UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSESSES CHILD SOLDIER

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000297 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KGOV MOPS CG SUBJECT: UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSESSES CHILD SOLDIER SITUATION ¶1. (U) UN Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict Radhika Coomaraswamy visited the DRC March 4-9 to assess the situation of child soldiers in the country. She met with Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga and Minister of Defense Chikez Diemo, as well as officials of the Congolese demobilization agency CONADER, various UN agencies, and MONUC. She also traveled to the eastern provinces of Orientale, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where she visited local NGOs which work with demobilized child soldiers. She will present a report to the UN Security Council on her findings. ¶2. (U) During her visit, Coomaraswamy highlighted three concerns about child soldiers in the DRC: the recruitment of children by armed groups and the need to reintegrate child soldiers into society; sexual violence against children; and the issue of impunity for those responsible for recruiting and using child soldiers. During a press interview, she said that recruitment of child soldiers in the DRC is "essentially over" but added that their reintegration into society is "the biggest issue facing the country." ¶3. (U) Coomaraswamy praised the "positive evolution" of the situation and said Congolese officials had assured her they would treat the child soldier issue as "a high priority." She called for the immediate re-arrest of Commander Kanyanga Biyoyo, who escaped from prison in June, 2006 after being convicted of recruiting child soldiers. She also drew attention to renegade General Laurent Nkunda and allegations that child soldiers associated with his militia have not been released during the process of "mixing" with other FARDC troops. ¶4. (U) Comment: Coomaraswamy's statements regarding the near end of recruitment of child soldiers in DRC is consistent with Post's analysis which indicated that fewer than 4,000 of the 33,000 child soldiers once active in the DRC remain to be demobilized. The current challenge is to reintegrate the demobilized child soldiers into society and to prevail upon militia commanders to release the remaining child soldiers in their ranks. End comment. MEECE