11/11/13 UN News Center: UN and partners voice regret at delay in signing of DR Congo-M23 peace deal

The joint statement by the
Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson, his
Special Representative for DRC, Martin Kobler, United States Special Envoy for
the Great Lakes region and the DRC Russ Feingold, African Union Special
Representative Boubacar Diarra, and European Union Senior Coordinator for the
Great Lakes region Koen Vervaeke comes nearly a week after the group welcomed
the announcement by the M23 that it is ending its bloody insurgency against the
DRC Government.

The talks in the Ugandan
capital of Kampala
were aimed at reaching a final and principled agreement that ensures the
disarmament and demobilization of the M23 and accountability for human rights
abuses.

“The Envoys note that the parties have expressed
no differences on substantive points within the draft document. However,
agreement on the format has not yet been reached. Despite a change in the
military situation, it is important that there be a political conclusion to the
dialogue,” said the statement.

“The Envoys urge the parties to resolve the
differences relating to the format of the document and to remain committed to a
peaceful settlement of the conflict.

“The Envoys further emphasize that any solution
must allow the pursuit of accountability for those who have committed war
crimes, crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, including those involving
sexual violence and recruitment of child soldiers, and other gross violations
of human rights.”

Meanwhile, another senior
UN official issued a statement today, calling for greater commitment and focus
to “turn the tide” on conflict-related sexual violence in DRC.

“Accountability for sexual violence is critical
for deterrence and ultimately the prevention of these crimes,” said the
Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict,
Zainab Hawa Bangura.

She noted the
“unprecedented” measures announced by President Joseph Kabila to tackle the
scourge, including his decision to appoint a Presidential Representative on
Sexual Violence and Child Recruitment and his call for the creation of
specialized chambers to prosecute international crimes.

While the measures
represent a greater commitment and focus to eradicate conflict-related sexual
violence, “commitments must be turned to concrete action – action that can and
must turn the tide on this unacceptable crime.”

In light of the recent end
to the conflict with the M23, the envoy urged Mr. Kabila to ensure that proper
screening and vetting take place so that perpetrators of sexual violence and
other egregious human rights violations are not integrated into the national
security forces.

The M23 – composed of
soldiers who mutinied from the DRC national army in April – along with other
armed groups, has clashed repeatedly with the FARDC. In the past year, the
fighting has displaced more than 100,000 people, exacerbating an ongoing
humanitarian crisis in the region which includes 2.6 million internally
displaced persons and 6.4 million in need of food and emergency aid.