On the occasion of the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, observed on 12 February, MONUSCO organized a training session in Bunia for fifty second- and third-year law students – including twenty women – from the Faculty of Law at the University of Bunia.
The session aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge of child rights and their protection in situations of armed conflict, while encouraging them to serve as community advocates for peace and to help prevent the recruitment and use of children by armed groups.
A more engaged youth for child rights
Ituri remains affected by insecurity and the presence of armed groups, exposing many children to serious risks of rights violations.
Between December 2025 and mid-January 2026, MONUSCO documented a significant decrease in grave violations against children, while intensifying prevention, advocacy and response efforts. These actions contributed to the release of several abducted children and the provision of immediate assistance to children affected by conflict in Ituri and North Kivu.
“This training seeks to empower university youth by equipping them with the necessary tools to understand existing protection mechanisms and to act as prevention actors within their communities. Law students are the magistrates, lawyers and community leaders of tomorrow. It is essential that they integrate child protection as a priority from today,” explained Mathieu Ndongo Koni, head of MONUSCO’s Child Protection Section in Bunia.
He recalled that MONUSCO works with the Congolese Government under a 2012 Action Plan signed with the United Nations to end the recruitment and use of children, as well as the six grave violations committed against children in armed conflict: killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access.
The Mission also monitors grave violations and conducts sustained advocacy with armed groups for the release of children associated with their ranks. These children are then referred to care structures operating with the support of MONUSCO and UNICEF.
Students committed to raising awareness
Antoine Alur, a student in economic and business law, acknowledged that “given the situation in our province, many children are facing serious hardship. Some live on the streets, while others are associated with armed groups. This training provides us with a solid foundation to raise awareness in our communities and defend children’s rights.”
Sarah Amuti, a third-year law student, admitted that prior to the training she mistakenly believed that some rights were more important than others.
“I now understand that all rights are essential and complementary, in line with the principle of indivisibility and interdependence of children’s rights. After this training, I commit to raising awareness within my family and my community,” she said.
Fostering vocations for peace
Beyond theoretical instruction, this initiative forms part of MONUSCO’s mandate on the protection of civilians and child protection, as well as the promotion of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.
By training these students, the Mission is helping to foster a new generation of child rights advocates capable of promoting peace, social cohesion and respect for human rights in Ituri.
MONUSCO continues to work alongside UNICEF, national authorities and civil society to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms in support of child protection.
-Didier Vignon Dossou-Gbakon
