Children caught in Congo conflict
Children caught in Congo conflict
A small village deep in the Congo, in central Africa, with little more than 50 inhabitants is devastated. Homes burnt to the ground. Handmade furniture callously destroyed. Lives ruined. A trail of destruction and desolation is all that remains. This harrowing scene is the aftermath of a militia attack. Eventually the silence is broken by the quiet wailing of mothers mourning their loss. The greatest loss any parent could experience. The loss of a child. A loss worsened by the fact that they were stolen. Powerlessly they looked on as their young children were dragged away at gunpoint.
Congo conflict
The conflict in the Eastern provinces of North and South kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo began in 2004 with the rise of the rebel group Rally for Congolese Democracy. (RCD) This group soon began launching attacks on the Congolese army, and anyone who opposed their leadership. These attacks continued for 6 years. A peace treaty was signed on January 23, 2008. However , on October 26, 2008 the RCD launched further attacks following the failure of the peace treaty. Finally on August 3, 2010 the Mai Mai militia group attacked a base in Rwindi and the conflict is still continuing to this day.
Kill or be killed
The recruitment of young children is sadly not a recent phenomenon. With the increase in conflict over the last 6 years, the rebel groups have resorted to recruiting children some as young as 10 to fight for them. Often against their will these young children are forced to carry and use large weapons, rape and kill. These innocent children are easy targets: too weak and frightened to resist and easily manipulated and influenced. They are stolen away from their homes and families and taken deep into the bush to training camps. Here they are starved of food and vital medical care and forced to live in squalid conditions. The lack of affection recieved and constant training to kill often desensitises the children and they effectively become emotionally void killing machines. Their innocence and childhood is literally stripped away from them and they are simply taught 'kill or be killed.'
The recruitment of children-facts
According to the 2010 report of the secretary- general to the security council; of 848 newly recruited children 52 were girls. 77% of these recruitments took place in North Kivu, 10% in South Kivu, 7% in Katanga, 4% in the Oriental province and 1% in Maniema and Kasai oriental provinces. Those responsible for these recruitments were the RCD, the national armed forces and Mai Mai factions. In December 2008, 170 children (77 boys and 53 girls) were abducted by the Lord's reduction army. (LRA)
Sexual abuse
As the statistics above indicate, girls are also stolen by these groups. Once stolen these girls are subject to continous rape and sexual abuse until their escape. They are known as 'soldier's wives' and are used as sex slaves. If they manage to escape not only are they mentally scarred but they are also rejected by their families and communities. Despite the fact that they were abused and did everything against their own will they are still looked upon as sinners and whores and as a result are cast out. This leaves them completely alone with very little or no money and they are either left to die or forced to attempt to begin their lives again alone.
Fight for freedom
There is a light at the end of the tunnel for some of these children. There are a significant number of charities based in both the UK and DR Congo fighting to release these children from their oppression. In Goma the UK charity Save the Children is working to rehabilitate young soldiers after their release from these groups. These charities give the children psychological support , literacy programmes or professional training, remedial education programmes and education about life and future responsibilities. Other UK charities working to rehabilitate child soldiers are UNICEF and World Vision.
Damaging effects
The mistreatment of these children has far reaching damaging effects on them beyond just physical. They are psychologically damaged and that is the main prority for charities working to rehabilitate them. Some of the damage can be repaired but most of it will remain with the children forever and may only be eased after time. During a role play session these young boys turn into violent killing machines. In order to be reintegrated into society they need to learn a whole new set of values and gain respect for adults and women. It is no doubt a long process but the passionate people within the foundation and other charities work tirelessly to offer these young boys the very best opportunity for a new life.
There are laws in place in the DR Congo forbidding the use of soldiers under the age of 18 however these laws are overlooked mainly because of the illegal nature of the rebel groups but even by the national army desperate for recruits. Despite the desperation r state of conflict, to use young boys and girls in this way is disgusting. These children are innocent by-standers in a conflict in which they have no control or no responsibility yet they are the ones who are stolen, abused, brainwashed and mistreated. Hopefully these laws will be soon enforced and obeyed and these children can gain at least part of their childhood back. Until then i salute the valiant efforts of all the individuals and charities fighting to defend the weak and give a voice to the voiceless. Nutritionists Can Make Extra Money Consulting with Child Care Centers How PH Levels Can Help To Determine If You Have Or Conceive A Boy Or A Girl Baby Professional Development Should Not be Overlooked in Child Care Parent Advice on Step Children Gyro Bowl: Making Children Spill-Proof Weight Loss For Teenagers A Trampoline Is Not Just A Toy For The Kids Any More Brown rug for the boy room Newborns Get Tested For Hearing Loss- Ways Of Dealing With Hearing Impairments In Young Children Selecting Quality Children's Books For Your Child's Introduction To Reading Types Of Childrens Savings Accounts Maldives Children Activities A Plethora Of Fun & Laughter Buying Moncler Jackets For Kids