DR Congo unrest: (82) Children freed from militia, says UN

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo says that 82 children - some as young as eight - have been rescued from an armed group.

Monusco says the children, including 13 girls, had been forcibly recruited in the past six months by the Mai Mai Bakata Katanga militia.

The group is active in Katanga province in the south-east of the country.

Forty of the rescued children have been reunited with their families and the others are said to be receiving care.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23736059

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LATEST PRESS RELEASE

MONUSCO welcomes the separation of 82 children from Mayi Mayi Bakata Katanga



Kinshasa, 16 August 2013 – The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) welcomes the separation, on 11 and 15 August 2013, of 82 children, including 13 girls, from Mayi Mayi Bakata Katanga armed group. The children, aged between 8 and 17 years old, were identified and separated through concerted efforts of child protection agencies working together in Kibwela, Moba Territory, and Kayumba, Manono Territory all in Katanga Province. They had reportedly been recruited during the past six months by elements of Mayi Mayi Bakata Katanga. Forty of those children were immediately reunited with their families, while the remaining are receiving interim care pending reunification

“We are extremely concerned by continued reports of active recruitment by Mayi Mayi Bakata Katanga and other armed groups in eastern DRC”, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Head of MONUSCO, Martin Kobler, said. “Children face unacceptable risks when they are recruited for military purposes. The recruitment of children, particularly those under 15 years of age, could constitute a war crime and those responsible must be held to account”.
Since the beginning of the year, 163 children, including 22 girls, have been separated from Mayi Mayi Bakata Katanga by MONUSCO and child protection partners.

http://monusco.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=10846&ctl=Details&mid=13890&ItemID=20069&language=en-US

[Victor_c3]

1. When I joined the Army in 1997, this is the sort of mission I envisioned I would be a part of

I joined the Army to make the world a better place, not to be used like I was in Iraq. In so many ways I'm jealous of those who were involved in this mission in the Congo.

A job well done by everyone involved.

[Squinch]

2. I wish you could have your wish, and I

appreciate your service even though you didn't.

[Victor_c3]

3. Thank you for that

I don't know how you were able to see through what I wrote, but that is a fundamental personal issue to me regarding my service. I meant well and I tried my best.

You comment has really touched me in a good way this morning. Thank you.

[Squinch]

4. Your motivation is all you can control, and it is a very noble one.

[BlueToTheBone]

5. I'm glad you made it back

and I hope that you find healing and peace from the horrors you were part of.