A Congolese teenager appealed to the U.N. Security Council Wednesday to protect children in his country, where conflict between the military and armed groups in the country's east is exacting an appalling toll on children.
New York — A Congolese teenager appealed to the U.N. Security Council Wednesday to protect children in his country, where conflict between the military and armed groups in the country's east is exacting an appalling toll on children.
More than 1,800 children were recruited by armed groups last year, according to the annual U.N. report that verifies violations against children. More than 650 children were verified to have been killed or maimed last year, the majority by three armed groups -- CODECO, the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, and M23. Thirty child casualties were attributed to the army and police.
After three years in the bush and losing hope of ever seeing his family again, one day he took his chance and escaped while out searching for food. Found by the army, he was taken into custody and briefly sent to a military prison. He went through demobilization rehabilitation and has now returned to school. But not all children are as fortunate.
Chaiban said it is especially worrying that the conflict is intensifying at the same time the large U.N. peacekeeping mission is beginning to leave the country, at the government's request. In Goma, capital of North Kivu province, instances of sexual violence in the first half of 2024 were double the amount recorded over the same time last year, from 7,500 reported cases to 15,000, said Francois Moreillon, the International Committee of the Red Cross's head of delegation in DRC.There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.
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