Armed conflict and the increasing use of child soldiers in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan: Implications for regional security

AuthorDaniel N. Mlambo,Victor H. Mlambo,Siphesihle Mpanza
Date01 May 2019
DOIhttp://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1896
Published date01 May 2019
ACADEMIC PAPER
Armed conflict and the increasing use of child soldiers in the
Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and
South Sudan: Implications for regional security
Victor H. Mlambo |Siphesihle Mpanza |Daniel N. Mlambo
Department of Public Administration,
University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South
Africa
Correspondence
Victor H. Mlambo, Department of Public
Administration, University of Zululand, Private
Bag X1001 KwaDlangezwa 3886, South
Africa.
Email: halavico@yahoo.com
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 litera-
ture on the use of child soldiers in these countries. The study found that the limited pro-
tection of refugee camps, poverty, and kidnappings are the major factors contributing to
the recruitment of child soldiers. Moreover, the conflict over resources and that of reli-
gious differences has torn families apart and increase population displacement in these
countries. The study concluded that the conflicts in these countries have not received
the attention they deserve and although the United Nations has intervened, the lack
of attention by the African Union and state governments means the problem will only
escalate, threatening the livelihoods of children and regional security altogether.
1|INTRODUCTION
For decades, regions in Africa have been embroiled in ever increasing
rates of internal conflicts and sectarian violence, often because of
political disagreements and the quest to control resources (Dupuy
et al., 2017). From civil wars, sectarian violence, and political intoler-
ance, all these issues have significantly contributed to poverty,
malnutrition, and under development in many African states. These
ever ongoing conflicts have given rise to guerrilla and militia groups
who are solely established to disrupt the current political dispensation
and wreak havoc in the quest to achieve their own goals and objec-
tives; however, in some cases, these armed groups have been used
and funded by politicians and other outside parties to further their
own interests. Rosen (2007) comments that West Africa, perhaps is
the most notorious region well known for the use of child soldiers.
Conflicts in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Liberia saw a huge number of
children used in armed combat, children as young as 7 were being
recruited by armed groups and state forces. Becker (2017) states that
contemporary conflicts in some regions in Africa today point to an
increasing use of child soldiers in the Central African Republic, South
Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These nations are
engulfed by conflict and political chaos that has descended into full
blown conflicts as opposing side's battle it out for control. As a result,
population displacements have been significant, and the use of child
soldiers has increased significantly as these states have descended
into lawlessness ruled by armed groups (Kemp, 2010). The article
therefore, using the case of South Sudan, Central African Republic,
and the Democratic Republic of Congo, argues that little has been
done by these countries to protect children, and the role of the state
has been very minimal; hence, international organizations (nongovern-
mental organizations [NGOs]) have taken over the role of negotiating
the release of children within armed groups and government forces
and resettling them into society. The paper also noted that the role
of the African Union has been very poor if not absent at all. The Afri-
can Union as a continental body has failed children trapped in armed
conflict in these countries and has also failed to provide clear policy
towards peace and the establishment of the rule of law; therefore,
the lack of involvement by the African Union has contributed signifi-
cantly to the suffering of children and the increase in the displacement
of children from these countries further making them more likely to be
recruited by armed groups. This further contributes to the suffering
and the prolonging of the conflict.
2|METHODOLOGY
The study relied on extensively collecting relevant and required infor-
mation. It employed a strict textual analysis of the available literature
Received: 13 November 2018 Accepted: 16 November 2018
DOI: 10.1002/pa.1896
J Public Affairs. 2019;19:e1896.
https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1896
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pa 1of9

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