Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers Q3 2008

Many of you will have been following the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo unfolding over the last few weeks. The fighting, between rebels led by Laurent Nkunda and Congolese government troops, has forced an estimated 250,000 people from their homes. Despite the presence of the largest and most robust UN peacekeeping force in the world, the worsening conflict has inevitably lead to many civilians being killed. Worryingly, the upsurge in violence has also led to the enlistment of children into the ranks of the rebel forces.

The Coalition are obviously following the situation in DRC closely and it is an extremely busy time for them as they try to continue their important work in the region in the midst of the violence. Many thanks to Carissa Lopez, our contact point in the organisation, who took the time to brief us on the situation in DRC and how it is affecting their regional partners in the region. James Etchells - November 2008.

Carissa's Report and Update on Coalition Awareness-Raising

Heavy fighting resumed in August between the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and former general Laurent Nkunda's National Congress for People's Defense (CNDP). A general offensive was launched by the CNDP in Rutshuru territory - heading towards Goma. Large numbers of FARDC troops and displaced people flooded into Goma. As you have heard, the killing of civilians, sexual violence, rape and widespread looting have taken place. Our Great Lakes program manager has been in contact with our local partners in the DRC and our program support officer based in Goma. The program support officer was close to evacuating last week, but has remained in Goma.

It has been very difficult for our local partner organizations in North Kivu, many having lost friends and neighbours to the violence. Most provide direct services to local communities and have continued working, assisting children and families affected by the conflict despite the unstable conditions. Partners have reported child recruitment by the CNDP with some reporting recruitment from schools. Our partners have also reported that children have joined the local militias known as Mai Mai who are fighting the CNDP. Young boys have also been seen with Congolese armed forces transporting and dispatching weapons to their military units. These reports from our partners have not been published in press or media releases, but you can find recent reports with estimated figures here: www.child-soldiers.org/library/news.

As part of our 2008/09 work plan, the Coalition supported partner organizations in North Kivu to develop a radio communiqué with key messages on the rights of children and the illegality of child recruitment upheld by national and international laws. The messages called for the release of all children currently in the ranks, for communities to actively discourage children joining armed forces or armed groups, and that all individuals work to protect children from recruitment and use by armed forces and armed groups.

With the situation worsening in North Kivu, the message is being broadcast two to three times a day in French and Swahili on ten radio stations in the areas where child recruitment has been reported throughout November. We hope that the message will be heard by children, parents, community leaders, armed forces and armed groups to support efforts to prevent further recruitment and act as a call to the government to uphold its obligations under international law to protect children from recruitment and use in the hostilities.