Child Soldier News

News from children's charities and research about Child Soldiers

A ‘Child Soldier’ is any child – boy or girl – under 18 years of age, who is forced to join and operate within a armed force or armed group in any capacity. It does not only refer to a child who is carrying, or has carried, weapons.

In the world today there are hundreds of thousands of child soldiers who have been abducted or forcibly recruited, or are driven to join by poverty, abuse and discrimination.

Ishmael Beah Visits Central African Republic

29/08/2012 – Thousands of child soldiers are serving with armed groups in the Central African Republic. While the United Nations is assisting some of these children, helping them regain their lost childhoods is not always easy.

DRC: Child Soldier Recruitment on the Rise

17/08/2012 – Children as young as 12 are reported to have been recruited by the M23 group of rebel soldiers operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Reintegration a Challenge for Former Child Soldiers

14/08/2012 – A new report by Reuters shows the difficulties former child combatants in Colombia face when returning to civilian life.

The Changing Face of Suicide Bombing

09/08/2012 – One expert predicts we’ll see more female and child suicide bombers. Children as young as six years old have been told to carry out suicide attacks in Afghanistan.

Malian Children Made Child Soldiers

07/08/2012 – Rebel forces in Mali have recruited hundreds of child soldiers, say child rights activists. Citizen groups of young men and women are now training to take on the rebels with the army’s help.