Children and conflicts in Sudan, Congo and Uganda

DIIS conference 8.12.06 Birgit Lundbak

It is common feature that children are suffering in Sudan, Congo and Uganda.

- Children killed or maimed- Exposed to exploitation and violence.- Recruited - Living as IDPs – separated from families.- Dying from malnutrition and illnesses

In Uganda this has been particularly visible.

- 24.000 children abducted.- -5000 unaccounted for – most of them

probably killed- 1 million in camps – with excess

mortality, no social services, no education – no hope.

- Children as levers for change?

The night commuters….

Uganda:

Save the Children active in the North since 1994- Psychosocial support- Education- Hiv/Aids work- Livelihoods- Advocacy

A war against children

”I would say this is perhaps the most under-reported story in the world today. Because where else would there be 10.000 kidnapped children in the course of only 18 months who have been terrorized into becoming killing machines, terrorized into attacking their own villages, killingtheir own relatives.

Jan Egeland, 14.04.04

Since 2006 LRA is de facto on the Security councils agenda with res. 1653 and 1663 of 2006.

- Presidential Statement of 16.11.06.- Appointment of a Special Envoy

30.11.06This is the result of intense advocacy by

a number of civil society coalitions and likeminded governments.

The peace negotiations in Juba a result of many pressures:

- From the international community (SC)

- Increased national attention - The International Criminal Court

The peace negotiations seen as the best chance to end the conflict.

Again the international community was slow to offer support.

The SC-Presidential statement was a great step forward.

A long process envisaged.

Our key points: The LRA leadership must release all

women and children LRA has said we have no children – only

combatants.SC together with Unicef are planning

for the return – and are preparing two centres in Sudan to provide support to children in the transition process.

Improve living conditions for civilians in northern Uganda

Support return and resettlement activities.

Protection of the population from violence, deprivation and coercion – police, justice and security

A national reconciliation plan.

Establish an effective civilian infrastructure and an equitable approach to the issue of land rights

The GoU should take concrete steps to account for all missing children

Access to a completely free and mandatory primary education

Children as levers for change – calling on the moral conscience of the international community.

10 years advocacy for children affected by armed conflict is yielding results

• Graca Machel study – 1996: Impact of armed conflict on children

• Appointment of a Special Representative for children in armed conflict.

• Annual report, debate og resolution (4). • ”Naming og shaming” of countries.• Res 1612, 2005 Monitoring og Reporting. • Danmark has played an active role.

Security council:

– Security Council working group – meets every second month.

– Task forces established in the 7 M and R countries

– 2 reports received: Congo and Sudan.

– Uganda agreed to be part of M and R.