UNICEF Reports Alarming Rise in Child Rape Cases Amid Eastern Congo Conflict
UNICEF has accused armed groups in eastern Congo of committing sexual violence against children, highlighting a significant rise in reported cases amidst ongoing conflict. Both M23 rebels and government forces are implicated in these acts. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as Goma falls under full rebel control, prompting emergency responses from health authorities and the international community.
On Thursday, UNICEF reported alarming instances of sexual violence against children in eastern Congo, attributing the incidents to armed groups engaged in the ongoing conflict. The allegations arise as battles between M23 rebels and government forces intensify. UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized the gravity of these violations, stating that they exceed prior reports of similar abuses.
Russell recounted a harrowing account from a mother whose six daughters were brutally raped by armed men. The report highlighted that during a week from January 27 to February 2, health facilities in the region documented 572 instances of rape, significantly increasing the number of cases treated, including 170 children. The identities of the perpetrators remain uncertain, yet it is suspected that various factions in the conflict committed these acts of violence.
The M23 rebels, notable for their backing from Rwanda, are prominent within a multitude of armed factions competing for power in Congo’s resource-rich eastern region. The recent capture of Goma, a pivotal city, marks a troubling escalation in hostilities. In response, the United Nations Human Rights Council has initiated a commission to probe war crimes directly linked to both the Congolese army and M23 rebels.
In legal proceedings, 84 Congolese soldiers currently face trial for serious charges, including murder and rape, as the government seeks accountability amidst rising rebel aggression. Additionally, as the conflict escalates, reports indicated a critical health crisis in Goma, where patients previously concentrated in hospitals have fled due to the uneasy atmosphere surrounding the fighting. The city, now under the rebel control, has also seen nearly 100 cholera cases emerge as humanitarian concerns grow.
The Congolese Health Minister asserted that authorities, with aid organizations’ assistance, are facilitating the provision of essential medical supplies and vaccines to Goma via humanitarian routes with neighboring countries. Despite these efforts, the situation in Goma remains precarious, necessitating continued humanitarian intervention and support amidst the ongoing conflict.
In conclusion, UNICEF’s grave accusations concerning the sexual violence against children in eastern Congo underscore the harrowing reality of the ongoing conflict exacerbated by the actions of both armed factions. With health crises compounding the humanitarian situation and international bodies stepping in to investigate, the region stands at a critical intersection of urgent need and increasing violence.
Original Source: apnews.com
