Open letter to Ugandan President and LRA Leader

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