UNICEF has accused armed groups in eastern Congo, including M23 rebels and government forces, of raping numerous children in violation of their rights. In a troubling development, healthcare facilities reported a surge in rape cases, particularly among minors. The unfolding humanitarian crisis calls for urgent international attention to the grave abuses occurring in the conflict zone.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has alleged that armed groups in eastern Congo have perpetrated acts of sexual violence against numerous children amid the ongoing conflict. Reports suggest that both M23 rebels and government forces are implicated in these grave violations. UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, voiced concerns regarding the increasing reports of such abuses in the North and South Kivu provinces, underscoring the alarming nature of the situation.
Catherine Russell detailed a harrowing account shared by a mother whose six daughters, the youngest being merely 12 years old, were forcibly raped while they were foraging for food. In a staggering increase, health facilities recorded 572 cases of rape during the span of just one week, revealing a fivefold rise from previous counts, with 170 victims being children.
It remains uncertain which specific armed groups were responsible for the recorded rapes; however, Lianne Gutcher, UNICEF’s communications chief in Congo, indicated that suspicions extend to all parties engaged in the conflict. The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, are a significant faction among over 100 armed groups competing for control in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo.
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the United Nations Human Rights Council has established a commission tasked with investigating atrocities, including sexual violence, committed by both the Congolese army and M23 rebels. Currently, a trial is underway in Bukavu involving 84 Congolese soldiers facing charges of murder and rape amid growing tensions.
In light of the unrest, Congo’s Health Minister, Roger Kamba, reported that healthcare facilities are overwhelmed. Notably, 143 patients undergoing treatment for mpox escaped from hospitals in Goma amid the rebel offensives, and nearly 100 cases of cholera have been documented. Despite the chaos, efforts are ongoing to provide essential medical supplies to the affected regions through humanitarian corridors.
The recent allegations by UNICEF regarding the systematic rape of children in eastern Congo highlight the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in the region. The reports of increasing sexual violence by both M23 rebels and government forces must prompt immediate international attention and action. As humanitarian efforts continue amidst escalating violence, the situation remains critical for the vulnerable populations affected by the conflict.
Original Source: apnews.com
