The UN children’s fund on Thursday accused armed men, likely on both sides of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, of raping scores of children over the past weeks as rebels expand their footprint and push government forces out.
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The accusation came as the conflict in the mineral-rich region shows no signs of abating. Unicef cited reports of the abuses, saying the offenders were apparently from among both the M23 rebels and the government forces fighting them.
“In the 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,” Unicef’s Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement.
“One mother recounted to our staff how her six daughters, the youngest just 12 years old, were systematically raped by armed men while searching for food,” Russell added.
Health facilities in the restive region reported during the week from January 27 to February 2 a total of 572 rape cases – more than a fivefold increase compared to the week before, Lianne Gutcher, Unicef’s communication chief in DR Congo, told Associated Press.
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Of those, 170 of those treated were children, she added.