In the south of the CAR, we help former child soldiers and minors left alone because of the war to rebuild their lives, offering psychological assistance, support for schooling and vocational training, and facilitating their reintegration into their families and communities.

 

Violence and armed clashes are still a daily reality for children in the Central African Republic, who see their rights violated and are often victims of the indiscriminate use of explosive devices by the parties to the conflict.

According to a recent report by the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in the Central African Republic, between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023, 1,432 serious violations occurred against 1,046 children. Of these, the most serious violation is the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, followed by abduction and sexual violence.

Children join an armed group for various reasons. Some are abducted, threatened, coerced or manipulated; others are driven by poverty, still others join to survive or to protect their community. Regardless of their involvement, the recruitment and use of children by armed forces is a serious violation of children’s rights and international humanitarian law. For a child, participation in a conflict has serious implications for their physical and emotional well-being. They are commonly subjected to abuse and most witness deaths, killings and sexual violence. Many are forced to commit violent acts and some suffer severe long-term psychological consequences.

 

“I was out of work and living conditions were bad in Pombolo, at the peak of the crisis. So I joined an armed group to take care of my younger sister and my widowed grandmother. After the death of my comrade-in-arms, I decided to leave the ranks of the armed group to try to resume a normal life. The stigma of my previous life and the atrocities I had suffered, however, made my social integration difficult, although my grandmother gave me unwavering support.“

Identified through his visits to INTERSOS Children’s Spaces, Daren was able to take a three-month training course in sewing with a local trainer, and learnt how to manage the income from his business.

“This job will allow me to pay for my own school and that of my younger sister. I have never had this kind of assistance before.”

Daren 17 years old

 

Violence and indiscriminate reprisals against civilians result in innocent victims and often force families to separate, leaving many children completely alone, exposed to serious danger of abuse, school dropout and significant psychological consequences.

 

“During attacks by armed groups in Dimbi in 2021, my grandmother and I had to flee separately. We found refuge in two different villages. My life no longer made sense because the person who took care of me was no longer there. It was the people of goodwill who fed me. When I met the INTERSOS team, I was able to train to become a barber and now my life has taken a new direction. The team also helped me reconnect with my grandmother and with what I earn I can now take care of both myself and her and go back to school, which I had abandoned for two years.”

Barif, 15 years old

 

In the sub-prefecture of Kembè, in the south-east of CAR, our aid workers work to create a protected and safe environment for girls and boys affected by the armed conflict, identifying and supporting children associated with armed forces and groups, working to facilitate their reunification with their families and reintegration into the communities, and providing vocational training to make them economically self-reliant and to foster their reintegration as active individuals in the communities. By the end of 2023, our workers had facilitated the socio-professional reintegration of 25 children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups and the school reintegration of 124 children at risk of dropping out. In addition, 43 vulnerable children were followed through psychological support and other protection activities aimed at preventing abuse and violence.

 

“When I have fun with the other children who attend INTERSOS children’s spaces, I stop thinking that my parents are no longer there. Before, it was not easy to face this reality.”

Mania, 15, lost both parents during the crisis that shook the city of Kembé. She lives with her maternal grandfather, who cannot afford to send her to school. After being intercepted by INTERSOS workers, she was able to start attending school again, much to her grandfather’s happiness.

“I lost everything during the political and military crises that shook Kembé and I did not know how to send my granddaughter to school. I wondered every day what Mania’s future would be, I am so happy to see her go back to school’.

Mania, 15 years old

 

Education and training are important aspects of reintegration programmes, as is reuniting children with their families and communities, but sometimes outreach and reconciliation efforts are needed before a child is welcomed home.

 

“I left the armed forces two years ago to start a new life, but my community did not accept me. I was not working and I even thought of taking my own life, it no longer made sense.

Thanks to a local authority who knew me, I was informed and referred to the INTERSOS Listening Centre. I received psychological assistance and was then selected to attend a commercial training course in jewellery making. After the training, INTERSOS also provided me with support kits so that I could carry out my activities. People who used to stigmatise me now often come to buy my products and even make me beads. I have finally found joy again and I see a bright future ahead of me”.

Asma, 17 years old

 

Former child soldiers trying to rebuild a normal life face several obstacles in being readmitted into society. Some children are viewed with suspicion judged or outright rejected because of their past, while others may struggle to fit into a normal context because they are scarred by their traumatic experiences. Psychological distress may make it difficult for children to process and verbalise their experiences, especially when they fear stigma or public reaction. In addition, families and communities may find it difficult to understand or accept children returning home. Communities need support to care for children returning home, just as the thousands of boys and girls leaving the armed forces to rebuild their future need it.