OSINT sources are indicating an upsurge in the number of child soldiers being recruited to the war front in the South Sudan civil war.
This worrying trend, according to intelligence sources, can be attributed to increased recruiters on the side of Riek Machar, the leader of the rebel forces fighting Africa’s youngest government.
Notorious is South Sudan’s ex-government general and now militia commander Johnson Olony, who is organizing children and plunging them into war to fight.
OSINT summary pertaining South Sudan Child Soldiers
- Child soldiers recruited are aged between 13 and 17 years
- Children agencies estimate that there are at least 13,000 child soldiers fighting in the country
- Older fighters have carried out horrific crimes against children including castration, rape and tying children together before slitting their throats. Others are thrown into burning houses.
Analysis of the situation in South Sudan- Child Soldiers
- Intelligence sources have foreseen an ugly twist in South Sudan civil crisis especially as more recruits are enrolled to fight the government.
- Social amenities have critically plunged in the war torn country as aid agencies flee
IGAD bloc leaders are trying to forge a way towards successful peace talks and end the civil strife. This can only be achieved by first adhering to ceasefire agreements.
