US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA2097

UNCLAS KINSHASA 002097 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/RSA 
DEPT FOR G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM, PHUM, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF 
CONGO 
 
REF: SECSTATE 228458 
 
1. The following responses are geared to reftel questions. 
Post believes the DRC has made credible progress on its 
outstanding issues, and we will continue to stress to the 
GDRC the importance of doing so. 
 
2. In May 2004, the GDRC finalized and implemented procedures 
for issuing official demobilization certificates for children 
associated with armed groups. Although a small number of 
demobilized child soldiers have not received their 
certificates, in general, the process is working well. 
 
3. Since October 2003, the GDRC has demobilized about 2,000 
children associated with armed groups, including a number of 
children who were demobilized before their units were sent to 
eastern Congo in June 2004. 
 
4. A number of GDRC military and civilian officials respond 
quickly and helpfully to NGO and UN agency requests for 
assistance with child protection issues. For example, MONUC 
child protection officers have worked with prison officials 
to remove children from general prison populations, and 
military commanders have assisted in demobilizing children 
associated with armed groups. In addition, earlier this year, 
judicial authorities in South Kivu started legal proceedings 
against a known child soldier recruiter. 
 
5. The national disarmament, demobilization, and 
reintegration (DDR) technical committee is working with UN 
agencies, donors and NGOs to ensure that the needs of 
children associated with armed groups are adequately 
addressed in the national World Bank-funded DDR plan. The 
section of the national DDR plan associated with children 
will be the first implemented. 
MEECE