News: The children of Beni demonstrate against the killings of civilians
Saturday, November 4, the children of the parliament of the Beni territory, in the province of North Kivu, organized a peaceful demonstration in Oicha. Their objective: to put an end to the killings of civilians, particularly children, which are rampant in the region.
Mostly dressed in black, the children held posters on which strong messages could be read such as “No to the massacres of children”, “No to the violation of children’s rights”, “No to the massacre of civilians in the Beni region “.
Their peaceful march began at the Oicha roundabout to go to the office of the Beni territorial administrator. On site, they submitted a memorandum in which they questioned the authorities on the insecurity which is rife and which particularly affects children in the Beni region.
This action follows a deadly attack perpetrated on October 23 by ADF rebels in Oicha, where 27 civilians, including 12 children aged between 8 months and 15 years, lost their lives. Since then, schools in this rural commune, located 30 kilometers northeast of the town of Beni, have not resumed classes.
Faced with these tragic events, a government delegation plans to visit the region next week in order to better understand the security situation and provide concrete solutions.
This mobilization of the children of the Beni parliament demonstrates their commitment and their desire to make their voices heard. They demand that measures be taken to put an end to this violence which cruelly affects civilians, particularly children, in the Beni region. The peaceful demonstration of these children is further proof that Congolese youth are aware of the issues and are actively involved in the search for solutions for a better future.
It is essential to support and encourage these initiatives which allow children to play an active role in building a fairer and safer society. The protection of children’s rights and the promotion of peace must remain priorities in all actions undertaken by the Congolese authorities and the international community.
In conclusion, the peaceful demonstration of the children of Beni against the killings of civilians constitutes a poignant call to put an end to this violence and to guarantee the safety of children in the region. It is time to take concrete measures to ensure that these heinous acts are no longer repeated and that children can grow up in a peaceful and secure environment.