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Journals / Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 15 Sayı: 2

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

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

Uche Nnawulezi(University of Lay Adventists of Kigali)0000-0003-2718-3946
Jacques Kabano(University of Lay Adventists of Kigali)0000-0002-0248-9204
Obinna Okereke(Federal University Wukari)0009-0008-8793-5693
Pages
1723–1770
Publication Date
2025-12-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Recommendations include an Africa-specific minor definition (under 18), criminalising all recruitment, and prioritising reparative justice.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines child soldier recruitment jurisprudence in sub-Saharan Africa, where state collapse and unrest enable minors' conscription.
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Key Findings & Data:Using doctrinal methodology, it assesses causal factors and regional legal frameworks shaped by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and hybrid tribunal prosecutions.
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Conclusion & Impact:Recommendations include an Africa-specific minor definition (under 18), criminalising all recruitment, and prioritising reparative justice.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Sahra Altı Afrika · Malabo Protokolü · Uluslararası Ceza Mahkemesi

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.

Özet

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.

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Cite This Article

Nnawulezi, U., Kabano, J., Okereke, O. (2025). Child Soldier Recruitment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Jurisprudential Advances, Causal Factors, And Persistent Challenges. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 2, 1723–1770. https://doi.org/10.52273/sduhfd..1756928

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