Honourable Chairperson and Members of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (the Committee),
Excellencies,
Honourable State Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) congratulates the Committee on the convening of its 45th Ordinary Session. We commend the Committee’s tireless efforts in advocating for the rights of children across Africa.
We are extremely concerned about the impact of conflicts on children across the continent. We are particularly concerned about the devastating crises unfolding in Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan. These ongoing conflicts are gravely affecting the lives of millions of children, denying them the most basic human rights. As we gather here under the mandate of this Committee to promote, provide guidance and monitor the implementation of the rights of children, we must confront the profound impact these conflicts are having on the most vulnerable members of our societies. The following violations, which are amongst the most egregious, deserve the Committee’s immediate attention:
- Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the conflict, with sexual violence being used as a tactic or weapon of war. According to recent reports, a horrifying/staggering 895 cases of rape – an average more than 60 a day- were reported in the North Kivu region in February 2025 alone, including against children. Further reports indicate that the number of rape cases treated across 42 health facilities jumped five-fold in one week between January and February 2025. Of those treated, 30 percent were reportedly children. Similarly, the conflict in Sudan has exposed girls to heightened risks of sexual violence at the hands of armed forces, including rape, forced marriage and sexual slavery. The lack of accountability for such heinous crimes perpetuates a cycle of impunity, leaving survivors without the support and justice they deserve. - Recruitment and Use of Children by Armed Groups
In both the DRC and Sudan, reports indicate that children as young as 12 are being recruited or coerced into joining armed groups, including through abduction. These children are often used in combat and in support roles such as escorts, porters, spies, fetish keepers and sex slaves. They are subjected to extreme forms of violence, including sexual abuse, forced labour, and psychological trauma. Many are coerced into committing violent acts, leaving them with lasting psychological scars. The recruitment and use of children as soldiers is a direct violation of their fundamental rights, as enshrined in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. - Large Scale Displacement/Separation of Children from their Families
The conflict in both regions has led to mass displacement, with millions of children torn from the safety of their homes and separated from their families. This further exposes children to other forms of violations, including sexual abuse, child trafficking, recruitment into armed groups, all of which compound the already severe consequences of family separation. The large-scale displacement of children also violates their right to education and healthcare, both of which are essential for the development and well-being of every child. The separation of children from their families is a flagrant violation of their right to parental care and not to be separated from their families, as guaranteed by articles 19 and 22 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. - Denial of Humanitarian Access
Humanitarian actors face restrictions in reaching children and vulnerable populations in need, often being targeted themselves or blocked from delivering life-saving aid. This denial of access further exacerbates the suffering of children, cutting them off from essential services such as medical care, food, water, and sanitation. - Abduction of Children
In both the DRC and Sudan, the abduction of children by armed groups has become a horrific reality. In the DRC, recent reports indicate that abductions have increased sixfold. The purpose of abductions include recruitment and use as child soldiers, sexual violence, extorsion and/or ransom.
Despite numerous international appeals and diplomatic efforts, the situation continues to deteriorate. This Committee has a moral and legal duty to act decisively and urgently.
We call upon the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to:
- Strongly condemn the ongoing atrocities and the widespread violations of children’s rights in the DRC and Sudan.
- Urge the African Union and regional bodies to intensify efforts to mediate a ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians, including children.
- Demand accountability for all perpetrators of human rights abuses through the appropriate legal channels, including through timely and systemic investigations and, as appropriate, prosecution and conviction, and to ensure that all victims have access to justice and to the medical, protection and support services that they need.
- Appeal for unrestricted humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas to provide immediate relief to suffering populations, including children.
We thank you for your kind attention.
