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Appeal for Congo child hostages | Appeal for Congo child hostages |
(40 minutes later) | |
The UN has appealed for the release of 90 children who it says are being held by Ugandan rebels in north-east Democratic Republic of Congo. | The UN has appealed for the release of 90 children who it says are being held by Ugandan rebels in north-east Democratic Republic of Congo. |
Unicef said it was concerned the children, seized from two schools last week, would be forced to fight. | |
The UN agency for children said a village chief had also been kidnapped, and at least three people killed. | |
The LRA has led a rebellion for more than 20 years which has left some two million people displaced. | The LRA has led a rebellion for more than 20 years which has left some two million people displaced. |
Unicef said 50 children had been seized in a primary school in Kiliwa and 40 others from a secondary school in Duru during simultaneous attacks in Oriental province. It said another village, Nambia, was also attacked. | |
The LRA is believed to have a base near Duru. | The LRA is believed to have a base near Duru. |
In a statement, the agency demanded the unconditional release of the children. | In a statement, the agency demanded the unconditional release of the children. |
"Unicef is very concerned that they will now be forced to fight or support fighting, putting their lives at risk," it said. | "Unicef is very concerned that they will now be forced to fight or support fighting, putting their lives at risk," it said. |
The LRA has relocated to bases on the Sudan-DR Congo border for the last two years during peace negotiations | The LRA has relocated to bases on the Sudan-DR Congo border for the last two years during peace negotiations |
In April, LRA leader Joseph Kony refused to sign a peace deal agreed to by his representatives after nearly two years of talks. | In April, LRA leader Joseph Kony refused to sign a peace deal agreed to by his representatives after nearly two years of talks. |
The LRA has said it is willing to sign the agreement but would not disarm until the International Criminal Court (ICC) lifted arrest warrants against Mr Kony. | The LRA has said it is willing to sign the agreement but would not disarm until the International Criminal Court (ICC) lifted arrest warrants against Mr Kony. |
The LRA leader is accused of numerous war crimes, including abducting and mutilating civilians and forcing thousands of children into combat. | The LRA leader is accused of numerous war crimes, including abducting and mutilating civilians and forcing thousands of children into combat. |
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