Children being recruited by CAR rebels
2013-01-04 21:03
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Geneva - Unicef on Friday called on rebels and
pro-government militias in the Central African Republic (CAR) to stop
recruiting children to fight in the conflict there that has seen insurgents
seize key towns.
"Reliable sources have informed us that children are
being recruited among their ranks," Souleymane Diabate, the UN children's
agency in the capital Bangui, said in a statement.
Unicef condemned the involvement of boys and girls
"who may be forced to fight, carry supplies, perform other support roles
and be abused as sex slaves by armed groups".
It said that even before the current conflict erupted
last month, about 2 500 children were associated with multiple armed groups,
including self-defence groups, in CAR.
More than 300 000 children have been affected by the
violence in the country and its consequences, including through recruitment,
family separation, sexual violence, forced displacement and having no or
limited access to education and health facilities, it said.
The UN humanitarian agency (Ocha), meanwhile, said that
were serious concerns about the protection of civilians amid reports of
widespread looting and violence.
An estimated 316 000 people are living in the affected
areas, and some 700 000 persons in Bangui are at further risk of an escalation
in fighting, it said in its latest situation report.
The Seleka rebel coalition's lightning three-week advance
from the north of the country to within striking distance of Bangui has raised
fears of a spreading crisis and drawn regional calls for peace negotiations.
