Child Soldier Recruitment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Jurisprudential Advances, Causal Factors, And Persistent Challenges

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 1723 - 1770, 30.12.2025

Uche Nnawulezi , Jacques Kabano , Obinna Okereke

Abstract

This study examines child soldier recruitment jurisprudence in sub-Saharan Africa, where state collapse and unrest enable minors' conscription. Using doctrinal methodology, it assesses causal factors and regional legal frameworks shaped by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and hybrid tribunal prosecutions. Key drivers include political instability, non-state armed groups, indoctrination, economic desperation, and societal collapse. Jurisprudential advances feature rulings by ICC, such as Lubanga and Ongwen and instruments (African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), Malabo Protocol). Persistent challenges impede eradication: ambiguous "child"/"child soldier" definitions; debates on minors' accountability; male-centric approaches; Malabo Protocol non-ratification; lack of statutory reparations; and insufficient Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs. Harmonised legal reforms, gender-sensitive frameworks, ratifying pending instruments (e.g., Malabo Protocol), and strengthened institutions are essential. Recommendations include an Africa-specific minor definition (under 18), criminalising all recruitment, and prioritising reparative justice.

Keywords

Sub-Saharan Africa , Malabo Protocol , International Criminal Court , Child Soldiering , Armed Conflicts

Sahra Altı Afrika'da Çocuk Asker Alımı: Hukuksal Gelişmeler, Nedensel Faktörler ve Kalıcı Zorluklar

Abstract

Bu çalışma, devlet çöküşü ve karışıklığın reşit olmayanların askere alınmasını mümkün kıldığı Sahraaltı Afrika'daki çocuk asker alma içtihadını incelemektedir. Doktrine dayalı bir metodoloji kullanılarak, nedensel faktörler ve Uluslararası Ceza Mahkemesi (UCM) ve karma mahkemeler yargılamaları tarafından şekillendirilen bölgesel yasal çerçeveler değerlendirilmektedir. Temel etkenler arasında siyasi istikrarsızlık, devlet dışı silahlı gruplar, endoktrinasyon, ekonomik çaresizlik ve toplumsal çöküş yer almaktadır. İçtihadi gelişmeler arasında kararlar (Lubanga, Ongwen) ve belgeler (Afrika Çocuk Hakları ve Esenliği Sözleşmesi (ACRWC) ve Malabo Protokolü) yer almaktadır. Durumun ortadan kalkmasını engelleyen süregelen zorluklar; muğlak “çocuk”/“çocuk asker” tanımları; reşit olmayanların hesap verebilirliğine ilişkin tartışmalar; erkek merkezli yaklaşımlar; Malabo Protokolünün onaylanmaması; yasal tazminatların eksikliği; ve yetersiz Silahsızlandırma, Terhis ve Topluma Kazandırma (DDR) programlarını içermektedir. Uyumlaştırılmış yasal reformlar, toplumsal cinsiyete duyarlı çerçeveler, bekleyen belgelerin (örneğin Malabo Protokolü) onaylanması ve güçlendirilmiş kurumlar elzemdir. Öneriler arasında Afrika'ya özgü bir reşit olmayan tanımı (18 yaş altı), tüm işe alımların suç sayılması ve onarıcı adalete öncelik verilmesi yer almaktadır.

Keywords

Sahra Altı Afrika , Malabo Protokolü , Uluslararası Ceza Mahkemesi , Çocuk Askerler , Silahlı Çatışmalar

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