Africa: To Forgive Is Divine - Is the Church the Key to Reintegrating Child Soldiers?

11 October 2018
analysis

Many children returned from armed groups are wracked by guilt. Religious ceremonies could be essential to alleviate these feelings.

Martha* is among thousands of girls who have been recruited by armed groups in South Sudan. Abducted while farming tomatoes with her mother, she was blindfolded by opposition forces and taken deep into the bush. She witnessed killings and assaults. She was beaten and forced to "marry" a soldier during more than 18 months with the group.

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