Sudan war crimes: Child soldiers in RSF & SAF battles

Report at Radio Dabanga
Dated Tuesday 22 August 2023 - excerpt:

Child soldiers reported in RSF and Sudan army battles

Fighting in El Shajara area of western Khartoum continued for the second day yesterday, following an attack on El Shajara Armoured Corps by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Darfur Bar Association reported instances of child soldiers fighting for both parties of the conflict in El Shajara. 

Child soldiers 

The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) expressed grave concerns about the presence of children among army fighters in battles, some of whom were seen wearing RSF uniforms during military operations in El Shajara area. The Sudan War Monitor published a video in which a group of boys are shown operating a combat vehicle in the area. 

According to a source of prominent Sudan researcher and analyst Eric Reeves, “an ugly reality has started to emerge. Among the dead, there were many children killed fighting with the RSF,” most of whom are reportedly from neighbourhoods in Khartoum mainly inhabited by populations from marginalised regions of Sudan, including Darfur and Blue Nile region. 

The RSF used “money” and “false promises” to recruit the children, some of whom are as young as 14, according to the source. 

In a statement released yesterday, the DBA underscored that “international humanitarian law and various international treaties and norms prohibit the recruitment of children under the age of fifteen” into combat. 

It is considered a war crime in both international and non-international conflicts, as outlined in the International Criminal Court statute. The International Labour Organisation Convention and The Convention on the Rights of the Child also forbid children’s participation in military conflicts. 

Lawyer Nafisa Hajar, who witnessed children present at SAF and RSF posts, deemed it a blatant violation of conventions and an infringement on children’s rights. She believes “involving children in conflict zones is unacceptable, and will lead to psychological issues.” She urged the international community and the Security Council to address child recruitment as a war crime. 

View original: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/child-soldiers-reported-in-rsf-and-sudan-army-battles

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