Violence against Children in Eastern Congo escalates
As Rwanda-backed rebels closed in on eastern Congo's largest city, retreating army soldiers barged into Suzanne Amisi Wilonja's home near the airport to loot, firing indiscriminately and shooting her 10-year-old son Sylvain in the head. The United Nations has warned of surging child recruitment, abductions, killings, and sexual violence as the rebels press on after seizing more territory in eastern Congo than ever before. The recent hostilities have brought an increase in the sexual violence that has long plagued the region.
- The sheer scale of child casualties in this conflict underscores the urgent need for emergency aid and humanitarian response to support vulnerable populations.
- How will international efforts to address child recruitment and protection impact the long-term trajectory of the conflict in eastern Congo?