Sexual violence against children in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has sharply increased in recent weeks, according to a statement from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday. The surge is attributed to ongoing disputes over land and mineral resources fueling conflict in the region.
UNICEF reported that health care facilities in the city of Goma and surrounding areas documented 170 cases of child rape in just one week, from January 27 to February 2. This marks a significant rise, with health facilities reporting a total of 572 rape cases that week, compared to an average of 95 cases in the preceding weeks, as noted by Lianne Gutcher, UNICEF’s communication chief for Congo. The violence has been linked to “armed men” from all factions involved in the conflict.
Another humanitarian organization, Save the Children, corroborated these findings, indicating similar trends of children being victimized throughout eastern Congo. However, the numbers reported by UNICEF could not be independently verified.
The M23 rebel group, reportedly supported by Rwanda, has rapidly taken control of large areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In recent months, they have defeated the Congolese army multiple times, displacing over half a million people. In late January, the rebels captured Goma, a city of three million people along the Rwandan border.
Rwanda's president has provided inconsistent responses regarding his country's involvement, at times denying any support for the rebels, while other statements have acknowledged potential troop presence in Congo.
The rebels claim to be defending ethnic Tutsis, a minority group that suffered a genocide in 1994, some of whom reside in Congo. Nevertheless, experts suggest the primary motivation for the group is to exploit Congo’s rich mineral resources.
UNICEF’s executive director, Catherine Russell, expressed grave concerns, stating, “In North and South Kivu provinces, we are receiving horrific reports of grave violations against children by parties to the conflict, including rape and other forms of sexual violence at levels surpassing anything we have seen in recent years.” She also highlighted that medical facilities are running low on drugs aimed at reducing the risk of HIV infection following assaults.
In related issues, cuts to foreign assistance programs, including a pause in aid under previous U.S. administrations, have jeopardized the health of millions globally.
Save the Children reported evidence of 18 girls being sexually assaulted in South Kivu Province, and detailed a case where a 16-year-old girl was killed while resisting armed men. One mother recounted to the organization that her six daughters, the youngest being just 12 years old, were systematically raped by armed men while they searched for food.
The leaders of the rebel group have pledged to restore order and security in the territories they control.