There’s no other way to start this post than to just get right to it. If you’ve read my previous posts about child soldiers, you’ll know that this is something that I desire people to be aware of, to know that this awful practice still exists in many countries. Though I’ve touched on who child soldiers are (if you want more info read “Child Soldiers: Who Are They?”), I think it is just as important to know which countries child soldiers exist and are used.
Now I’m not saying that you need to know where child soldiers are so that you can hop on the next flight and save them all (although that would be great), but I am saying that we as Christian women need to understand what is happening in this world and where so that at the very least, we can pray about it.
There are many countries, whether the armed forces or illegal armed groups within the country, that use children as soldiers. Many of these countries previously and continually experience war, battle, terrorist groups, religious disputes, governmental instability, and a lack of stability in general. Regardless of the excuse, children are still recruited for the sake of the militias goal of some sort of overtake.
Here is a list of countries that have had many cases and reports of the use of child soldiers and children in armed conflict.
The Middle East
Afghanistan
Hundreds and thousands of children were reported in 2017 to have been used as a soldier, most of them being in some sort of terrorist group.
Iraq
Much of the fighting and use of child soldiers occurred/occurs between the Sunni and Shia Muslim groups, as well as terrorist groups inhabiting Iraq. Again, hundreds and thousands of children were reported to either be a child soldier, or take part in the armed conflicts.
Yemen
Since 2015, there have been more than 1,500 reports of child soldiers in addition to the ones in existence because of the increased hostilities taking place in this country.
Syria
Six non-state actors (terrorist groups, illegal armed groups, etc.) were reported using children as soldiers and children in armed conflict. Astonishingly, the Syrian government uses child soldiers as well. Almost 3,000 reports of some sort of violations of children occurred in 2017 alone.
Africa
Central African Republic
In this country and many of the surrounding African countries, many religious groups recruit child soldiers to fight for their beliefs. Unfortunately, and I hate that this is a fact, but it has been reported that some Christian groups recruit children as soldiers. This conflict specifically in CAR has lasted for many years, and in that time, at least 10,000 children have been recruited.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Many of you may at one time have heard about the Lord’s Resistance Army. This illegal armed group is rooted in DRC, as well as 14 other groups. All of these groups have used and are using child soldiers. Since 2011, there are reports of over 30,000 child soldiers.
South Sudan
Since 2013, over 17,000 cases have been reported due to the conflict with Sudan (explained later).
Sudan
Since 2011, thousands of child soldiers were reported to take part in armed conflict. These three countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan, are all apart of one bigger conflict stemming from the separation of South Sudan from Sudan. As a result, 10’s of thousands of children have been caught in the middle of these feuding nations.
Nigeria
In the report of the United Nations Secretary General, “Children and Armed Conflicts,” they point out that the numbers of children recruited have decreased by 50% between 2016 and 2017. Finally some good news!!! Praise the Lord! However, there were still well over a thousand children recruited as soldiers in 2017.
Somalia
Around 1000 cases have been reported since 2016 stemming from both the national army and illegal armed groups.
Mali
Hundreds of reports since 2016 have kept Mali on the map for the recruitment of child soldiers by illegal armed groups.
Asia
Myanmar
With many internal conflicts occurring between the government and illegal armed groups (though peace talks are being pursued), over 500 children have been recruited in 2017 alone. However, numbers were sky high in the late 1990s and early 2000’s with as many as 70,000 children recruited. Myanmar remains one of the countries with the highest number of child soldiers.
Philippines
Thousands of children have been recruited over the years as part of two different groups: Muslim terrorist groups and communist groups.
South America
Colombia
Since the 1970s, when disputes between Colombian’s and the Colombian government occurred, 11,000 children have been recruited by FARC, a rebel group stemming from the communist party in the 1900’s.
_____________
The high number of countries using child soldiers is astonishing. This is why prayer is needed. I encourage you as Christian women to choose one of these countries to pray about, because they and the children so desperately need it.
Certain governmental and non-governmental organizations attempt to eradicate the use of children in the armed forces, and are having great success in releasing many children from life as a soldier. However, they need prayer.
Seek to spread your walk with Christ in an area that maybe you haven’t ever done so before: the world. Again, it doesn’t mean you have to go halfway across the world to do so, but you can pray. So I encourage you to do so:)
For more information:
Child Soldiers International – https://www.child-soldiers.org/
United Nations report of the UN Secretary General, “Children and Armed Conflicts” – http://undocs.org/s/2018/465
