African Union: Morocco calls for child soldiers accountability

Morocco has called on the Peace & Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) to take action against those recruiting and using child soldiers in armed conflicts.

Addressing remotely the PSC meeting convening Tuesday in Addis Ababa, the Moroccan delegation stressed the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach combining action and prevention against the use of child soldiers in hostilities.

Morocco seized this opportunity to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to protecting and promoting the fundamental rights of all children. As a major contributor to peacekeeping efforts across the continent, Morocco is combating this scourge through the launching of awareness campaigns in coordination with regional and international partners.

Morocco also condemns the recruitment and use of children by armed forces, groups, and terrorist organizations in Africa, and stresses the importance of international cooperation to end child’s human rights abuse.

Recruiting and using children under the age of 15 as soldiers is prohibited under international humanitarian law and is defined as a war crime by the International Criminal Court.

While many children are recruited by force, others join armed groups out of desperation. As communities break down during war, children are often separated from their families, driven from their homes, and left with no opportunity to go to school.

In situations of extreme insecurity, many vulnerable children believe that joining an armed group is their best chance of protection or survival. However, regardless of how children are recruited, the military commanders that exploit them as soldiers put them at extreme risk and will face prosecution.

Many child soldiers participating directly in hostilities may be subject to injury, disability, and death. They are often exposed to extreme levels of violence that result in life-long emotional and psychological scars.