls meeting ‘dull’ Kony
WHILE more than 74 million viewers have clicked on the youtube.com video about Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony, Cape Town photographer Eric Miller recalls meeting him face to face and has commented on the merits of and misgivings he has about the movie.
Called Kony 2012, and made by a group of film-makers known as Invisible Children, the viral phenomenon has the world talking about the Ugandan leader who has captured between 30 000 and 60 000 children and converted them into child soldiers and sex slaves for his Lord’s Resistance Army.
In late 2006, Miller – along with a few other journalists and photographers – travelled to the south of Uganda where Kony was meant to drive the peace process forward with Jan Egeland, the then UN under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.
But, afraid of being arrested for trial at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, Kony didn’t arrive until Egeland had only 10 minutes of his schedule left.
When Kony finally arrived at the meeting, Miller found a man devoid of charm.
“There is a myth across the land about him being imbued with a spirit, but he’s actually very dull. He has even less charm and charisma than Julius Malema,” recalls Miller, adding that Kony’s press secretary threatened any journalists who asked unpleasant or challenging questions.
And, he says of his talks with many young LRA survivors, “the rendition of Kony on the Invisible Children film is certainly accurate in terms of his being a monster and what he has done. The film shows quick clips of the mutilation, and speaks of the kidnapping and how child soldiers were forced to kill family members as they were recruited.”
But, he adds, “The movie also glosses over some very important stuff.”
Miller agrees with criticism the world over that Kony isn’t very active anymore and therefore the timing of the film is somewhat suspect.
“There is not much news in the last year of him being active. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been in Congo or South Sudan, but he doesn’t go into Uganda anymore and hasn’t been for a long time.”
Miller says it has been “extraordinary” watching the number of views on the video shoot up by tens of millions every day, and says that the film-makers are “incredibly social media savvy” and that it has clearly been part of a “very considered campaign” that successfully targets youngsters globally who feel they can make a difference.
On the website, not a single item – save for a some $10 bracelets – are left.
All other advocacy items have been sold.
Miller says the success of the film-makers could create the impression that they are the only group actively involved in the LRA issue.
“But,” he adds, “there are other organisations in Uganda who are sweating blood and tears for the same cause in that same area and they also deserve recognition.”
Miller said that the interest in Kony may spur interest in his own book of photographs, Rebel Chic, that were exhibited in Cape Town the year after he met the rebel leader.
“I am considering uploading some of the images and footage onto Youtube as I believe strongly in the same cause as the film-makers.”