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Getting Serious about Ending Conflict and Sexual Violence in Congo

Current Situation

Recent U.S.-led efforts to end the crisis in the east- The Numbers ern Democratic Republic of Congo have yielded a • 5.4 million people have died since 1998 ceasefire, but the conflict is not over, and the inter- • 45,000 Congolese—half of them children—will die national community must follow through on recent this and every month from hunger, preventable progress with a comprehensive strategy for eastern diseases, violence, and displacement Congo. Congolese women and girls in particular • National mortality rate is nearly 60% higher than bear the vicious brunt of this crisis. The policies the sub-Saharan average needed to better protect women and girls in Congo are closely linked to peacemaking and conflict pre- vention. Ending the conflict will enable women and girls to participate in the healing and reconstruction communities. When women’s economic activities of their families, communities and country. are hindered by fear of sexual violence, women and their families suffer. It is not just armed groups Key Terms that are guilty of rape; rapes committed by civilians are on the rise. Although the Congolese govern- ment modified their laws and penalties on rape, a Forces Armées de la République Démocratique culture of impunity exists because of the absence du Congo (FARDC)—The Congolese Army is weak, of a Congolese state. ill-disciplined, and responsible for human rights abuses on a colossal scale Timeline of a Year of Conflict in the Congo —President of the Democratic Repub- lic of Congo December 2006—Under the terms of a shaky truce, the Congolese Army and General Nkunda agreed Laurent Nkunda—a dissident Congolese to “mix” their forces and attack the FDLR; this General with at least 3,000 loyal forces that have led to a brutal counterinsurgency campaign and carved out control of parts of Province displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and commit grave human rights abuses June 2007—The “mixing” collapsed and President Rwandan Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Kabila rejected talks with Nkunda (FDLR)—a militia composed of more than 6,000 Rwandan rebels, many with links to the November 2007—20,000 Congolese troops de- 1994 genocide in their home country ployed to North Kivu, and some units are aligned with the FDLR and other militias Rape as a Weapon of War December 2007—Congolese Army launched an of- Rape as a weapon of war is causing the near total fensive against Nkunda and lost, causing even more destruction of women, their families and their civilian displacement; recent reports estimate nearly www.enoughproject.org

170,000 people are living in camps in North Kivu

December 24, 2007—Nkunda declared a ceasefire acknowl- edging the importance of an upcoming conference aimed at finding a political solution

A Communiqué, Ceasefire and Con- ference

The Nairobi Communiqué— On November 9, 2007, the governments of Congo and Rwanda released an agree- ment with pluses and minuses that addresses the threat posed by the FDLR.

Goma Peace Conference—1500 people represent- • Focus on a basic “carrot and stick” approach to ing civil society, armed groups and the Congolese deal with the FDLR government attended the Conference. Protection Ceasefire—After two weeks of bare-knuckled • Increase MONUC presence in North and South diplomacy, the Congolese government, ten armed Kivu and deploy forces where women and girls groups from North Kivu, and 13 armed groups are most vulnerable in eastern Congo from South Kivu signed an agreement. • Use humanitarian and development funding to respond to and help prevent sexual violence Now the Real Work Begins… • The U.S. Senate must pass the International A Comprehensive Strategy for Peace: Violence Against Women Act (S. 2779) The 3 P’s Punishment Peacemaking • Support the Congolese government in investigat- • Sustain the momentum- the US, EU, UN, and AU ing, arresting and trying suspected criminals must formalize a “quartet” and establish full- • Open an International Criminal Court time diplomatic teams based in the region that investigation will maintain coordinated pressure on the par- ties to implement the ceasefire And the 4th P—Preventing Sexual Violence— • Maintain and consolidate the ceasefire- the support Security Sector Reform (SSR)—restruc- quartet must work to ensure all parties adhere turing and training the military and police to to the ceasefire and that there is support for more effectively secure the country. demobilization and stabilization programs