Sexual Violence in War Zones

The top UN official dealing with the issue of sexual violence in conflict, said today (20 December) that "almost all" of the six armed groups that have signed the peace agreement in the Central African Republic, have committed acts of sexual violence. Zainab Hawa Bangura, who is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, noted that "because of the issue of the culture of silence" and the lack of Government control over most of the country, it is difficult to obtain accurate figures on sexual violence. Bangura, who visited the Central African Republic earlier in the month, said that she believed she had "raised the profile of this problem" and had "made them put the problem on the table." While in the CAR, Bangura signed two agreements on conflict-related sexual violence with stakeholders in the country's peace process. The Special Representative noted that in recent weeks there have been numerous army desertions and the Government "now has to depend on Chad" for its security. Two Chadian battalions, at the request of the CAR Government have been fighting rebels in the north of the country, which Bangura said, "gives you an indication that the Government doesn't trust its own army." The official said in addition to focussing greater international attention on the situation in the CAR, the aim of her visit was to gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges involved in addressing conflict-related sexual violence there. She said that if Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon was "aware of the gravity of the situation, what it is happening, I can assure you 100 percent that he will take action." "At the end of the day, Bangura said, "you have to have a security sector reform that will restructure the army and build a professional, well equipped and disciplined army under civilian command." The first of the agreements signed by Bangura and her hosts -- called the Joint Communiqué of the Government of the Central African Republic and the United Nations -- includes commitments to fight impunity for crimes of sexual violence; ensure the protection of women, boys and girls from sexual violence in the context of an effective monitoring of the peace agreement; and, provide greater support to survivors. One of the key points of the second agreement -- the so-called Joint Communiqué of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Steering Committee, which is made up of representatives of the Government, armed groups, the United Nations, and other members of the international community -- is the requirement that political-military groups immediately release vulnerable individuals such as women and children. Sexual violence in the CAR has been reported more often in areas controlled by political-military groups and where other armed forces and bandits are active. There are also serious concerns about foreign armed groups, in particular the LRA and Chadian armed groups. During her visit, the Special Representative met with President François Bozizé, with the Prime Minister and other members of Government, as well as with survivors of sexual violence, women's groups and with female members of parliament. She also visited two regions outside of the capital -- Bria and Paoua.