Recent developments in Sudan raise serious concerns about the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups. Siobhan Mullally, UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, has expressed concerns about the alarming situation. As the country has been plunged into conflict since April 15, children find themselves targeted, exposed to violence and forced recruitment.
According to information collected by UN teams, these vulnerable children are prey to exploitation by armed groups. Siobhan Mullally points out that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in particular, target children who are poor or separated from their families in the suburbs of Khartoum. Similar kidnappings were also reported in other parts of the country, including Darfur and South Kordofan. Once forcibly recruited, these minors are destined for combat, deprived of their childhood and their fundamental rights.
The situation is all the more alarming as these recruitments constitute a flagrant violation of human rights and international law. The consent of minors cannot under any circumstances be considered, underlines Siobhan Mullally. While Sudanese authorities signed an action plan with the United Nations in 2016 to end the recruitment of children into their armed forces, it appears that this problem persists and is intensifying in the current context of conflict.
It is urgent that the international community take action to put an end to this violation of children’s rights. Concerted actions must be taken to protect children from recruitment and use by armed forces and groups in Sudan. Rehabilitation and reintegration programs must also be put in place to help children who have been forcibly recruited to rebuild their lives and return to normal lives.
Ultimately, it is imperative to shine a light on this concerning situation in order to draw the attention of the public and decision-makers to the need for immediate action. The use of children in conflict is a serious attack on their dignity and fundamental rights. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these children are protected and that justice is served.