A recently circulated video on social media has revealed disturbing evidence implicating the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government in the alleged recruitment of child soldiers, alongside the seizure of weapons from pro-government militias.
In the footage, fighters from the M23 rebel group display young individuals—some appearing to be in their early teens—who were reportedly conscripted by the Congolese army and its allied militias, including the Wazalendo group. These children, visibly frightened and disoriented, were found among combatants who surrendered during recent clashes in the eastern regions of the country.
The use of child soldiers in the DRC has long been a persistent and deeply troubling issue. According to Save the Children, over 400 children were recruited by armed actors in eastern Congo during the first two months of 2025 alone, with some as young as 14. Many are abducted from schools and streets, coerced into combat roles, and subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has also documented serious violations by various armed groups in the region, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers—acts considered war crimes under international law.
In response to the revelations, Human Rights Watch condemned the use of child soldiers and called for immediate accountability. The organization urged all parties involved in the conflict to cease the recruitment of children and to demobilize those already conscripted.
As the conflict in eastern DRC continues, the plight of child soldiers remains a pressing humanitarian concern. Ending the recruitment of children and providing support for their reintegration into society are essential steps toward achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
By Rwego Mucyo Raoul
