Thousands of children fighting in Somalia, UN Chief

Spread the news

Thousands of children may constitute a large part of the force recruited and used by the armed al-Shabab group in Somalia, said the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently.

In a report to the Security Council, the UN chief expressed alarm and said al-Shabab used children in combat, with nine-year-olds reportedly taught to use weapons and sent to frontlines. Children were also used to transport explosives, work as spies, carry ammunition or perform domestic chores, Guterres said.

It was estimated more than half of al-Shabab’s force were children,and at least 60 percent of the group’s “elements” captured in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region in March 2016 were youngsters.

Some of those children said they were approached with the promise of education and jobs, he said.

TOA Correspondent

Recent Posts

The top Nigerian who hated his own voice

Nigeria’s leading music figure and vocalist, Cobhams Asuquo, known for his singing and production said…

3 years ago

South African court halts Amazon HQ project

Following a mixed reaction from the South African community representatives, Khoi and San, the Cape…

3 years ago

How Digitalization in African Rail Transportation Is Enhancing Safety?

Mitigating the process and service barriers in African rail transportation, the digital disruption has transformed…

3 years ago

Tunisian leader to allow public views on reforms

Kais Saied, the Tunisian president has said in his speech that he will allow the…

3 years ago

The power of Niacinamide in the trending African skincare market

You know the credibility of an ingredient when it’s plastered all over bottles and jars…

3 years ago

Mozambique death toll from Cyclone Gombe rises to 48

Cyclone Gombe that flooded large areas of central and northern Mozambique is consistently leading to…

3 years ago

This website uses cookies.