What countries in Africa have child soldiers?
As of 2017, the UN listed that seven out of fourteen countries recruiting and using child soldiers in state forces or armed groups were in Africa: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan.
What is the history of child soldiers?
The first modern use of child soldiers in the region was actually during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. Iranian law, based on the Koranic sharia, had forbid the recruitment of children under 16 into the armed forces.
Who are some of the child soldiers in Africa?
The Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), for example, is commonly known for abducting children from their homes. According to the 2008 Global Report on Child Soldiers by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, the LRA has abducted about 25 000 children since the 1980s.
When did child soldiers Global Report 2004 come out?
Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Covers the period from April 2001 to March 2004.
When did the child soldiers return to Uganda?
Around 1,000 combatants of the Uganda National Rescue Front II and their families returned to Uganda in April 2002, having been based in Sudan since 1997. After negotiations with the government, 135 child soldiers were handed over to UNICEF. In June 2002 the group signed a ceasefire agreement with the government.
How many child soldiers are there in the world?
Approximately more than 70 million AK-47 rifles have been produced globally since 1947, 16 and this weapon “can be easily carried and used to deadly effect by children as young as 10”. 17 The availability of small arms allows child recruits to be effective participants in warfare.