The International Criminal Court meets the people of Mahagi and Aru in Ituri

From 1 to 7 April, the Outreach Unit of the Court paid a visit to Mahagi and Aru, two territories situated some 250 km north of Bunia, the capital of Ituri.

The mission focused on three main activities: screening of the summaries of recent court sittings in the Lubanga trial, setting up of new listening clubs and meeting with recently appointed local political and administrative authorities. The Court team had fruitful exchanges with local authorities which are fundamental in facilitating access to the inhabitants of these remote areas. Thus, more than 2,600 people watched Court-produced video recordings summarising judicial developments in the Lubanga trial. They all expressed the wish for such meetings to be organised more regularly. In response to local concerns, the Outreach team and local NGOs agreed to set up two viewing sites, one in Mahagi and the other in Aru.

Finally, 12 new listening clubs were set up in these villages, bringing to a total of 42 the number of listening clubs in the district. These listening clubs are an important link with the Court at the local level, as they provide a forum for interested persons to meet, listen to and discuss radio broadcasts concerning the Court.

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For further information, please contact the Field Outreach Unit in Ituri by telephone on: +243 998 011 418 or by email: [email protected]