Urgent Appeal for the Prioritizing the Protection of Children Amidst Escalating Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Urgent Appeal for the Prioritizing the Protection of Children Amidst Escalating Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo


The Dallaire Institute calls on all the parties to the conflict to respect international law, ensure the full protection of all civilians, and provide proactive measures and protection to the children affected by the armed conflict in the east of the country.

All parties to the Nairobi and Luanda Processes must comply with commitments made to prevent grave violations against children, which includes the prevention of their recruitment and use as soldiers, sexual violence, preventing attacks on schools and hospitals, denial of humanitarian access, abduction, killing and maiming. We express our concern for the numbers of children that have been forced to flee active conflict zones.

The Dallaire Institute was founded on the unique premise that preventing violence against children requires a dual lens focused on prioritizing the protection of children, as well as understanding its operational impacts on defence and security sector actors. It is for this very reason that our hearts go out to the 13 peacekeepers who have lost their lives and those that have been injured as a result of their service to MONUSCO and SAMIDRC.

As endorsers of the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers, we recognize the shared commitment among all parties involved to protect children from the worst forms of human rights abuse. Let us prioritize our common purpose and focus on the aspects of humanity that unite us, rather than those that divide us.

We urge all parties to the conflict to engage in a constructive dialogue that is focused on prioritizing the protection and needs of children and recognizes the criticality of children’s potential as agents for sustainable peace and security in the Great Lakes region. Children that are exposed to witnessing extreme violence have just as great a potential to be impacted by violence as those who actively participate in extreme violence.

We express our full support to efforts to advance peace, promote the protection of children and local communities. We are confident that all parties to the conflict, as well as the communities directly and indirectly impacted, believe in the need to protect their own children as well as the future generations to come. There can be no lasting solutions to peace and security in the Great Lakes region without understanding the long-term consequences of our failures, ensuring children’s protection and maintaining a deep commitment to finding innovative solutions to peace.

We encourage all those who are part of the Luanda and Nairobi processes, along with the African Union, to ensure that the protection of children is at the heart of the solutions for the attainment of peace and security in the region. We stand ready to support such efforts and provide tangible measures to aid the peace process.

Peace is possible, violence is preventable, and children must be at the heart of the solutions.

Yours sincerely,

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