AP Exclusive: Child soldiers recount horrors of Sudan’s war and presence of Colombian mercenaries
Summary
Child soldiers in Sudan have been forced to fight in the ongoing war between Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army. Some children were trained and guarded by Colombian mercenaries who helped the RSF, and were shackled to weapons during attacks on the capital, Khartoum.Key Facts
- The war in Sudan is now in its fourth year between the RSF and the Sudanese army.
- Children as young as 15 have been kidnapped and forced to fight for the RSF.
- Some of these child soldiers were trained and guarded by Colombian mercenaries working with the RSF.
- The mercenaries are believed to have been recruited by a company linked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Human rights groups and a U.N. panel say the UAE has sent weapons to support the RSF, but the UAE denies this, claiming the shipments were for humanitarian aid.
- Children were shackled to anti-aircraft guns on pickup trucks and forced to shoot at warplanes during attacks.
- The children were kept bound continuously, not allowed to bathe normally, and punished severely for any disobedience.
- These accounts come from six former child soldiers who spoke to the Associated Press anonymously for safety reasons.
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