Recent data from UNICEF reveals a drastic increase in child sexual assault cases in eastern Congo, with armed groups being blamed for the atrocities. The conflict-driven violence, fueled by territorial disputes, has led to an urgent humanitarian crisis.
Alarming Rise in Child Sexual Violence in Eastern Congo Amidst Renewed Conflict
Alarming Rise in Child Sexual Violence in Eastern Congo Amidst Renewed Conflict
UNICEF reports a disturbing surge in sexual violence against children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, linking the crisis to escalating conflict and ethnic tensions.
Sexual violence against children is on the rise in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a troubling report released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This crisis comes as ethnic conflicts and disputes over valuable resources, particularly land and minerals, escalate violence in the area. Between January 27 and February 2, UNICEF documented an alarming 170 cases of children being raped in Goma and surrounding regions, a stark increase from the average of 95 cases per week recorded in previous weeks.
Lianne Gutcher, UNICEF’s communications chief for Congo, reported a total of 572 incidents of rape during that week alone, attributing these acts to “armed men” from various factions in the ongoing conflict. The higher frequency of assaults has also been corroborated by Save the Children, another humanitarian organization, which reported similar findings of escalating violence against children in eastern Congo.
Recent months have seen the rise of rebel groups, allegedly backed by Rwanda, which have rapidly gained control over substantial territories in the DRC. In a matter of weeks, these groups have defeated the poorly equipped Congolese army multiple times, displacing over half a million citizens in the process. Notably, the city of Goma, home to three million people, fell to these rebels in late January.
Rwanda's leadership has denied any support for the rebels or any military presence in Congo. Meanwhile, the rebel group known as M23 claims to defend the interests of the Tutsi ethnic group, which suffered during the 1994 genocide, yet experts suggest that their primary motive lies in the pursuit of Congo's rich mineral resources.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, expressed deep concern over reports of severe violations against children in North and South Kivu provinces. She highlighted that medical facilities are running short on supplies needed to prevent HIV infection following sexual assaults, indicating a grave public health crisis alongside the humanitarian one.
Further evidence compiled by Save the Children highlighted that in South Kivu Province alone, 18 girls were victimized, with a 16-year-old girl tragically killed while resisting an assault. Accounts from survivors describe horrific experiences, including a mother sharing how armed men systematically raped her six daughters, the youngest only 12 years old, as they searched for food amidst the chaos of conflict.
While rebel faction leaders have pledged to restore order in the territories they occupy, the situation for children remains dire and alarming, prompting urgent calls for aid and intervention from global communities.
