KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 10 (UPI) -- Senior U.N. officials expressed concern about reports that children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are again being recruited by a rebel group.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in the DRC and the special representative of the secretary-general for children and armed conflict Monday cited in reports indicating at least 53 children were at risk of being re-recruited by 23 March Movement in North Kivu province, the United Nations said in a release.
"I strongly condemn the recruitment and use of children as well as other grave child rights violations committed by the M23 and other armed groups," said Roger Meece, the special representative of the secretary-general in the DRC.
In the joint statement, Leila Zerrougui, special representative of the secretary-general for children and armed conflict, urged the M23 and other armed groups to "immediately stop abusing children."
"I want to remind their leaders that they will be personally held accountable for any violations against children, including the recruitment, re-recruitment or use of children in their ranks, Zerrougui said.
The children are apparently part of a group of at least 70 people recruited in Nyiragongo and Rutshuru territories who fled during fighting in February, the United Nations said.
The mission said it received "worrying reports" that M23 members were asking local chiefs to identify and turn over youthful combatants who deserted.
