A Cry from the Heart of the Congo: Child Soldiers in Danger
Written by Ali Musa, Axadle Times International – Monitoring
The Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bursting with both natural resources and endless strife, has once again become a theater of heartbreaking human dramas. In the first two months of 2025, a somber report from Save the Children unveils an alarming reality — over 400 children have been recruited into armed conflicts. These are not just numbers; they are children, some as young as 14, plucked from the safety of schools and the familiarity of bustling streets. This revelation begs the question: In whose hands do these innocent lives lie?
Working tirelessly in the shadows of conflict, Save the Children’s local partners have documented these harrowing incidents, primarily in North and South Kivu. Picture this: children, gently navigating childhood, suddenly abducted. Stripped of innocence and thrust into hostile environments, they are forced to wield weapons. Emotions may war within us as we ponder the desperation and despair these young souls must feel, cut off from their communities and the lives they knew.
In 2024, Save the Children extended a hand of hope to at least 220 children, facilitating their escape from the grips of armed groups. This profound effort doesn’t end at freeing them; it extends into the realm of healing and rebuilding. With a commitment to holistic support, the organization provides both psychosocial and economic assistance. Younger children return to classrooms, eager to learn and reclaim their stolen childhood, while older youths might find a new rhythm in vocational training, pursuing skills like tailoring or carpentry — a practical path to sustainable livelihoods.
“Rehabilitation and reintegration are not simply about removing children from conflict. It’s about returning their future.” — Greg Ramm, Country Director of Save the Children in the DRC.
The recruitment of children is nothing short of a transgression against humanity. When children become pawns in war games, our shared humanity takes a fall. Save the Children emphasizes that employing children as soldiers is not only a grave violation of international humanitarian law but may also qualify as a war crime. This calls for urgent reflection and action from the international community. How many more children must be sacrificed on the altars of adult conflicts before a universal stand is taken?
Yet, hope flickers within the heart-wrenching narratives. A young man, whom we’ll call Junior for his protection, courageously shared his story. Taken forcefully on his way to school, Junior found himself amidst armed men, pushed to learn violence as a means to defend his country. His words still echo with desperation and resilience: “We were very closely watched so that no one could leave the training area.”
To say the situation is dire feels like an understatement. However, significant strides have been made. The DRC embraced an Action Plan in 2012, buttressing it with a Joint Technical Working Group to orchestrate a systematic response. But, as Christian Selemani, a child protection partner, underscores, “We urge cooperation among governments, international bodies, and all stakeholders to tackle the root causes of these violations.”
Since 1994, Save the Children has remained a steadfast ally to the people of eastern DRC. Collaborating with 13 local and various international partners, as well as government authorities, they have woven a safety net of health, nutrition, child protection, and education. Through these efforts, they have not only offered immediate relief but also planted seeds of long-term change.
In a world where children are too often caught in the crossfire, our collective action — or inaction — serves either as their shield or specter. Let us be their shield. Let us become the voice, the force, and the heart that refuses to stand idly by.
For more information or to lend your voice to this cause, contact:
- Katharina Schroeder: [email protected]
- Kunle Olawoyin: [email protected]
For media inquiries beyond regular hours (BST), reach out to: [email protected] / +44(0)7831 650409.
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Source: Save the Children
Edited By: Ali Musa, Axadle Times International – Monitoring
