Rebels Use Child Soldiers In Northern Mali

In the past few days, there have been several reports of child soldiers among the ranks of the rebel militias who have taken control of northern Mali.

• On the spot foreign journalists from the Observers confirm this, and one has even sent to the news desk a photo showing young boys wearing uniforms and carrying firearms in the streets of Gossi.
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• Gossi, population of 25,000, is located near Timbuktu. It was taken over by Tuareg separatist rebels from the National Azawad Liberation Movement (MNLA) last week.

•  Local residents say Islamist insurgents have also been spotted in Gossi, just like in other northern cities like Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu.
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• Several media reports have noted the presence of fighters, younger than 18, in the ranks of the rebel militias spread throughout the region.

• A Timbuktu resident, contacted by RFI, said there were no policemen in the streets there, and that “little armed children” controlled the city.

•  In Gao, journalists also saw “very young boys in the ranks of the Tuaregs patrolling the streets in pick-up trucks.”
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• After two and a half months of fighting, the MNLA unilaterally declared the independence of Azawad, a territory roughly made up of three regions in north Mali, on Friday. This declaration was condemned by the international community.