14 November 2008
Nairobi — Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has forced most schools in Rutshuru territory to close, leaving an estimated 150,000 children out of class, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said.
"Most children have been displaced," Jaya Murthy, UNICEF communications specialist, told IRIN. "Other children are in the area but unable to attend school."
Fighting resumed late August in North Kivu between forces from rebel group Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP), led by former general, Laurent Nkunda, and the regular Congolese army allied with militias.
Since violence intensified two weeks ago, 85 percent of the 310 schools in the territory have suspended classes, while school buildings have been occupied by displaced civilians and the Congolese army.
According to UNICEF, the armed groups in the area are also continuing to recruit children as young as 14 in Kitchanga, Rugare and Rutshuru.
"From reports, we know that recruitment by all armed groups, except the Congolese army, is continuing in the area," Murthy added. "For example, up to 400 people have been recruited in Kitchanga area - ranging from 14 to 40 years of age."
An estimated 3,000 children were being held by the armed groups before the recent violence broke out, but the numbers are expected to soar.
The violence has sent civilians fleeing from their homes. According to UNICEF, tens of thousands of people are moving north due to ongoing looting in Kanyabayonga.
These include 15,000 to Kisharo, 15,000 to Vitchumbi, 5,000 to Butembo; and thousands between Kiwandja and Rutshuru. The displaced face a high risk of cholera and measles, increasing child malnutrition, and children being separated from their families.
"The situation is still tense, fluid, volatile," Murthy said. "Fighting erupts in different areas almost on a daily basis."
On 13 November, UN Radio reported two skirmishes between government troops and the armed PARECO movement. It also said 3,000 displaced civilians had recently arrived in Goma, the provincial capital.
At least 250,000 civilians have been displaced by the fighting, according to aid workers, including more than 65,000 civilians who are camped at Kibati, a few kilometres from the frontline.
The UN, which has a 17,000-strong peacekeeping force in eastern DRC, is considering sending in an additional 3,000 men to try to contain the situation.
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
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"Falling" state Last month, I was in Kinshasa and ventured to an area that is a region called Bas-Congo. I had the opportunity to have a micro and macro insight of the country different economic and social parameters. From the bold and corrupt immigration officers to the despicable congressman, an unmeasured quantity of lust, greed, and anger has destroyed the integrity of the Congolese people. Implying the Democratic Republic of Congo is a new democracy is a mockery. A century under horrid colonization and more than thirty years of Mobutu terror squadrons’ well qualify the country as an old dictatorship. The current democratic experience was deemed to fail. Democracy in Congo was a clear betrayal of the Congolese people under a guise of government reform. A government partly elected by the people never intended to fully serve the people. The constitution was designed by over-zealous foreign multinationals. It emphasizes on sub nationalism (tribe) away from patriotism privileging obscure lucrative control on the specific part of the country. Economic and social turmoil is not the root of the nation atrocities of unseen scale but rather consequence of greedy foreign policies toward the country way before it's independence. The proof is that patriots like Lumumba were villainified, crucified, and eliminated by western powers for their sincere commitment to the country. However, any democratic attempt cannot is futile as long as freedom is yet to be accepted in the most fundamental structure of a nation, a family. The society turns a blind eye on abusive rules one can brutally impose on his/her children. It has been said, “Subjecting our mind to other people critics is simply death,” from childhood, Congolese are used to being told or compelled to comply with absurd norms. With Kabila and regime in power, my generation is witnessing the birth of a new tyranny with the same old tentacles. The lack of passion of the “Diaspora” and of a relevant Congolese vision weakens any effort to stop this wicked establishment. It is not astonishing to see an entire nation glorifying any intellectual midgets holding any type of degrees from any foreign institutions. There is a sense of a national identity crisis. However, a trend building up from the consensus that the situation cannot go on as it has been for century and prolong for another generation. The current global economic crisis is creating an opportunity for a country like the Democratic Republic of Congo to break from foreign powers control. Things will get better if the country is just left alone.