UNICEF has accused armed combatants in eastern Congo of raping many children amid escalating violence between M23 rebels and government forces. Health facilities reported a sharp rise in rape cases, with 572 incidents in one week alone, reflecting unprecedented levels of sexual violence. The situation is part of broader humanitarian crises in the region, prompting international investigations and responses.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has accused armed combatants in eastern Congo of perpetrating systematic sexual violence, including the rape of numerous children. This alarming assertion comes as clashes between rebel forces, specifically the M23 group, and government troops continue to escalate, leading to severe humanitarian consequences in the mineral-rich Kivu provinces, where the conflict shows no signs of subsiding.
In a statement, UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted the gravity of the situation, indicating that recent reports indicate unprecedented levels of sexual violence against children in these regions. She shared a distressing account from a mother who recounted how her six daughters, the youngest being just 12 years old, were raped by armed men while searching for food.
Health facilities reported a shocking increase in rape incidents, documenting 572 cases during the week from January 27 to February 2, which is more than a fivefold increase compared to the previous week. Out of these, 170 victims were children, underscoring the profound impact of the ongoing violence on the most vulnerable populations.
Lianne Gutcher, UNICEF’s communications chief in Congo, noted that while specific affiliations of the perpetrators remain unclear, it appears that all parties involved in the conflict have committed acts of sexual violence. The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, are notably one of the primary forces in the tumultuous struggle for control over this resource-rich region, which has long been marred by violence and humanitarian crises.
In response to the escalating violence, the United Nations Human Rights Council initiated a commission to investigate the widespread atrocities reported, including sexual violence and summary executions attributed to both the Congolese army and the M23 rebels. Furthermore, the trial of 84 Congolese soldiers charged with serious crimes is currently underway in Bukavu, which remains under government control but faces advancing rebel threats.
Health conditions in Goma are deteriorating, with reports indicating that individuals hospitalized for mpox fled amid the conflict, and approximately 110 patients remain unaccounted for. Additionally, nearly 100 cholera cases have been documented since the onset of the rebels’ offensive, adding to the public health crisis in the city, which is now fully under rebel control.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Roger Kamba, Congo’s Health Minister, mentioned that authorities, assisted by aid organizations, have initiated the delivery of vaccines and medical supplies to Goma through a humanitarian corridor established with the assistance of neighboring Kenya and Rwanda.
In summary, UNICEF has raised grave concerns regarding the alarming increase in sexual violence against children in eastern Congo amid the ongoing conflict between M23 rebels and government forces. The reports of systematic rapes and the overwhelming increase in health crises highlight the deep humanitarian impact of the violence. Initiatives by the United Nations and health authorities aim to address these urgent issues as the region grapples with escalating turmoil.
Original Source: apnews.com
