Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers - review 2010

For more general information about the Coalition click on this link: Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (Coalition) has undergone substantial changes to its staff this year. Boniface Mush’ayuma, the Goma-based Regional Advisor to the Great Lakes, joined the Coalition in February 2009. Carolyn Norris, Africa Program Manager, joined the Secretariat in May 2009, bringing over twenty years of experience working on Africa. In June she was joined by Sarah Mathewson, Africa Program Officer. Charu Lata Hogg was appointed as Asia Program Manager in May, and was later replaced by Sue Appleyard when she began maternity leave in December.

The funds donated by the One Percent Scheme over the course of last year supported the Coalition’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which included a range of awareness-raising, research and advocacy projects. For example, after reports of child recruitment in the eastern region of DRC increased in early 2009, the Coalition and its partner organizations broadcast a series of radio appeals on children’s rights and the illegality of child recruitment. An illustrated guide to the national and international legislation prohibiting child recruitment and use in the DRC was also published in French and local languages. This will be distributed among organizations and individuals involved in the field of child protection and child rights, to serve as a resource in their advocacy work with the government, the military and armed groups.

The Coalition’s Africa Program team conducted field research on the recruitment and use of children by the Mai Mai (militia groups in eastern DRC who claim to be fighting to defend the local population). The research explored the diverse ideological, economic and social factors that motivate some children to join the Mai Mai, and why families and communities might encourage children to join. The research also revealed the dreadful conditions and experiences that children endure in the Mai Mai ranks, and the hostility and suspicion they face on returning to their communities. Finally, it highlighted the high level of responsibility borne by the Congolese government for the Mai Mai’s use of children; in addition to the legal obligation to end child recruitment and to sanction perpetrators, the government has a long history of both indirect and direct support for Mai Mai groups. The research findings have been compiled into a briefing paper and recommendations for action by political, judicial and military authorities, among others. This briefing will be widely publicized during a mission to the DRC in February this year.

Throughout 2010 the Coalition will continue to implement its advocacy plans on the Mai Mai in collaboration with its partner organizations. Plans are also underway to submit a shadow report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to be considered alongside the report of the DRC government on the fulfilment of its obligations under the Optional Protocol on Children and Armed Conflict (OPAC). Coalition partner organizations will be involved in the research and advocacy surrounding this project. The Coalition has also started planning a project on the reintegration of girls associated with armed forces and groups, raising awareness of the specific challenges faced by girls with a view to facilitating their access to services that are tailored to address their needs. The Coalition is also planning to extend its work into Central Africa.

Sarah Matthewson
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, January 2010