A/69/212 Government officials, senior representatives of national armed forces and law enforcement agencies, non-State armed groups, representatives of the humanitarian community, the diplomatic community and civil society, internally displaced persons and children affected by armed conflict. Democratic Republic of the Congo 44. The Special Representative travelled to the Kinshasa, Goma, Rutshuru and Beni in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 17 to 23 November 2013 to evaluate the situation of children and the progress achieved by the Government and the United Nations since the signing of the action plan in October 2012. 45. The Special Representative welcomed the strong collaboration between the Government, UNICEF and the United Nations Organization Stabilization M ission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which resulted in the release of hundreds of children from the national security forces. She also discussed the progress and challenges in responding to violations against children and in addressing impunity, emphasizing the need for stronger age verification procedures within national security forces and for the full implementation of the prohibition against the detention of children associated with armed groups. 46. In the light of the activities of armed groups, the Special Representative stressed the importance of sustained efforts to ensure that the special needs of children were fully addressed in the national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme and to ensure that perpetrators of child rights violations were not integrated into the national security forces and were held accountable. She also insisted that the rehabilitation of schools be made a priority so as to give children opportunities for a better future. Central African Republic 47. In the context of the escalating violence and the deteriorating security situation in the Central African Republic, the Special Representative visited the country from 17 to 21 December 2013, together with the Special Adviser to the Secretary -General on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, and a representative of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. 48. The visit was conducted only days after the killing of over 1,000 people in sectarian violence and following large-scale violations against children by ex-Séléka and anti-Balaka groups. The primary aim of the visit was to assess the impact of the conflict on children and to advocate with transitional authorities and other relevant interlocutors the cessation of violence and better protection for civilians. The Special Representative urged the transitional authorities to ensure safe access to cantonment sites and to facilitate the identification and handover of children associated with armed groups. She also met with representatives of the African -led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic and Opération Sangaris, the French military contingent in the Central African Republic, to discuss operational issues to enhance the protection of children. She had meetings with religious and civil society leaders to identify entry points for community -based dialogue. In addition, she met families displaced by the conflict and interacted with humanitarian actors in Bangui and Bossangoa to assess their needs and to understand the challenges they faced. 14-58528 11/18