UN Warns of Escalating Child Abuse in DRC as Peacekeepers Withdraw
The United Nations has confirmed nearly 4,000 violations against children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year. The conflict is escalating, worsening the humanitarian crisis as the U.N. peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, begins to withdraw. A 16-year-old Congolese boy bravely appealed to the U.N. Security Council to safeguard children in the DRC.
The U.N. verified 279 cases of girls and two boys subjected to sexual violence last year, a stark increase in the use of such tactics by armed groups. The boy, who cannot be named for his safety, recounted his abduction and forced recruitment into an armed group. He witnessed and experienced violence firsthand, highlighting the dire situation faced by children in the DRC.
The conflict's intensification has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Despite no external demands, the U.N. peacekeeping mission is withdrawing, raising concerns about the safety of civilians, particularly children. The Congolese authorities have expressed their desire for MONUSCO to remain and continue its work.
The DRC's children face grave dangers, with recruitment, sexual violence, and deaths or maiming on the rise. The U.N. must prioritize their protection as the conflict worsens. The Congolese authorities' call for MONUSCO's continued presence underscores the urgent need for international support.
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