Cameroon Deploys 7th Contingent to the Central African Republic.
The Government of Cameroon has deployed a contingent of 1150 military graduates to the Central African Republic to join the UN Multidimensional Integration Mission (MINUSCA). At the graduation ceremony for the pre-deployment training Centre of Motcheboum , Minister in Charge of the Armed Forces, Assmo condemned the shameful practices such as sexual predation of women perpetuated against women by the previous contingents that were sent to the Central African Republic. He warned the contingent against committing any crime while deployed. This cohort is the 7th contingent from Cameroon to MINUSCA.
Further Detail Available Here: Cameroon Deploys Soldiers To Central African Republic
A South Sudanese Woman Leading the Way on Peace Building.
Rita Lopidia, a South Sudanese has been awarded the inaugural US Institute of Peace’s Women Building Peace Award. Ms Lopidia was awarded for leading a coalition of women organizations to champion women’s participation in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan as well as providing support for women displaced by South Sudan conflict. The organisation led by Ms Lopidia mobilised the South Sudan Women’s Coalition which eventually became a signatory to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan, with Rita acting as a signatory. The presence of women in the peace process in South Sudan is a testament to her strong advocacy for women inclusion in the process.
Further Details Available Here:https://www.usip.org/2020-women-building-peace-award-recipient-rita-lopidia
Mozambican Woman Stripped Naked and Shot 36 times by Military Men
A video has surfaced online of men in Mozambican army uniforms beating a woman and shooting her 36 times leading to her death. The woman was pregnant at the time of the incident. Groups in the country report rampant military abuses as the army fights continuing Islamist terrorism and attacks on civilians. The Ministry of Defence has condemned the attack and have said that investigation to ascertain the authenticity of the video will begin immediately.
Further Details Available Here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54159307
Hotspots of Sexual and Gender Based Violence Identified in South Africa
As measures to end gender-based violence against women continues, the Government of the Republic of South Africa identifies 30 hotspots where Gender Based Violence and Femicide is most prevalent. In a statement by the President, a surge in GBV and Femicide incidents across the country increased during Level 3 of the lockdown. President Ramaphosa has said that there is going to be an improvement of support services such as psychosocial support, case investigation, housing services and economic empowerment of survivors/ victims in these 30 hotspots.
Further Details Available Here:https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/30-hotspots-identified-around-sa-where-of-gender-based-violence-and-femicide-are-most-rife-20200917
Stiff Penalties for Rapist in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The Governor of Kaduna State in Northern Nigeria, Mallam El Rufai on Wednesday signed the State Penal Code Law 2020 into Law. The Penal Code made provisions for stronger penalties for child rapists. The code recommending surgical castration and removal of fallopian tubes for male and female convicts of rape of children below the age of 14.
Further Details Available Here:https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/el-rufai-signs-new-law-with-stiff-penalty-for-rapists-2/
Botswana Amends Land Policy to Allow Married Women Own Lands
The Government of Botswana revised the 2015 Land Use Policy to allow married women own lands independent of their husbands. Prior to this revision, married women whose husbands already owned lands were not allowed to own lands. Only unmarried woman and women whose husbands did not own land were allowed land ownership. As a critical asset, independent ownership of land is critical to the socio-economic wellbeing of women.
Further Details Available Here:https://www.reuters.com/article/us-botswana-women-landrights-trfn/botswana-opts-to-make-land-owners-of-wives-with-new-law-idUSKBN2682XF
Activist, Dr Stella Nyanzi, arrested at Ugandan Border
The Government of Uganda has arrested Dr Stella Nyanzi at one of the border points between Kenya and Uganda. The notification of arrest was posted on her official Facebook page. News reports state that the activist travelled to Kenya despite the closure of some of the porous land borders and was arrested following her return back to Uganda. Dr Nyanzi has had recurrent issues with the Ugandan government since 2017 including a prolonged trial for insulting the President.
Further Details Available Here:https://www.ntv.co.ug/news/national/Stella-Nyanzi-arrested-at-Busia-border/4522324-5625284-1fku0/index.html
UN Releases Annual Report on Partnership with the AU on Peace and Security
The recently released report of the UN Secretary-General shared updates on strengthening the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union on Peace and Security in Africa. The report identified progress on strategic partnership highlight close coordination on instruments and structures including within the context of COVID. The report also noted the progress on operational partnership including partnership on peacekeeping and peace support operations as well as support to the Office of the Special Envoy on Women Peace and Security on establishing National Chapters of the African Women Leadership Network (AWLN).
Further Details Available Here: http://undocs.org/S/2020/860
