Many children in Sudan today do not have permanent housing. Sudan: Escalating fighting has had disastrous consequences for children Human Rights
The rapid escalation of hostilities and the widespread deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Sudan have led to a surge in serious violations against children, the UN Secretary-General’s report on children and armed conflict released today highlights.
Killing, Recruitment, Rape
The report says that between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, 2,168 grave violations were documented against 1,913 children, including 1,525 cases of killing and maiming, 277 cases of recruitment and exploitation, and 153 cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence.
A sharp increase in grave violations was observed after the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Intervention Forces broke out on 15 April 2023. In addition, intercommunal clashes and conflicts between herders and farmers have also resulted in violence against children, mainly in Darfur and Blue Nile states.
Food insecurity
The report says that the war in Sudan has created a catastrophic humanitarian situation, with children going hungry and humanitarian organisations facing obstacles in delivering humanitarian aid. Some 14 million children need support and protection, with water and food shortages and many without shelter. In addition, about 19 million children in Sudan do not attend school.
“The situation in Sudan is catastrophic and children’s lives are at stake. I urge parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian objects, in full compliance with international humanitarian law, and to engage with the United Nations to adopt and implement concrete measures to protect children,” said Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
Closure of the mission in Sudan
The report also highlights the challenges created by the closure of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), which will not only impact the monitoring and reporting of grave violations against children, but will also result in a reduction in the number of child protection staff on the ground.
Efforts to release recruited persons children
Prior to the escalation of hostilities on 15 April 2023, notable progress was made in implementing the 2021 roadmap through the development of a national framework for the release and reintegration of recruited children. As a result, the first joint mission of the United Nations and signatory countries to the Juba Peace Agreement took place in early 2023 and led to the release of 122 children from the conflict.
Despite the difficulties associated with the escalation of hostilities, the UN continued to engage with all parties to the conflict.
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