Dungu, 5 February 2013 - On Tuesday, 5 February 2013, the Child Protection section of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), UNICEF and the office of the Administrator of Dungu territory jointly organized the official launching of the Action Plan on combating recruitment and abuse of child rights by armed and security forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The ceremony took place in Dungu in province Orientale, near the border with South Sudan.

The Action Plan was signed on 4 October 2012 by the DRC government and MONUSCO. The purpose of this ceremony was therefore to present the Plan to the Dungu community and to discuss its implementation in MONUSCO's area of responsibility with administrative and military authorities as well as community representatives.

The ceremony was attended by sixty persons, including a broad representation of national security forces and members of local communities. In his opening remarks, Mutalambuka Christophe, the Administrator of Dungu territory called on participants to be attentive and to familiarize themselves with the contents of this document for the benefit of the entire community.

In turn, the interim Head of Office for MONUSCO noted that "this Action Plan shows great willingness on the part of the Congolese authorities to step up the fight against child abuse in armed conflict and the respect of their rights".

The ceremony mainly included presentations on the historical overview and outline of the Action Plan, as well as the principles that govern its implementation. This was followed by a practical session during which four thematic working groups were constituted to discuss the following topics: combating impunity; access, verification and separation of children; providing assistance to victims of abuse; and preventing recruitment and other abuses.

Leocadio Salmeron/ MONUSCO