Dear Excellency, President Museveni and General Kony
We, the women from the Greater North of Uganda, national and international women's organizations welcome your efforts for peace, in particular your engagement in the most recent peace process.
As you know the people of the Greater North have suffered in this conflict. Over 1 million of us have been displaced from our homes, much violence and brutality has occurred, we have not been able to farm our land, grow our crops, we have not been able to educate our children, we have not seen development and progress in the Greater North because of this conflict. There has been widespread violence including sexual violence committed against women predominantly by the LRA, but also by the UPDF and others. Our communities have disintegrated from within due to the pressure of our collective poverty, suffering and lack of justice.
We would like to congratulate you both, for your leadership in guiding your respective delegations during the most recent Peace Talks process. As you know women from the Greater North were very active in this process particularly since the negotiations on Agenda Item 3 on Accountability and Reconciliation. As women's rights and peace activists, as mothers, as women who have lost family members in this conflict and who have been harmed ourselves, we participated in the Government Consultations and the Consultations held by the LRA/M in 2007 to put forward our views, demands and desires regarding peace, accountability and reconciliation. We participated in the resumed Peace Talks from January-March 2008. We have encouraged both parties to negotiate, to find a way forward, to stay committed to the ending of the conflict and to accountability.
In April we went to Rik-wang-Ba for the signing of the final Peace Agreement but our hopes were dashed when General Kony did not sign. We have been disappointed many times since then as the final agreement remains unresolved.
We are very concerned by the military offensive against the LRA launched in December 2008 by the Governments of Uganda, DRC and Southern Sudan. We are concerned by the reports of loss of life within the LRA especially of those who were themselves abducted into the militia group. We are in solidarity with the loss of innocent lives in the attacks within the DRC and Southern Sudan since the offensive was launched. We are also in solidarity with all women and communities affected by conflicts especially in the Great Lakes region.
We are not convinced every effort was made during 2008 by the Government, the Mediation Team, the United Nations, the LRA, the donors and the international community to secure a peaceful resolution. Specifically we note the absence of the necessary political will and determination to complete the peace process which we found to be inexplicable given the negotiations were finalized and the resources available for this process were significant. We also note that the conflict does not seem any closer to ending as a result of the current military action.
Our message to you as women from the Greater North is that we want peace - peace with reconciliation; peace with truth-telling; peace with forgiveness; peace with justice; peace to harmonise and restore our communities.
Mr President and General Kony, as Leaders in this conflict we call upon you both to establish an immediate ceasefire with the following requirements:
1. That the LRA is provided with safe passage to immediately assemble in the designated area in the Rik-wang-Ba National Park as outlined in the Peace Agreements;
2. That the LRA release women and children from their group;
3. That the Government of Uganda work closely with the United Nations and other international agencies in preparation for the return of the women and children from the LRA to ensure their safety, the provision of treatment, assessment and adequate medical and psychological support, and their ultimate return to their communities. The engagement of women, traditional and religious leaders in this process is also vital;
4. That the final peace agreement between the Government of Uganda and the LRA is signed.
This letter is supported by 250 local and national Ugandan NGOs along with organizations from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan the Central African Republic and international networks and organizations around the world.
Sincerely
1. Greater North Women's Voices for Peace Network, Uganda 2. Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice 3. Uganda National NGO Forum - (Membership of over 360 NGOs) 4. Survivor Corps - (Uganda) 5. Kitgum Women's Peace Initiatives (KIWEPI) 6. Kitgum Concerned Women Association 7. Teso Women Peace Activists (TEPPA) 8. Kitonyounai Women Peace Group 9. Mother's Union Lango Dioces 10. Lango Female Clan Leaders 11. National Association of Women Association of Uganda (NAWOU) Lira Chapter 12. Lira Women Peace Initiatives 13. Lira Women Widows and Orphan Care 14. Ocok Can Women Association APAC 15. Catholic Women Guild, Lira Dioces 16. Gulu Women for Peace, Reconciliation and Resettlement (GUWOPAR) 17. Teso Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Women in Development (TERREWODE) 18. Otingite- BA Women's Peace Group, KATAKWI 19. Totodwe Women's Group 20. Boma North Female Youth Tailoring Group 21. Apiri Women in Development 22. Agurut Aigesigesitoi Widow Group 23. Kumi Women's Peace Initiatives for Development 24. Teso, Karamoja Women Initiatives for Peace 25. Lokinyinyir Women's Group 26. Lokiderider Women's Group 27. Nakerei Women's Group 28. Abim Mother's Union 29. Apurwonpit Women's Group 30. Cidkwok Women's Group 31. Aware-Uganda (Action and Awakening women in rural areas) 32. Saint Monica Women's Group 33. Karamoja Rural Women Association (KARWA) 34. Karenga Widows Association in Development 35. Mandelo Women's Group 36. Nakapiripirit Catholic Church Women's Group 37. Kakamongole Mandela Women's Peace Group 38. Namalu Women's Development Association (NAWODA) 39. Lolacat Mother's Union Group 40. Nabilatuk Mother's Union Group 41. Lorengeduat Women's Peace Group 42. Kimaumau Women's Peace Group in Iriir sub county 43. Nakamilit Women's Group 44. Iriir Mother Union Group 45. Matany Women's Health Group 46. Lotimong Women's Group (Lopei sub-county) 47. Lokopo Women's Peace Group 48. Matany TBS Women's Group (deals with HIV/AIDS) 49. Uganda Girl Guides Association from KUMI 50. Ongino Women in Development Initiatives 51. Okouba Agro- Processors Women's Group 52. Kumi Muslim Women's Association 53. Uganda Women's Effort to Save Orphans (Kumi) 54. Kumi Women in Development Sacco 55. Teso- Karamoja Women Initiatives for Peace 56. Mother's Union (Kumi) 57. Iteso Cultural Union 58. Kumi District Widows Association 59. Kidongole Mother's Union 60. Kolir Women Peace Promoters 61. Kamatur Women's Peace Group 62. Komomngomeri Women's Peace Group 63. Aminit Women's Group 64. Tajar Women's Group 65. Prime Age Women Group 66. Grassroots Women Association for Development 67. Cam Nono Ber Ki Winyo Women Group 68. Nen Ayim Women Organisation 69. Empowering Hands 70. Kwo Lonyo Women Group 71. Can Pe Rom Widows Group 72. Old Age 73. Tegot Development Association 74. Ribbe Ber Saccocs Group 75. Wil Layibi Community 76. Women for Development 77. Women Economic Empowerment 78. Gulu Women Tailor Association 79. Layibi Women Housing Association 80. Ma Lubanga Omiyo Women Group 81. Gulu Women Fish Monger Association 82. Mak Matic Women Network 83. Lacankwite Women Group 84. Tailoring Group 85. Acholi Cultural Foundation 86. Women's Fellowship Fund Guide Group 87. Ushindi Women Group Kisugu 88. Mercy Group 89. Tute Keni Group 90. United Brick Construction 91. Amuka Construction 92. Techenica Group 93. Cobra Group Ribe 94. Juakali Group 95. Good Samaritan 96. In Need Northern Youth Group 97. Ber Iywe Group 98. Kaka Nyero Group 99. Nyeko Rac Group 100. Lango Cultural Group 101. Akonyi Ki Bedo Group 102. Mami Sport Group 103. Trinity Group 104. Kony Peko Group 105. Peko Rom Group 106. Business Group 107. Pimewa Group 108. Tem Ki Kom Group 109. Awara Awara Group 110. Docus Widows Group 111. Good Samaritan Ministry 112. Pi Tek Awaro Women's Group 113. Pe Nonge Labedo Women's Group 114. Uganda Microfinance Organisation 115. Kitgum Women Association 116. Gulu Dairy Farmer's Association 117. Lamogi Women's Leaders Association 118. Paimol Women Dancers Group 119. Te Got Development Association Koc Goma 120. Lapono Women Cultural Group 121. Gulu Venders Women's Group 122. Kainkono Boda Boda Cyclists 123. Pur Ber Group 124. Awaru Group 125. Charcoal Department 126. Rib Rok 127. Odomit Group 128. Paco Ripo Dano 129. Cam Kiwedu Group 130. Can Kelopeko Group 131. Can Rom Group 132. Can Pe Tum Group 133. Timkikomi 134. Watute Group 135. Can Odiya Group 136. Ribe Ber 137. Kwo Ki Lawoti 138. Ribe Ayeteko 139. Sallon Group 140. Kuwe Group 141. Latic Omyero 142. Atimaang Group 143. Cam- Kilawoti Group 144. Mina Women's Group 145. Pit Ondong Ki Mon Women's Group 146. Rubanga Aye Miyo Group 147. Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) 148. Salmmah Women's Resource Centre 149. The Gender Centre for Research and Training 150. SEEMA Center for Training and Protection of Women and Child's Rights 151. Women Empowerment for Peace & Development 152. The Family and Child Friends organization 153. Al-Khatim Adlan centre for Enlightenment and Human development 154. Darfur Bar Association 155. Teacher First for Training & Research (ALAM) 156. Sudanese Center for Trade Union & Human Rights 157. Agri Peace for Development 158. Someit for peace and Human Rights 159. Vigilance for Development 160. Sudanese Monitoring for Human Rights 161. Sudan Liberation Movement SLM/Women Bureau/France 162. Sudanese Studies Center 163. Khartoum Center for Human Rights & Environmental Development 164. Skills Development Society 165. Alg Press and Media Center 166. Sudanese Development Association 167. Environmentalist Society 168. Sudanese Organization for Research and Development( SORD) 169. Zenab for Women Development 170. Peace Bridge Association 171. National Democratic Alliance 172. Sudanese Youth Development Association 173. Shams Association for Development 174. Friends of Children Society 175. Music for All 176. Omelhuda Women for Peace & Development 177. Asmaa Association 178. Amel Center 179. Coexistance & Development Organization 180. Corporacion Humanas 181. Global Centre for Women's Leadership 182. femLINKPACIFIC:Media Initiatives for Women 183. Rwanda Association of University Women 184. Global Justice Centre 185. JASS 186. CREA 187. Association for Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support Programme 188. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom 189. Nobel Women's Initiative 190. International Women's Tribune Centre 191. Women's Action for Change, Fiji 192. Centre for International Governance and Justice, Australian National University 193. La Cuerda 194. Agenda Feminista 195. Unión Nacional de Mujeres de Guatemala UNAMG Sector de Mujeres 196. Lesbiradas 197. Fundación Myrna Mack 198. Colectivo Ecologista Madreselva 199. Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo 200. Coordinadora Nacional de Viudas de Guatemala CONAVIGUA 201. H.I.J.O.S. 202. Centro de Acción Legal para la defensa de los Derechos Humanos CALDH 203. Seguridad en Democracia SEDEM 204. Oficina de Derechos Humanos del Arzobispado de Guatemala ODHAG 205. Actions des Femmes pour les Droits et le Développement (AFD) 206. Association des Femmes pour la promotion et le Développement Endogéne (AFPDE) 207. Association de lutte pour la promotion et la défense des Droits de la Femme et de l'Enfant (ALUDROF) 208. Association pour la Défense des Droits des Femmes (ADDF) 209. Solidarité des Femmes en Difficultés (SOFED) 210. Aide aux Femmes victimes des conflits Armés (AFEVICA) 211. Promotion des Droits de l'Enfant et de la Femmes (PRODEF) 212. Femmes unies pour la charité et le bien être communautaire (FUCBC) femmes Large unions de femmes pour le Développement (LUFED) 213. Fédération des Femmes pour la paix et le Développement (FEPADE) 214. Centre pour l'Education Animation et Défense de Droits de l'homme (CEADHO) 215. Groupe de Réflexion et d'Actions pour les Initiative des femmes et l'autopromotion (GRAIFA) 216. Fondation Femme plus (FFP) 217. Association des Juristes du Sud-Kivu (AJUSKI) 218. Charité pour tous 219. Association des mamans Chrétiennes aux secours des vulnérables (AMCAV) 220. Dynamique pour la solidarité des Femmes (DSF) 221. Cadre de concertation pour les Actions de paix (CCAP) 222. Initiative des Femmes pour le Développement l'Autopromotion et la paix (IFDAP) 223. Centre d'Etude et de promotion des Femmes (CEPROF) 224. Solidarité Echange pour le développement Intégral (SEDI) 225. Une Femmes qui en soulève une autre (FESA) 226. Solidarité et paix pour le Développement Intégré (SOFEPADI) 227. Centre d'Encadrement des Femmes Enfant désertés pour l'Auto promotion (CEFEDA) 228. SOFEPADI-Beni s 229. CAF-Beni 230. FJDF-Butembo 231. EVA-Butembo 232. SOFEPADI-Bunia 233. FOMI-Bunia 234. PAPHY-Bunia 235. ASSOMARPI-Bunia 236. Caucus-Bukavu 237. SFVS-Goma 238. Termitière-Kalemie 239. SAFI-Maniema 240. EFIM-Goma 241. CERDF-Kisangani 242. AFPDI 243. NDJF 244. RAF-Kinshasa 245. Ouvrier du Monde-Bukavu 246. EFIMEAC 247. AFEPANOKI 248. Coalition Congolaise pour la Justice Transitionnelle 249. Organisation pour la Compassion et le Développement des Familles en Détresse OCODEFAD, CAR 250. Mouvement pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme et l'Action Humanitaire MDDH
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