Somalia
The ongoing Somali Civil War, which began in 1991, brought with it a huge humanitarian crisis that has decimated the ability of the country to function. The conflict among clans, government, and anti-government forces, along with militant Islamic groups, has resulted in an extremely poor country with no central government that has control of all of Somalia. As such, there are autonomous governments throughout the country in Somaliland, Puntland, and parts of Mogadishu. The government recognized by the United Nations, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), has begun to implement reforms since 2009, but the fighting among the TFG and groups such as the Al-Shabaab as well as local clans and militias continue.
Child soldiers have been recruited by many of the warring factions, including the TFG and Al-Shabaab, along with the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter Terrorism (ARPCT). Much of the recruitment occurs in the central and southern regions of Somalia. School children and street children are often targeted for recruitment.
Possible violations by the United States in supporting Somali military
Recently, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia has been accused by the United Nations in the annual report of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict of being one of the “most persistent violators” of using child soldiers. As a result of their ongoing support of the Somali Transitional Government – as a [...]
Read More...Children Forced to Plant Bombs in Somalia
A new report, released recently from the United Nations, cited grave children rights violations – including child soldier recruitment – being committed by all fighting forces in Somalia, including the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), and Al-Shabaab (designated a terrorist organization by U.S. Dept of State in March). From UN.org. [...]
Read More...Children forced to plant bombs in Somalia
A new report, released recently from the United Nations, cited grave children rights violations – including child soldier recruitment – being committed by all fighting forces in Somalia, including the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), and Al-Shabaab (designated a terrorist organization by U.S. Dept of State in March). From UN.org. [...]
Read More...3,000 Child Soldiers show up in Somalia, trained in Ethiopia…
…according to this article: Over 3000 child soldiers arrived in Afgoye town, 30 km away from Mogadishu, on Tuesday [emphasis added] and started to attack civilians and loot shops, Press TV corresponent reported. The soldiers are estimated to be less than 15 years old and they came to town on foot after 9 days. Four [...]
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