This sensitization campaign on child protection was organized in the margin of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Célestine Assuie of MONUSCO child protection section said “26 June 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children. This

Charter highlights the protection of children in armed conflicts indicating the recruitment age 18 rather than 15 as stipulated in the statute of the international criminal court. It is worth recalling that the campaign is due to last 30 days and is jointly organized by MONUSCO Gender and child Protection sections in collaboration with the Office of Gender and Family in Ituri. Special emphasis will be laid on the recruitment of young girls into armed groups.

“Parents and all sections of the population should get involved in the fight against recruitment of child soldiers known as the Kadogos in the armed forces or groups”; This appeal was made Tuesday 06 July 2015 by the representative of the chief of Ituri district in a ceremony launching the 30 days activism on the fight against the use of children in armed conflicts.

According to MONUSCO’s Child Protection and Gender Sections which co-organized this activity in collaboration with the Gender and Family office and young reporters’ association in Ituri, “this campaign is meant as an appeal to the different sections of the society to raise their awareness of this scourge likely to undermine the future of our children, especially girls.”

The chief of MONUSCO office in Ituri underscored “creating enabling conditions for our children’s safety is first of all Government’s responsibility and secondly parents’ role who must ensure that children are not conscripted into armed groups; it must be a continued struggle,” alluding to the statement made by Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on 12 February 2015 “children’s place is at school, not in the battlefield. We should give them pencils, pens and copy-books but not weapons»; a statement supported by children’ spokesperson in Ituri. Nathan Mugisa “called on each and every young people to resist armed groups and pleaded for continued efforts to help children enjoy their rights.”

Child reporters’s spokesperson in Ituri condemned the use of the Kadogos by armed groups in the Southern Irumu and Mambasa. Nathan Mugisa said “armed groups conscript children and teenagers to carry out the most menial tasks whether in Irumu or Mambasa. Some children are used as combatants while others to serve as porters, cooks, messengers, guides, spies and most importantly sex slaves; others are forced to early marriage with warlords.”

Paluku Bana Kawa the representative of the chief of Ituri unique department recalled that it is everyone’s responsibility to fight this scourge “Now that everyone in the room has said NO! When recruiters will learn that parents and children have said no, will they have the courage to recruit? So, let us close the door and stand up against this scourge!»

Laurent Sam OUSSOU