The United Nations has decided to withdraw the Democratic Republic of Congo from the blacklist of child soldier recruiting countries within their armed forces. The Minister of Defense, Crispin Atama, has not hidden his emotions following the decision taken by the UN.
According to Atama, this good news follows the efforts made by the country through the elements of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in collaboration with UNICEF, to end the recruitment of minors in the army.
Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Defense, a commission has been set up to evaluate the criteria proposed by the United Nations to also help the DRC out of the black list of countries that excel in sexual violence.
This joint commission is composed of the members of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights, FARDC, the Police and other security services.
« The perpetrators of sexual violence must be prosecuted. Instructions have been given so that each Unit Commander now feels responsible in the event of a blundering of the Gender denounced as sexual violence by signing a pledge, » said Crispin Atama.
The elements of the Congolese army deserve a reward for the efforts made in the fight against sexual abuse.
« The United Nations has gratified us. We believe that we are cleaned up and are now able to represent the DRC in peacekeeping units around the world, » concluded the Congolese Defense Minister.