Today's Prayer Concern - Congo and Rwanda jointly work against armed groups, April 24, 2008

Congo and Rwanda met to work together against armed groups operating on their border areas.

Armed groups have been a source of instability in the region.  They have been associated with using child soldiers, and sexual violence against women.

Link: allAfrica.com: Rwanda: DR Congo And Rwanda Assess Progress in Dealing With Armed Groups - UN (Page 1 of 1).

UN News Service (New York) 21 April 2008 Posted to the web 22 April 2008

Representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda met in New York in United Nations-chaired talks to review progress in dealing with armed groups.

The Central African neighbours signed the Joint Nairobi Communiqué, under which the two nations agreed to work together against threats to peace and stability in the region.

The 15-member body also said these groups must "immediately stop recruiting and using children, release all children associated with them, and put an end to gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse," adding that those responsible need to be brought to justice.

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the hope.  We hope for peace in eastern Congo.  We hope that armed groups stop recruiting and using child soldiers.  We hope that these armed groups stop using sexual abuse and rape as a weapon of war.  We hope in your blessings of peace.  In Your Name, we pray, AMEN.