According to the United Nations (UN), 357 million children live in areas affected by armed conflict, and that number has risen dramatically over the past ten years. Children are disproportionately affected by war – including facing increased risk of all forms of violence and exploitation – yet are the least responsible. The recruitment and use of children are grave violations of children’s rights, with lifelong effects on children and their communities. And yet tens of…

The use of child soldiers has been increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. To understand the implications of this on regional security, the study employed a strict textual analysis of the relevant literature on the use of child soldiers in these countries. The study found that the limited protection of refugee camps, poverty, and kidnappings are the major factors contributing to the recruitment of child soldiers. Moreover,…

This report is based on interviews in 2014 and 2015 with 101 children associated or formerly associated with armed forces and groups from Dinka, Nuer and Shilluk tribes, mostly from the three states of Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile.

Inspired by the new paradigm of social studies and the theory of legal pluralism, this article presents the findings of a study of participation rights as they apply to child soldiers. Using the child-focused DDR initiatives currently being implemented in South Sudan as a main case study, the author combines insights derived from an examination of local norms and universal legal standards with field research to elucidate the legal, cultural, moral and practical dilemmas of…

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