Liberata Mulamula
17 July 2008
(Page 2 of 2)
The adoption of the UNSC resolution 1820 (20080), which considers rape and other forms of sexual violence as a war crime, a crime against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to genocide is a welcome development. Other regional initiatives also provide opportunities in the search for a durable solution to the problem of armed group and sexual violence. These include; the Nairobi communiqué of 9 November 2007 signed between DRC and Rwanda; the Tripartite Plus Joint Commission (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda and Uganda) as well the Goma Accord (L'Act D'Engagement) of 21 January 2008 signed between the DRC and Congolese armed groups.
Finally, the ICGLR framework provides a comprehensive approach and follow up mechanism in support of all efforts and initiatives in the search for lasting solution to this longstanding crime of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the Great Lakes region. For the Conference Secretariat our task is to coordinate, monitor and evaluate both policy and legislative initiatives in the region for prevention and eradication of sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and gender based violence. We do this in partnership with other stakeholders as ACORD, as well as in a participatory and inclusive manner.
We are determined to ensure that all forms of sexual violence are prevented, eradicated and punished. To succeed we as ICGLR count on everyone's commitment and determination to contribute in a number of areas to eradicate this vice. For the Civil society and NGOs( both national and international) there is need to heighten advocacy and awareness targeting men, women, boys and girls and make it possible for the victims to seek redress, the perpetrators to be apprehended and punished, and for the communities to protect the vulnerable.
This conference should renew our determination to act, to rout out sexual violence out of our continent, our region, our countries and our communities. Above all, we must stop the conditions that generate sexual violence namely war, poverty, instability, marginalization and impunity. In this regard, collective effort is much more needed in addressing these challenges. There is need for a multi-pronged and coordinated approach to tackling the problem whilst promoting synergies in action in preventing this heinous crime against humanity. We clearly need a joint communication strategy to achieve our common objective. It is important to strengthen our partnership in fighting this crime and assist the victims.
CONCLUSION
The Great Lakes Region of Africa has had the worst record of perpetrators of sexual violence, as well as biggest numbers of their victims, from the Eastern Congo, to Central Africa Republic, Northern Uganda and Darfur, to mention a few. The ICGLR Protocol is one of the major tools to fight sexual violence and impunity in the Great Lakes Region. It is a homegrown legal instrument responding to the grave realities of our time.
When the leaders and people of the Great Lakes Region prioritized the project and the legal framework to fight sexual violence, it was because the extent and gravity of the problem was well known. The question is why does the problem continue unabated? Why are the perpetrators not arrested? If they are arrested why they are not prosecuted? If they are prosecuted why the sentence is so lenient compared to the offence? Above all why are the cases not reported?
It is against this backdrop that the initiative taken by the Pan African Conference steering group on SGBV to gather all the stakeholders here in Nairobi in the search for common and effective strategies to address impunity in Africa is commendable. We are here as ICGLR because we believe in partnership and a coordinated approach in tackling this problem. The call for this conference is to move from establishing frameworks and norms on SGBV to Action, which ICGLR fully subscribes to. It can be done if we all play our part!
*Ambassador Liberata Mulamula is the Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
*Please send comments to editor@pambazuka.org or comment online at http://www.pambazuka.org/
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