Armed men in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have raped hundreds of children and recruited child soldiers at alarming rates, according to a statement released by UNICEF on Thursday. The conflict in the mineral-rich region has intensified in recent weeks, with over 100 armed groups vying for control, exacerbating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell described the situation as dire, stating, “In the North and South Kivu provinces, we are receiving horrific reports of grave violations against children by parties to the conflict, including rape and other forms of sexual violence at levels surpassing anything we have seen in recent years.” She shared a harrowing account from a mother whose six daughters, the youngest just 12 years old, were systematically raped by armed men while searching for food.
The M23 rebels, the most prominent armed group in the region, captured Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, in late January, marking a significant escalation in the years-long conflict with government forces. During the week of January 27 to February 2, health facilities reported 572 rape cases, a more than fivefold increase compared to the previous week. Of those cases, 170 involved children, according to Lianne Gutcher, UNICEF’s Chief of Communications in the DRC.
While the perpetrators of these rapes are armed men, it remains unclear which specific group or army they belong to. Gutcher noted, “It is suspected that all parties to the conflict committed sexual violence.”
In response to the escalating violence, the United Nations Human Rights Council has launched a commission to investigate atrocities, including rapes and summary executions, committed by both the Congolese army and M23 rebels since the beginning of the year. Additionally, 84 Congolese soldiers accused of crimes against civilians, including murder and rape, were put on trial earlier this week.
The conflict in eastern DRC continues to devastate communities, with hospitals overwhelmed by the wounded and supplies running critically low. The international community faces mounting pressure to address the crisis and protect vulnerable populations, particularly children, from further harm.
