The conflict in Sudan has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 60,000 deaths and millions displaced. Over 10 million children are affected by violence, with many recruited as child soldiers by the RSF and SAF. Despite international prohibitions against child soldier recruitment, violations are rampant, necessitating urgent intervention from global entities.
The ongoing conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) that began in April 2023 has resulted in over 60,000 fatalities and displaced millions. Currently, more than 30 million people in Sudan require humanitarian assistance due to the devastation of the country’s infrastructure and social fabric.
The situation has escalated into a severe child protection crisis, with over 10 million children exposed to horrific violence and trauma. Many children have witnessed the loss of their families, home destruction, and village massacres. Alarmingly, reports indicate that over 200 children have faced sexual violence, including rape, in this hostile environment.
A child soldier is defined as anyone below the age of 18 who is recruited by an armed group or force to participate in conflict. Both the RSF and SAF have been involved in child recruitment, with disturbing evidence displayed across social media platforms. Siobhán Mullaly, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, has highlighted that the RSF specifically targets impoverished and unaccompanied children, with reports indicating that over 600 have been killed or injured in combat roles.
Children face multiple pressures leading to their recruitment into armed groups, including intimidation and the dire circumstances of extreme poverty. Some families view military enlistment as an opportunity for economic stability, with parents sometimes encouraging recruitment. New recruits are often coaxed with stolen aid and food, which has been criticized as a form of forced labor and contemporary slavery under international law.
Local leaders often play a pivotal role in facilitating the recruitment process by working closely with RSF chiefs. Traditional customs, such as the faza’a, empower tribal leaders to mobilize community members, including children, for combat purposes, further exacerbating the issue.
The trauma experienced by child soldiers can have lasting effects, inducing severe physical and psychological damage such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. International laws, including treaties established by the UN Human Rights Council, clearly prohibit the recruitment of children into armed conflicts, categorizing such actions as violations of human rights and war crimes.
Despite Sudan’s ratification of treaties forbidding the enlistment of children, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Armed Conflict, the recruitment continues unabated. This underscores the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the Sudanese government and the armed factions involved in the conflict.
In response to this alarming situation, Genocide Watch has urged various actions, including the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry by the UN Security Council to investigate the atrocities in Sudan. Further recommendations involve protecting humanitarian efforts, liberating child soldiers, and enhancing reintegration programs while ensuring that survivors of violence receive adequate support.
The recruitment of child soldiers in Sudan amid ongoing conflict presents a profound humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by extreme poverty and violence. Despite existing legal frameworks, the recruitment persists, highlighting severe human rights violations. Immediate action from the international community is necessary to protect children, facilitate their reintegration, and address the underlying causes of this crisis. It is crucial that all relevant stakeholders honor international laws and ensure the safety and rehabilitation of affected children.
Original Source: www.genocidewatch.com
