North Kivu: 56 children recruited by armed groups in Walikale in two weeks (NGO)

At least 56 children have been recruited by armed militias, including Wazalendo factions, in the Walikale territory of North Kivu during the first two weeks of school holidays, according to the NGO Group for Action for Child Protection (GAPE). GAPE's investigation shows that children voluntarily leave their families to join armed groups, driven by the need for money to buy school supplies. The NGO is intensifying awareness campaigns and calling on authorities to urgently intervene to free these children.