from JEAN KASSONGO in Kinshasa, DRC
DRC Bureau
KINSHASA, (CAJ News) – CLASHES persist despite an agreement signed in April aimed at establishing a truce between the Democratic Republic of Congo government and March 23 Movement–Congo River Alliance (M23–AFC) armed groups.
Fighting continues especially in South Kivu province, fueling new internal displacement, heightening protection risks, including grave violations against children, and worsening multi-sectoral humanitarian needs.
Clashes have also been documented in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Twirwaneho and Wazalendo militants are also implicated.
The Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) have also been involved in clashes.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that over the previous two weeks, some 308 civilians were reportedly killed by non-identified armed actors across North and South Kivu amid ongoing armed clashes and criminality.
“The UN continued verifying grave violations against children by all parties to the conflict,” said a spokesperson.
Two-thirds of the verified cases occurred in North Kivu and one-third in South Kivu.
Recruitment and use of children accounted for more than 70 percent of incidents during the reporting period.
The government of President Felix Tshisekedi is battling a reign of terror by rebel groups in the east.
Neighbouring Rwanda has refuted reports it sponsors some groups, particularly the M23.
– CAJ News