NORTH KIVU: P-DDRCS HOSTS STRATEGIC WORKSHOP ON THE USE OF CHILDREN BY ARMED FORCES AND GROUPS
Beni, October 28, 2025 — The Provincial Coordination of the P-DDRCS in North Kivu officially launched on Tuesday a two-day interprovincial workshop in Beni, focused on the analysis of the use of children, both boys and girls, by armed forces and groups in conflict-affected provinces of Eastern DRC, including North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Maniema, and Tanganyika.
This high-level workshop provided a strategic space for joint analysis and coordinated dialogue, aimed at strengthening national and interprovincial efforts to protect children from recruitment and promote their sustainable reintegration into communities.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Joseph NDAYAMBAJE SUKISA, Acting Provincial Coordinator of P-DDRCS North Kivu, welcomed participants from across the five provinces and expressed gratitude to technical and institutional partners who supported the organization of this initiative. He emphasized that this gathering represents a crucial step toward building a shared understanding of the dynamics behind child recruitment and enhancing coordination for effective, child-centered responses.
Throughout the sessions, participants conducted a diagnostic review of recent trends in child recruitment by armed groups in 2025, including the impact of territorial instability in parts of North and South Kivu. Delegations from each province presented territory-specific updates, shared local experiences, and highlighted ongoing preventive actions and reintegration initiatives in collaboration with partners on the ground.
The workshop culminated in the formulation of new recommendations at the provincial, interprovincial, national, and international levels, aimed at strengthening prevention strategies, child protection mechanisms, and community reintegration frameworks for children formerly associated with armed forces and groups (CAAFAGs).
The official launch was presided over by Mr. Éric KISA KALOBERA, Senior Coordinator to the Military Governor of North Kivu for Internal Affairs, who commended the leadership of P-DDRCS and reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to support all initiatives aimed at child protection and regional peacebuilding.
This activity was financially supported by BVES (Bureau for Volunteerism in the Service of Children and Health) and received logistical support from MONUSCO.
Communication-Unit-PDDRCS
