At the UN, Washington condemns violence against millions of children in DRC: “No child should be denied safety”

The United States has once again raised the alarm over the alarming humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where millions of children continue to bear the brunt of relentless armed conflict. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, U.S. Deputy Representative for Special Political Affairs Jennifer Locetta delivered a scathing rebuke of the ongoing atrocities, emphasizing that “no child should be denied safety.”

Children in DRC trapped in a cycle of violence

The DRC remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for children, with the eastern regions—particularly North Kivu and South Kivu—plagued by persistent violence orchestrated by armed groups. Ms. Locetta highlighted that children in these areas face a grim reality marked by forced displacements, sexual violence, recruitment into armed factions, and deliberate attacks on schools and hospitals.

“In the Democratic Republic of Congo, millions of children are subjected to threats of violence, displacement, and sexual abuse linked to the conflict,” she stated. “We condemn these acts in the strongest terms.”

She also pointed to the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, backed by neighboring forces, which has exacerbated the crisis by seizing vast territories despite international diplomatic efforts.

A global crisis with lasting consequences

Beyond the DRC, the U.S. envoy underscored that children worldwide are the primary victims of armed conflicts, facing displacement, family separation, and systemic violence. In countries like Sudan, Ukraine, and Haiti, the situation remains dire, with young lives shattered by war’s devastation.

Ms. Locetta stressed that the denial of education and safety for children not only strips them of their future but perpetuates cycles of poverty and instability across generations. “When children are denied safe, quality education, they are robbed of their potential—and so are the societies they belong to,” she warned.

Criticism of UN reporting on child protection

The U.S. representative also took aim at the UN’s latest report on children in armed conflict, arguing that it fails to accurately reflect the gravity of violations against young civilians. She criticized the report for conflating deliberate attacks by militant groups with unintended civilian casualties caused by state forces, describing such distinctions as misleading.

“The UN’s approach does not bring us closer to protecting children,” she asserted. “It undermines the credibility of efforts to hold perpetrators of violence accountable and diverts resources from initiatives that truly serve the interests of vulnerable children.”

The U.S. has already withdrawn its support from the UN’s Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, citing politicization and inaccuracies in its reporting.

An urgent call for action

Despite these criticisms, Washington reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children globally. Ms. Locetta called on all parties to conflicts to uphold their obligations under international law, emphasizing that safeguarding children is not just a moral imperative but a cornerstone of lasting peace and stability.

The U.S. urged the international community to take concrete steps to end child recruitment, sexual violence, and attacks on educational and medical facilities. “The protection of children is not optional—it is essential for breaking the chains of conflict and building a more secure future for all,” she concluded.