Accountability and Reintegration of Child Soldiers via Baraza

Abstract

The task of reintegrating former child soldiers can involve enormous challenges in a context where justice and security are endangered by ongoing conflict. The dual identity of child soldiers as victims and as perpetrators means that they need to both be adequately held accountable and reintegrated into society. Two main approaches have evolved to assist ex-combatants account for their alleged involvement in atrocities and be reinserted into the community, namely transitional justice mechanisms (truth and reconciliation commissions and special/hybrid criminal courts/tribunals) and traditionally-based approaches.