Democratic Republic of Congo: A Former Child Soldier Turned Musician

Life is about transformation. Sometimes it takes a man a lifetime to become a vessel of beaming light, sometimes, however much we try, the darkness within overwhelms us. But each of us is open to a rebirth—a new beginning, a new life—all we need is an environment that accepts us.

Today we share with you the testimony of Juma Emedi, a musician, known by the stage name Kauku, who was kidnapped at the age of 13 and forced to become a child soldier in 2008. The scars don’t disappear that easily, even though years have passed, Juma’s past still haunts him.

Kauku, currently based in the United States of America, previously lived in Fizi in South Kivu province. It is prejudiced to cast discernment upon him for his past choices, but he had been a captive, who had survived torture for months before he accepted to take up arms and join his captors as the only means to save his life. To this day, Kauku recounts the excruciating memories.

“The pain I have is indescribable because I saw things that I was not supposed to see,” he remembers in an exchange with buniaactualite.cd

It was a nightmare for Kauku’s colleagues to survive the jungle life, but he is grateful to the Red Cross which saved his life while he wandered in the bush.

“I was taken to the refugee camp in Kenya called Kaluma where I found my family,” he says.

After 5 years in Kenya, he travelled to New York, America, for his university studies. This was where he reincarnated his passion for music, which had died during his rebel years.

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Kauku’s music comes from a well of profound pain. However, his compositions are intriguing and depict his great talent. He delivered Les merchandise au door Dors (A little can do, or a little effort can go a long way), a song he wrote in memory of his fallen friends.

Kauku launched the song on August 6, 2024, and it focuses on his journey through pain, healing, and hope. He has shared this story with Hollywood, and when asked when it will be featured in a film, he responded, “I will let you know when the film is available.”

His advice: “Don’t lose hope. » It's up to politicians to stop using children to preserve their future.”