Government forces still using soldiers ‘as young as 14’

Irish Examiner journalist Juno McEnroe visits the bombed army base at Rumangabo, just days before rebels attacked and seized the eastern Congo.

CONGO government forces are continuing to use children as young as 14 for spying, carrying supplies and in armed activities, according to the UN agency for children’s rights.

The Irish Examiner has learnt of brigades with the FARDC, the army of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where youths have still not been removed from combat and military roles.