SRSG SECURES COMMITMENT FROM FARDC TO RELEASE

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000407

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM MOPS KTIP CG
SUBJECT: SRSG SECURES COMMITMENT FROM FARDC TO RELEASE
CHILD SOLDIERS

REF: KINSHASA 394


1. (SBU) Summary: During her recent visit to the DRC, Radhika
Coomaraswamy, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General
(SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict reportedly secured
commitments from the Minister of Defense and FARDC Generals to
identify and release children from FARDC ranks. The Head of MONUC
Child Protection told PolOff separately that MONUC does not have an
estimate for the number of children remaining with the FARDC, as it
has not had access to the new FARDC units. The SRSG emphasized that
the reintegration of former child soldiers back into their families
and communities remains a critical priority for the peace process
and issued a call for increased funding. It will take a significant
diplomatic and programmatic effort by the international community to
assist the FARDC in completely removing all children from its ranks.
End Summary.


2. (U) Radhika Coomaraswamy, the SRSG for Children and Armed
Conflict reportedly secured commitments, during her April 14-21
visit to the DRC (reftel),from the Minister of Defense and FARDC
Generals to identify and release children from FARDC ranks.
Coomaraswamy expressed concern, during an April 21 press conference,
that despite the release of approximately 1,300 children from
ex-CNDP and Mai-Mai groups during the first part of 2009, many
children remain with troops under FARDC control. Defense Ministry
and FARDC officials agreed to an action plan to allow UNICEF and
MONUC Child Protection officials access to all units and all
military sites to verify allegations of child soldier presence.


3. (SBU) Judith Lavoie, Head of the MONUC Child Protection Section,
told PolOff that MONUC does not have an estimate of the number of
children still in the FARDC. It has been difficult to get access to
the new FARDC units made up of former CNDP and Mai Mai rebels. She
said that prior to the current accelerated integration process, up
to 10% of the rebel forces were comprised of children.


4. (U) Coomaraswamy also expressed concern that in the Eastern DRC,
48% of the victims of sexual violence are children. She also said
that 64 percent of sexual violence perpetrators in the east are from
the Congolese security forces.


5. (U) The SRSG emphasized that the reintegration of former child
soldiers back into their families and communities remains a critical
priority for the peace process. However, there are significant gaps
in reintegration funding, especially due to the recent release of
children earlier in 2009. Coomaraswamy appealed to the
international community to increase funding for child reintegration
programs.


6. (SBU) Comment: Prior to the January 2009 armistice with the
CNDP and various Mai Mai groups, the FARDC had not been able to
completely remove child soldiers from its non-integrated units.
With its lack of an effective command and control structure, it is
not surprising that the FARDC has not been able to remove children
from the new rapidly integrating former rebel groups. It will take
a significant diplomatic and programmatic effort by the
international community to assist the FARDC to completely remove all
children from its ranks.

GARVELINK