IANSA Update 25 January 2008

DRC: Government and rebels agree peace pact in North and South Kivu
Sudan: Armed bandits disrupt aid; gun violence in IDP camps
Guatemala: Gunshot survivors headed for the Paralympics?
Other news: Report on arms embargoes; cooperation between Uganda and South Sudan; Adéle Kirsten in new job; new bulletins; Vacancies in UK and Canada

DRC: Government and rebels agree peace pact in North and South Kivu

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a peace deal on Wednesday with several armed groups, including the rebel army led by renegade General Laurent Nkunda. The agreement aims to end the fighting that has driven half a million people from their homes in the eastern regions of North and South Kivu. Some rebel troops will be integrated into the national army; others will be repatriated to their countries of origin. Rebel leaders have been granted an amnesty, but this may not extend to war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. Read more here.

Sudan: Armed bandits disrupt aid; gun violence in IDP camps

Armed bandits are disrupting the ability of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver food to people affected by the conflict in Darfur (Sudan). This month, 23 trucks carrying food have been hijacked, and 19 drivers are missing. In December, the WFP estimates that it could not reach 106 000 vulnerable people because of insecurity. Read more here.

Guns are easily available in the Sudanese camps of internally displaced persons (IDPs), according to a report by Amnesty International. The report also examines widespread sexual violence in and around the camps. It recommends that the UN protection force (UNAMID) patrol the camps to provide security. The UN estimates that over 2 million people are displaced in Darfur. Read more here.

Guatemala: Gunshot survivors headed for the Paralympics?
Congratulations to Guatemalan IANSA member Transitions for its silver medal at the Central America and Caribbean wheelchair basketball tournament in Mexico, 15-20 January. Transitions and the Mexican team Diablos now go to the Tournament of the Americas in Brazil, which serves as a qualifying event for the Paralympics. The wheelchair basketball team is one of the programs run by Transitions for gunshot survivors and other young people with disabilities in Guatemala. Read more here.

Other news

• An assessment of the 27 UN arms embargoes since 1990 has been published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). One recommendation from the report is that the UN Security Council should urge states to make breaking an arms embargo a criminal offence. Read more here.
• The governments of Uganda and South Sudan have agreed to implement a strategy to reduce arms trafficking across their borders. Read more here.
• Congratulations to IANSA member Adèle Kirsten for her new job as Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in South Africa.
• The latest bulletins from DAGROPASS (Burundi) and DAKS (Germany) are now available:
  DAGROPASS
  DAKS
• Conciliation Resources (CR), an international NGO that supports community-based organisations transform violent conflict into sustainable development, is seeking a full time fundraising coordinator in London. Candidates should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and at least two years' fundraising experience. IANSA job board.
• The Nobel Women's Initiative is seeking a media and communications officer to be based in Ottawa, Canada. IANSA job board.

Join the IANSA Women's Network: email women@iansa.org

Join the Million Faces petition in support of a global Arms Trade Treaty