Ethiopia - Addis News Network Daily News

Reports from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, reveal a troubling situation of forced conscription and the recruitment of child soldiers amidst the backdrop of a protracted civil conflict. Former soldiers, who have surrendered to opposition forces, recount harrowing experiences of being forcibly seized from various locations, such as workplaces, homes, or streets, and thrust into military training with minimal preparation before being sent to the front lines.

This coercive approach by the government comes at a time when there is a growing opposition among the youth, many of whom are either indifferent or openly against the government's military actions. Social media platforms have become channels for families to express their distress and uncertainty, with parents unsure whether their children have been taken away forcibly to join the conflict.

Moreover, there are grave accusations of the government recruiting minors for military operations, a flagrant violation of international treaties like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The scarcity of soldiers due to casualties and other factors has apparently led the government to target younger demographics, as evidenced by social media images and testimonies.

In response to these allegations, human rights organizations and political groups are calling for swift international condemnation and intervention. They emphasize the urgent need to protect Ethiopia's youth from exploitation and to ensure the government's compliance with international human rights standards. This call to action seeks to hold the Ethiopian government accountable and to safeguard the rights of children and young people who are increasingly vulnerable in the midst of the ongoing conflict.