Youths flee M23-held areas for fear of conscription

Radio Okapi and Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) are reporting that

youths are being forcibly recruited as militiamen in areas held by M23

insugents.





Radio Okapi reports that youths from Jomba and Busanza "groupements"

(administrative entities grouping several villages) have fled their

villages for fear of forced recruitment by M23 and are flocking in

Rutshuru-centre and Kiwanja--now once again under FARDC control.





According to Radio Okapi, on Sunday, July 15, the hamlet of Kabaya was

surrounded by M23 insurgents, who then abducted youths and led them

away to be conscripted.





This method of forced recruitment is reportedly being systematically

implemented in other areas controlled by M23.





According to Radio Okapi, some youths--including a 12-year-old--were

able to escape from their M23 abductors.





***



For story on NRW website, read on:



(Page Address: www.rnw.nl/africa/article/m23-rebels-breed-fear-congo-border-town)





For story on Radio Okapi webside, read on:



(Page Address: radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/07/16/nord-kivu-le-m23-procede-des-recrutements-forces-jomba-busanza/)