Does South Sudan use child soldiers?

Does South Sudan use child soldiers?

JUBA, 26 FEBRUARY 2020 – Today, 15 children associated with armed forces and armed groups were released in South Sudan, UNICEF said. The boys ranging from 16 to 18 years of age were taken as prisoners of war during clashes in the northern parts of the country in 2019.

Does Sudan still use child soldiers?

Child Soldiers in Sudan and South Sudan With the end of the civil war, an interim peace period was established which resulted in the release of thousands of child soldiers. Now that war has broken out in South Sudan, it has been reported that child soldiers are once again being used in armed conflict.

What countries in Africa use child soldiers?

The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers has identified ten African nations that have been most affected by the problem of child soldiers: Angola, Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda.

What is Sudan doing about child soldiers?

In 2013, the government of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement signed a ceasefire agreement including obligations towards the protection of children. In 2016, Sudan signed an Action Plan with the United Nations to prevent the recruitment of children by its armed forces.

Which country has the most child soldiers in Africa?

Eastern DRC has amongst the highest numbers of child soldiers in Africa and the world. While there is no precise data, thousands of boys and girls have been actively recruited or conscripted, accounting for up to 60% of militia forces.

What has been done to stop child soldiers?

We have finally reached a global agreement among Member States that children under the age of 18 should never be recruited and used in armed conflict. As of 2016, every national armed force identified by the Secretary-General as using child soldiers is working with the United Nations to end this practice.

Why are child soldiers used?

Many children are forced to join military groups at a young age. Child soldiers are also easier to manipulate and force into conflict. Recruiters typically target children from troubled areas or conflict zones, likely accustomed to violence and with fewer educational or work opportunities.

How many child soldiers are there in Africa in 2020?

8,521 children
A recent UN report verified that 8,521 children were used as soldiers in 2020, while another 2,674 children were killed and 5,748 injured in various conflicts. According to some estimates, up to 40% of child soldiers are in Africa. Eastern DRC has amongst the highest numbers of child soldiers in Africa and the world.

Are child soldiers still used in Africa?

A recent UN report verified that 8,521 children were used as soldiers in 2020, while another 2,674 children were killed and 5,748 injured in various conflicts. According to some estimates, up to 40% of child soldiers are in Africa.

What country uses child soldiers the most?

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Syria and Yemen currently have the largest number of child soldiers.

Does South Africa have child soldiers?

A childhood lost in smoke. Published June 23, 2018 This article is more than 2 years old. At 14, they dropped out of school, picked up semi-automatic guns and arranged themselves into guerilla armies that would defend their neighborhoods.

Where are child soldiers used today?

The UN has identified 14 countries where children have been widely used as soldiers. These countries are Afghanistan, Colombia, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

When did child soldiers start in Africa?

Child soldiers have also become a common feature of the continent’s largest conflict, the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The fighting in what used to be Zaire began in 1996 with the revolt led by Laurent Kabila. His army had some 10,000 child soldiers between the ages of 7 and 16.