In the isolated and remote region of Bas-Uele, eight children finally found their way to freedom after being captured by LRA rebels. The Ango territory administrator, Marcellin Mazale Lekabusiya, confirmed the return of these children to their community on Tuesday, June 18. Their kidnapping dates back to February 2023, when they were torn from their families in Banda, in the Mopoyi chiefdom. Thanks to the cooperation of the Central African government and the International Committee of the Red Cross, these young victims of the war were finally able to regain their freedom and be reunited with their loved ones.
The moving account of the events that led to the release of these children reveals the urgency and complexity of the situation in the regions affected by rebel violence. Marcellin Mazale Lekabusiya stressed that a total of 32 children had been kidnapped in the wilderness and had fled to the Central African Republic. Their distress and vulnerability were exacerbated by precarious living conditions, as they spent nearly a year and a half surviving in the jungle, far from any family or security reference.
The territory of Ango, vast and wild, has become the scene of these kidnappings and this perpetual terror imposed by the rebels. The Sasa chiefdom, located around a hundred kilometers from the border with the CAR, has become a place of passage for these armed groups who operate with complete impunity, sowing terror among the local population. Acts of violence and intimidation have led to a worrying humanitarian situation, affecting not only the security of residents but also access to essential food resources.
Faced with this crisis, the appeal launched by the administrator of the Ango territory resonates like a cry of distress addressed to the international community and to the provincial and central authorities. It is urgent to provide concrete and lasting support to these children traumatized by the horror they have experienced, in order to offer them a safer and more promising future. The social and psychological reintegration of these young survivors constitutes a major challenge which requires collective mobilization and effective initiatives to prevent new tragedies.
In conclusion, the story of these eight children captured by LRA rebels in Bas-Uele reminds us of the fragility of peace and security in regions plagued by armed conflict. Their release is a sign of hope and resilience, but it also raises critical questions about protecting the rights of children in times of war and the collective responsibility to prevent such atrocities. Now is the time for action and solidarity to guarantee a more peaceful and just future for all.