AFC/M23 has accused coalition forces loyal to the Kinshasa government of recruiting and deploying child soldiers, calling the practice a grave violation of international law and a moral outrage.
In a statement issued by spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, the rebel movement said it identified several minors among NYATURA militia fighters who surrendered to the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC) on July 28, 2025, in Nyamugali, located in the highlands of Kalehe.
“This practice continues with complete impunity, despite the presence of organizations protecting human rights in general and those advocating for children’s rights in particular,” the statement read.
Kanyuka criticized the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) for failing to denounce the use of child soldiers by Kinshasa-aligned forces, accusing the body of selective condemnation.
“Despite the severity of these acts, no condemnation has been issued by the UNJHRO, which is quick to make baseless accusations against the AFC/M23.”
”Its silence in the face of these crimes raises questions about its impartiality and political instrumentalization,” he said.
The AFC/M23’s claims, if verified, would mark yet another flashpoint in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where multiple armed groups have long been accused of exploiting children in combat roles despite repeated international calls for accountability.