The Child Soldiers of Africa's Red Army: The Role of Social Process and Routinised Violence in South Sudan's Military

This book explores the use of underaged soldiers in South Sudan's civil war, highlighting the organized exploitation of children and youth by senior adult figures within the movement. It also includes interviews with original Red Army commanders and considers the cultural transformation experienced by members of the Red Army.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate relationship between social processes and the utilization of underage soldiers in the country now recognized as South Sudan during the protracted civil war that lasted for twenty-one years, pitting the northern and southern regions of Sudan against each other. By drawing upon firsthand accounts provided by South Sudanese individuals who, as children and teenagers, served in the Red Army, the youth wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), the book sheds light on the organized nature of the exploitation of children and youth by senior adult figures within the movement. Furthermore, the book includes insightful interviews with several of the original Red Army commanders, who later assumed prominent roles in the military and government of South Sudan.

The author meticulously chronicles the cultural transformation undergone by members of the Red Army and explores the potential for an analysis of the processes involved in what was then the longest civil war in Africa to provide valuable insights into South Sudan's recent descent into ethnicized conflict. This book appeals to scholars and researchers with interests in sociology, anthropology, and political science, particularly those who are passionate about ethnography, conflict, and the military exploitation of children.

Through its detailed examination of the role of social processes and routinized violence in the recruitment and deployment of underage soldiers, this book offers a profound understanding of the complex dynamics that contributed to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, activists, and individuals seeking to address the challenges of child soldier recruitment and promote peace and stability in the region.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367742614