UNICEF Condemns Killing of Children in Ituri Amid Escalating DR Congo Violence

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a strong condemnation following the reported killing of at least nine children during a brutal overnight assault in the town of Komanda, located in Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The attack occurred between the night of 26 and 27 July 2025, in what UNICEF has labeled a “senseless and abhorrent” act of violence against innocent civilians.

In a statement released by the agency, UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children’s rights and called for urgent accountability for those responsible for this heinous crime.

“Children must never be the targets of an attack,” the agency stated. “We call for those responsible to be held to account for their actions. Perpetrators must not be allowed to act with impunity.”

Details of the Attack

While full details are still emerging, local reports and humanitarian sources confirm that nine children lost their lives in the armed incursion into Komanda, a town long vulnerable to militia violence. Several more people are believed to have been injured or displaced during the attack. The victims, all civilians, appear to have been targeted indiscriminately as part of an ongoing escalation of violence between armed groups in the region.

This latest attack underscores the increasingly fragile security situation in Ituri, where more than 1.7 million people have been displaced due to recurrent clashes between community-based militias and rebel groups since 2017.

A Worsening Crisis for Children

UNICEF warned that the intensification of armed conflict in Ituri is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian emergency. The region, part of eastern DRC, is one of the most volatile and insecure zones in the country, marked by inter-ethnic violence, mass displacement, and human rights violations.

“The uptick in violence between armed groups in Ituri is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation,” UNICEF said. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for UNICEF and partners to reach those most in need – and children, as ever, are bearing the brunt.”

Children in eastern DRC face a constellation of threats: recruitment by armed groups, gender-based violence, psychological trauma, loss of education, and limited access to food, water, and healthcare. The repeated targeting of civilians in Ituri violates not only international humanitarian law but also international norms designed to protect children in armed conflict.

Humanitarian Access Under Threat

The deteriorating security environment has severely hampered humanitarian access, making it challenging for agencies like UNICEF to deliver life-saving aid. Over 150 schools in Ituri have been closed or destroyed due to the conflict, and thousands of children have been forced to flee their homes, often without their families.

Insecurity has also placed frontline workers at risk, delaying medical services, trauma support, and protection activities for vulnerable populations. UNICEF and its partners are urging all parties to the conflict to guarantee humanitarian corridors and respect civilian infrastructure, particularly schools and health centers.

A Call for Justice and Peace

UNICEF’s statement concludes with a message of condolence to the grieving families and a plea for peace in the DRC:

“We extend our condolence to the families of the victims, and we call for peace for children in Ituri and eastern DRC now.”

The agency reiterated that targeting children during conflict is a war crime and called on national authorities, the international community, and the United Nations Security Council to take decisive steps to investigate the attack and prosecute those responsible.

Background: Ituri’s Prolonged Conflict

Ituri province, rich in natural resources, has been the scene of recurring waves of violence involving local militias, foreign-armed groups, and government forces. Despite national peace efforts and the presence of MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, the region continues to suffer from insecurity, weak governance, and lack of basic services.

Since the start of 2024, over 500 civilians have been killed in Ituri due to militia attacks, according to humanitarian monitoring reports. The violence often stems from ethnic tensions, land disputes, and competition for resources, further fueled by the broader instability of the eastern DRC.

Global Responsibility

UNICEF’s condemnation serves as a reminder of the urgent need for international solidarity with the children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The global community is called upon to:

• Demand accountability and justice for war crimes

• Scale up humanitarian aid and emergency child protection services

• Push for sustainable peace and inclusive governance in eastern DRC

• Strengthen protection of schools, health facilities, and civilians

As the violence escalates, the world cannot afford to look away. The lives of thousands of children hang in the balance.