Congolese Children Recruited by Rebel Forces
November 13, 2008 – 11:15 amBBC News, Goma - “We were on our way back from school when we met the rebels. They made us carry some luggage for them and then told us to go with them,” says a 16-year-old caught up in the recent unrest in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Jean Vierre, whose name has been changed for his safety, is now in the care of a foster family in Goma, placed there by UK charity Save the Children.
But his story points to a disturbing new trend.
 When the rebels saw me trying to escape they shot me  Haguma [not his real name], 18
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In the last few months, fighting between the Congolese army and rebels has escalated, and more and more children are being kidnapped to bolster numbers amongst the various militia.
Jean Vierre was one of a group of 10 ambushed some two weeks ago.
He, his six classmates and three teachers were abducted in what appears to be a well-planned attempt to find new recruits.
“When we got to the camps, the rebels told to join the military forces. They took us and threw us in a hole. We were given military outfits and told we had to wear them,” explains Jean Claude [not his real name].
The two boys managed to escape after two days but not before they saw many other teenage boys in a similar position.
By Peter Greste
Entire article.
BBC map of DRC conflict:
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