ALBAWABA - In an official report, UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, Siobhán Mullally, expressed concern about the increased risk of recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups in Sudan, as the months-long war between rival militaries continues.
Mullally said that unaccompanied children and children from poor families have reportedly been targeted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in the outskirts of the capital Khartoum and elsewhere.
"The deteriorating humanitarian situation and lack of access to food and other basic services make children, especially unaccompanied and separated children on the streets, easy targets for recruitment by armed groups," Mullally said.
The UN Human Rights Council expert expressed deep concern regarding the recruitment of children by armed groups for any form of exploitation, including in combat roles.
The UN firmly rejects such acts as it is a blatant violation of human rights, a serious crime, and a violation of international humanitarian law.
Mullally called for all conflict parties to return to peace talks and reach a comprehensive ceasefire deal that would allow for the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and ensure accountability for suspected violations.
"Urgent action is needed to address these pressing concerns and take effective measures to prevent child trafficking and provide effective protection to child victims and children at risk, in particular displaced, unaccompanied and separated children, refugee children and children with disabilities,".
Six months into the war that erupted on April 15 in Sudan, the UN Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, described the situation as "one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history,".
Mid-April earlier this year, a power struggle erupted in the African country between Sudanese Army Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leaving at least 9,000 people killed in brutal combats that took place across a number of Sudanese cities including Khartoum and Omdurman.
Over the course of the first few weeks, the war expanded to include the war-torn region of western Darfur. The UN reported that millions have been displaced either within Sudan or to neighboring countries.
