Oxfam claims children being raped in Congo

CHILDREN as young as four are being raped by rebels in the Congo, according to a shocking survey by Oxfam Ireland.

The organisation interviewed nearly 600 civilians in 20 conflict-ridden villages across the province of Kivu.

Oxfam Ireland chief executive Jim Clarken said: “I heard numerous accounts of arbitrary killings, rape, sexual violence, looting and burning of thousands of houses. It was harrowing.”

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo villages reported rape against boys and spoke of underground chambers where people were tortured.

The latest violence is blamed on the Congolese government’s military crackdown on the rebel Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR).

Mr Clarken added: “Over 80% of the people we interviewed said that security is worse now compared to a year ago.”

“The results of this survey should be a wake-up call to those in the UN Security Council supporting the current military offensive.”

Half of communities spoke of forced labour, with mostly men and adolescent boy forced at gunpoint into carrying heavy supplies for the army.

“Both the FDLR and large parts of the Congolese army were reported to force civilians to hand-over money and possessions,” said Mr Clarken.

All communities surveyed asked to be protected better by the Congolese army and peacekeepers. More foot patrols UN peacekeepers, especially in the fields and small roads where the dangers lay, were requested.