Congo-Kinshasa: Thousands of children face growing violence and exploitation amid escalating conflict

Children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remain deeply affected by the conflict, facing an increase in serious violations, according to the latest UN Secretary-General’s report on children and armed conflict in the DRC .

Covering the period from April 2022 to March 2024, the report reveals an 8% increase in verified violations compared to the previous period, with the recruitment and use, abduction, and killing and mutilation of children being the most common violations.

This increase is particularly worrying in the context of the withdrawal of MONUSCO in some areas of the country and raises the importance of ensuring sufficient resources to continue child protection efforts.

“I am appalled by the sharp increase in the killing and maiming of children due to military operations, clashes between parties, attacks on civilian communities and in the context of intercommunal violence, all of which affect children,” said Virginia Gamba. , the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. “We call on all parties to refrain from targeting children and civilians in general and to take all necessary measures to minimize the effect of their activities on civilians, including by refraining from using explosive weapons in populated areas.”

The DRC maintains its status as one of the most dangerous places in the world for children, with 8,208 serious violations verified against 6,196 children. Armed groups were responsible for 98 percent of these violations, with North and South Kivu provinces remaining the epicenters of violence.

Recruitment and use remained the most widespread violation, with 4,006 children forcibly taken into the ranks of armed groups, often through abduction. Abduction cases totaled 2,028, a significant increase from the previous period, with children often subjected to other violations, including sexual violence or participation in combat.

The report also shows a significant increase in child victims, with 1,298 children killed or maimed. . The conflict in the eastern provinces, especially North Kivu and Ituri, has deteriorated significantly. Massacres, displacement and attacks on civilian infrastructure have intensified, particularly in areas controlled by armed groups such as M23 and CODECO.

Cases of sexual violence against children remained high. With girls as young as 12 abducted and subjected to forced marriage, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual abuse. “I urge the Government to prioritize the prevention and accountability of sexual violence, which has remained the violation most attributed to government security forces,” the Special Representative added.

Attacks on schools and hospitals continued, with 193 verified incidents, while the military’s use of schools disrupted the education of more than 2.7 million children, further exposing them to the risk of recruitment and exploitation.

Engagement and progress for children

Despite the dire situation for children in the DRC, significant progress has been made towards improving their protection and ensuring their rights. The DRC government continued to demonstrate its commitment to child protection by implementing key aspects of its 2012 Action Plan to prevent the recruitment and use of children and sexual violence against children by its armed and security forces. During the reporting period, joint screening mechanisms between the FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC) and the United Nations remained operational, ensuring that underage recruits were identified and excluded from the military ranks.

In addition, the Government took steps to hold perpetrators accountable, prosecuting members of both armed groups and state forces involved in serious violations against children. Training sessions on conflict-related sexual violence and child protection were also held for FARDC personnel, further underscoring the Government’s commitment to addressing these violations.

One of the most notable areas of progress has been the continued release and reintegration of children associated with armed groups. Through advocacy efforts and dialogue facilitated by the United Nations, armed groups have freed thousands of children, many of whom were subjected to harrowing experiences, including abduction, exploitation and violence. More than 12,000 children formerly associated with armed groups and other vulnerable children in host communities received support for community reintegration, socioeconomic and school reintegration, as well as psychosocial and mental health support. These programs are crucial to help children rebuild their lives and avoid re-recruitment.

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