Central Sahel Analysis on the Level of Risk for Children recruited by armed Groups

This study published by the Groupe d’Etudes et de Recherches sur les Migrations et Faits de Société (GERM) aims to inform Sahelian states and child rights actors about the risk of child recruitment in the region due to the deteriorating conflict situation and school closures/out-of-school children. Data collection was carried out in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso at different sites between 4 May and 28 June 2021.

The study looks at the different explanatory factors of child recruitment, the activity of young people in armed groups, as well as the rules within these groups and the effect that this recruitment has on young people and children. This comprehensive study also discusses how these young people view the prospect of leaving the group and brings together their testimonies in a collection of stories. The last part develops the question of the reintegration of these ex-members of armed groups into their families.

Different perspectives are developed on this subject (legal, societal, pedagogical), based on the data collected during the study. A point on the Sahel countries and their perspective, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on it, is supported.

Finally, programmes for the prevention, demobilisation and reintegration of child soldiers are presented, along with recommendations.

This study was commissioned by Save the Children. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Laboratoire GERM of the Université Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis and do not necessarily reflect the views of Save the Children.