Goma, 16 June 2011 – The Day of the African Child was celebrated in Goma in the presence of Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In Goma, capital of Nord-Kivu province, vulnerable children, including those without family ties and the homeless, were honored on this day which is dedicated to the cause of the African Child. These street children came in their hundreds and joined the more fortunate ones from the town's private and public schools at a parade organized for the occasion by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), in collaboration with the local UN agencies as well as provincial institutions.

Ms. Leila Zerrougui watched these children marching in unison. She was joined by Ms. Hiroute Gebre Sellassie, Head of MONUSCO's regional Office, as well as by the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Mr. Leon Bariyanga, and Mr. Feller Lutaichirwha, Vice-Governor of the province.

Several speeches were delivered, both by the children's representative and the elders present at the ceremony. "There is nothing that can match the joy of being a child," Ms. Zerrougui told the audience. But she deplored the fact that: "children continue to be enrolled into armed groups, many girls continue to face sexual violence, and unfortunately the perpetrators continue to go free."

Ms. Zerrougui told the gathering that child protection continues to be among the top priorities of MONUSCO. Since January 2011, she said, 450 children had been separated from armed groups and reintegrated into civilian life.

Later in the afternoon, all the children were invited to join the provincial authorities and UN officials during which they shared a meal offered by MONUSCO.

The celebration culminated with an evening fund raising concert attended by children and adults. The fund raising is for organizations working towards the betterment of children.

Sylvestre Kilolo/ Radio Okapi/ MONUSCO