Joint Statement of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence, Zainab Hawa Bangura, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui

NEW YORK, July 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Appointment of Presidential Adviser on Sexual Violence and Child Recruitment marks a new dawn in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence and child recruitment and use in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui welcome the appointment by H.E. President Joseph Kabila of Jeannine Mabunda Lioko Mudiayi as Presidential Adviser on Sexual Violence and Child Recruitment in the DRC.

The appointment is a demonstration of President Kabila’s personal commitment to the fight against conflict-related sexual violence and recruitment and use of children in the DRC. It comes at a crucial moment when the Government of DRC is moving forward and asserting greater ownership in the fight to end conflict-related sexual violence and the recruitment and use of children in its armed forces.

SRSGs Bangura and Zerrougui pledge their full support and collaboration with the Presidential Representative and call on civil society, service providers, NGOs and UN partners to rally behind her to make her work successful.

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