Content_paragraphs:  A total of 7,456 children (6,229 boys, 1,227 girls) were separated from 56 
  
  parties to conflict and verified by the country task force as having been associated 
  
  during the reporting period. Of those children, 4,639 children were recruited in the 
  
  years before 2018 but used until their separation during the reporting period. The 
  
  remaining 2,817 (2,427 boys, 390 girls) were recruited and separated within the 
  
  reporting period. The downward trend in new recruitment is explained by such factors 
  
  as the de-escalation of conflict in the greater Kasai region; the decrease in armed 
  
  groups’ activities in the immediate post-electoral period, when several armed groups 
  
  looked to lay down arms and surrender; and a greater engagement of the country task 
  
  force with armed groups in order to stop recruitment and use, and to release children.