Armed Conflict, Violation of Child Rights and Implications for Change

Belay Tefera Kibret

Abstract

This research attempted to examine the armed conflict in South Sudan, its general impacts, and specifically how the conflict has affected South Sudanese children by violating their rights for survival and development. Data were secured from both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources included data secured from key informants. Secondary data were secured from office files, media talks, statistical publications, and research reports. Data secured from these different sources indicated that the armed conflict had a long historical presence but turned debilitating mainly in its last couple of decades. Furthermore, the war has impacted on children either by directly increasing their vulnerability or indirectly targeting their way of life (demolishing infrastructure and institutions that cater for their needs). It was noted that many children were exposed to unbearable impacts of cross border migration and internal displacement, material deprivations that imposed child work to sustain one’s life and their families, abuse and maltreatment (child soldiering and child abduction), a compromised schooling, and child streetism. General implications were drawn as to how to reduce the impacts.