Children most affected by endless conflict in Somalia
NAIROBI, Kenya – Somalia has been ranked as one of the countries where children face a multitude of challenges due to endless conflicts, which expose them to dangers and other challenges, which make life difficult for them when grow up.
In a report released by the United Nations, the Horn of Africa country is closely followed by Congo, Afghanistan and Syria, the four accounting for nearly 60% of all violations among entries on its list. annual blackout in countries where children experience severe abuse.
The country plunged into a serious civil war in 1991 after the ousting of military dictator Siad Barre, further subjecting thousands of women and children to conditions of vulnerability. Thousands of them have died or been displaced in the conflict.
In addition to political intrigue and clan animosity, Somalia also grapples with violent extremism. Al-Shabaab militants control large areas in the center and south of the country, targeting more children to be recruited into the group.
“Children can no longer be the last priority on the international agenda or the least protected group of individuals on the planet,” Virginia Gamba, UN special representative for children in armed conflict, told reporters. , when launching the report. “We need to offer children an alternative to violence and abuse. We need peace, respect for children’s rights and democracy.
Gamba said the most prevalent violations in 2020 were the recruitment and use of children by security forces and armed groups and the murder and mutilation of children.
“We are extremely alarmed by the 90% increase in child abductions compared to previous years, as well as by the increase in rape and other forms of sexual violence, registering a 70% increase compared to previous years” , she added. quoted by the Voice of America.
More than 3,200 children were confirmed abducted in conflict situations in 2020, and at least 1,268 were victims of sexual violence, according to the report.
Among the worst offenders, Gamba said Somalia had “by far the most violations”, mostly perpetrated by al-Shabab terrorists. In Afghanistan, she said the Taliban were responsible for two-thirds of the violations, and the government and pro-government militias for the rest.
However, human rights groups have criticized the report over the years, saying double standards apply to the creation of the blacklist and that some countries escape responsibility.
“We strongly urge the (UN) Secretary-General to reconsider his decision and keep the parties to conflict around the world at the same level,” Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said in a statement.
“Secretary-General (Antonio) Guterres leaves warring parties involved in child death and mutilation off the hook by leaving Israel, the Saudi-led coalition (in Yemen) and other offenders on his’ list shame, ”said Jo Becker, children’s rights advocate at Human Rights Watch. “His repeated failure to base his list on the UN’s own evidence betrays children and fuels impunity.
Somalia is expected to hold indirect elections in the coming weeks after stakeholders agree on various issues that had been raised by political leaders. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo faces a re-election challenge from seasoned politicians, including former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
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