The conflict in Sudan has led to a severe child protection crisis, with over 10 million children victimized. Child soldiers, often recruited by RSF and SAF, face dire conditions. Local customs and extreme poverty drive recruitment, despite international laws against it. Urgent action from global entities is necessary to address and mitigate this crisis.
The conflict in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has escalated since April 2023, resulting in over 60,000 fatalities and displacing millions. Humanitarian conditions are dire, with 30 million people needing assistance. This ongoing violence has created a severe child protection crisis, with more than 10 million children witnessing horrific violence and suffering.
Children in Sudan have been caught up in this turbulent environment, making them vulnerable to recruitment by conflicting parties and criminal gangs. A child soldier is defined as anyone under 18 who is recruited by an armed group and partakes in a conflict. Both RSF and SAF have utilized child soldiers, and there are numerous video accounts circulating on social media.
According to UN Special Rapporteur Siobhán Mullaly, RSF specifically targets impoverished, unaccompanied children from Khartoum and Arab tribes in Darfur. Reports indicate that over 600 RSF child soldiers were reportedly killed or injured in battles in August 2023. In River Nile state, some children as young as ten have been armed with automatic rifles.
The primary drivers of child recruitment include bullying and the dire economic conditions pushing families to see recruitment as a means to survival. Some parents encourage their children to enlist as they view it as employment. Furthermore, RSF incentivizes recruitment with stolen food and humanitarian aid, contributing to a cycle of forced labor, which violates international law.
In Sudan, local leaders play a crucial role in facilitating this recruitment process at the behest of RSF chiefs. Local customs, such as the faza’a tradition, enable tribal leaders to mobilize members, including minors, for combat roles, which normalizes child involvement in armed conflict.
Child soldiers face extreme physical and psychological trauma, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, hindering their reintegration into society. They are at heightened risk for substance abuse and engagement in violent crimes. International law condemns the recruitment of child soldiers, categorizing it as a grave violation of human rights and a war crime under the Rome Statute.
Sudan is a signatory to various international treaties prohibiting child soldier recruitment, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Child Act of 2010. Despite these legal frameworks, the Sudanese government and armed groups continue to recruit children, violating these laws.
In response, Genocide Watch calls for action from international bodies, urging the UN Security Council to establish a Commission of Inquiry into these crimes and to prioritize the protection of humanitarian personnel and resources. They urge increased international efforts to liberate and reintegrate child soldiers while advocating for comprehensive rehabilitation programs tailored for affected children.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan exposes children to violence and recruitment by armed groups, resulting in significant human rights violations. Despite existing legal frameworks, child soldier recruitment persists. Urgent actions are needed from international communities to protect these vulnerable individuals, facilitate their reintegration, and provide comprehensive support services. The situation demands immediate attention to avert further humanitarian disasters involving children.
Original Source: www.genocidewatch.com
