Congo-Kinshasa: UN Launches Campaign to End Use of Child Soldiers

Posted to the web 26 June 2008 S. Buonvino & J. Kasami Monday 23 June 2008 marked the official launch in Bukavu of the public awareness campaign entitled "Zero Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups," sponsored by the DR Congo's First Lady Mrs. Olive Kabila, and organised by the National Programme of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (UEPN-DDR, ex CONADER). UEPN-DDR decided to launch the campaign in the month dedicated to the African Child, with the objective of releasing all children active in armed forces and groups in South Kivu, in order to reintegrating them into civilian life. The project, supported by UNICEF, MONUC, the World Bank and the African Development Bank, aims at sensitising the FARDC and the various armed groups who recruit minors in their ranks. The conference, which was launched South... [read full story]