DRC chairs UN Security Council debate on sexual violence in conflict

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) presided over a high-level debate at the United Nations Security Council focused on sexual violence linked to conflicts. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka led the session, themed "Honoring the Promise of International Law to Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence," which aimed to advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.

During the debate, Prime Minister Suminwa stressed that lasting peace cannot be achieved while survivors of sexual violence remain without justice and communities without reparation, especially when perpetrators act with impunity. "Our ambition can no longer be just to document the horror after it has happened," she stated. "The Congolese presidency of the Security Council has chosen to start with the victims, because no peace architecture makes sense if it does not begin with those who have paid the heaviest price of war."

Pramila Patten, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, expressed gratitude to the DRC for bringing this critical issue to the Security Council. "I salute the political courage of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the very first country directly affected by this scourge to convene this debate. It is a positive precedent, a positive example for those who turn a blind eye to sexual violence," Patten said. She added that the promise of international law is under threat and that sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war, with cases on the rise.

The UN has recorded the highest number of verified cases in countries including the DRC, Central African Republic, Colombia, Haiti, and Sudan. The high-level debate provided a platform for member states to voice their concerns and demand the effective implementation of Security Council resolutions addressing sexual violence. The DRC's leadership in chairing this discussion underscores its commitment to tackling this pervasive issue.

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Notre ambition ne peut plus être seulement de documenter l’horreur après qu’elle a eu lieu. La présidence congolaise du Conseil de sécurité a choisi de commencer par les victimes, parce qu’aucune architecture de paix n’a de sens si elle ne part pas de celles et ceux qui ont payé le prix le plus lourd de la guerre.