“He may point his weapon at your child in the future”: Maat warns of the exacerbation of child recruitment in Africa
Okeil: The recruitment of children under the age of 18 by the national forces in Africa is a catastrophic phenomenon
Gouda: Somalia must expedite the ratification of the protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict
Salah: The fifth goal of the 2030 Agenda must be adhered to to reduce forms of sexual violence against African girls
Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights has released a new study entitled "The Recruitment of Child Soldiers in Africa: The Young Warriors are at Risk", which sheds light on the concentration of hotbeds of conflict in many regions across Africa, where the phenomenon of child recruitment is widespread. These young warriors are used illegally and inhumanely in all conflicts and disputes without any regard for their basic rights.
The study presented an overview of the phenomenon of child recruitment in Africa, including the number of child soldiers, the reasons behind the prolification of the phenomenon, its types as well as the countries most involved in the practice, topped by South Sudan, Nigeria and Somalia. The study also highlighted the regional and international endeavours aiming at containing the spread of the phenomenon, including the role of the United Nations and its bodies, the Security Council and the African Union.
Commenting on the study, Ayman Okeil, president of Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights, stressed the grave violations committed by the national forces in all conflict-affected countries, specifically Somalia, Nigeria and South Sudan, topped by the recruitment of child soldiers, which contradicts the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The human rights expert recommended the governments of the African countries in conflict to conduct immediate, impartial and transparent investigations into the alleged violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by these forces and to hold those concerned accountable, regardless of their rank.
On his part, Abdul-Latif Gouda, a researcher at the African Affairs and Sustainable Development Unit at Maat, pointed out the high rates recorded by Somalia in the violation of children's rights during armed conflicts. In the same context, Gouda recommended the Somali government to expedite the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
Maryam Salah, a researcher at the African Affairs and Sustainable Development Unit at Maat, condemned all types of violations committed against children, particularly in times of wars and conflicts, especially sexual violence against little girls, forced marriage, and compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. The researcher recommended the governments of the three countries to adhere to the sustainable development agenda, especially the fifth goal related to ending all forms of violence against girls, especially sexual violence.
Notably, Africa is among the issues of concern to Maat for Peace, Development and Human rights, being a member of the General Assembly for the Economic, Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the Africa Union (AU). Moreover, Maat serves as an Observer in The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) and as a Northern African Coordinator in the major Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Africa of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
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