UNICEF has accused armed groups in eastern Congo of committing numerous rapes against children amidst escalating violence. Reports indicate an alarming increase in sexual abuse cases as conflict between M23 rebels and government forces continues. Health facilities documented over 500 cases of sexual violence, with both factions suspected of involvement.
UNICEF has recently made alarming accusations against armed groups in eastern Congo, alleging that they have raped numerous children amid escalating violence in the region. Reports indicate that violations, including sexual assaults, have surged significantly as both M23 rebels and government forces engage in a fierce conflict, particularly in North and South Kivu provinces. The United Nations children’s fund emphasized the severity of these violations, with its Executive Director, Catherine Russell, highlighting a pervasive pattern of abuse.
Health facilities reported a staggering increase in cases of rape, counting 572 incidents during the last week of January alone—a fivefold rise from the preceding week. UNICEF’s communication chief in Congo, Lianne Gutcher, confirmed that among the victims, 170 were children, underscoring the brutal impact of the conflict on vulnerable populations. Though specific affiliations of the offenders remain unclear, it is suspected that all factions in the conflict are involved in these atrocities.
The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, continue to be a dominant force among over a hundred armed groups competing for control in Congo’s mineral-rich eastern regions. This ongoing conflict has resulted in one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, particularly as M23 captured Goma, the main city in the region, intensifying the situation. In response to the violence, the United Nations Human Rights Council has initiated an inquiry into the reported atrocities, including sexual violence and extrajudicial killings.
In a concurrent trial, 84 Congolese soldiers are facing charges for serious crimes such as murder and rape, reflecting the grim judicial responses to the conflict’s violence. Meanwhile, Goma has witnessed a surge in health crises, including cholera, as the city, now under rebel control, grapples with inadequate medical care. Health Minister Roger Kamba noted that many patients fled hospitals amid the chaos, with 110 of them remaining unaccounted for since the uprising began.
The situation in eastern Congo is dire, marked by severe violations against children, particularly rape, during ongoing conflicts involving armed groups and government forces. Reports from UNICEF reveal an alarming increase in such incidents, highlighting a deepening humanitarian crisis in the region, exacerbated by the recent capture of Goma by M23 rebels. International authorities are beginning to take steps to investigate these violations, yet the scale of the atrocities necessitates urgent action and support for the victims.
Original Source: apnews.com
