Child Recruitment

HRW found about 25 accounts of child recruitment in the area during a visit to Malakal in late January. The HRW investigators spoke with parents and relatives of abducted children, and with other children who escaped recruitment or whose friends were recruited. Adults who were recruited alongside children also confirmed the practice. Some of the abducted children were immediately sent to the front lines. One man over 18 years of age said he was abducted and placed in a truck with six “small” children whom he believed to be around ages 13 to 15. The children are presently in the army as of Feb 17, 2015.