On the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, the Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) raised alarm about the alarming situation of children in Sudan, especially with respect to ongoing conflicts that have escalated significantly since April 2023. The organization highlighted that currently, one in five children across the country exists in conflict-affected environments, where they are heavily impacted by violence and the lingering consequences of war.

The DNHR pointed out that children have become increasingly vulnerable to the practices of recruitment and abuse by various armed groups, notably the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The recruitment of child soldiers has intensified, subjecting these children to extreme violations and exploitation. Survivors of such atrocities face not only physical injuries but also deep psychological scars and ongoing instability, as the conflict disrupts their lives and futures.

With the persistence of these issues, the DNHR has reiterated the critical necessity for urgent protective measures to safeguard children's rights and ensure their well-being. The strikingly high rate of child exploitation in this volatile region serves as a grim reminder of the responsibilities that national and international stakeholders hold in combatting these violations and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children who are often seen as the most innocent victims of war.