Jean Chrysostome K. Kiyala: Child Soldiers and Restorative Justice - Participatory Action Research in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2019).

ISBN (Hardcover): 978-3-319-90070-4
ISBN (Softcover): 978-3-030-07927-7
ISBN (MyCopy): 978-3-319-90072-8

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• Describes policies, and local and international standards on child soldiering accountability
• Enhances child soldiers' reintegration and prevention through restorative justice and locally-based approaches, such as Baraza (conflict resolution forum)
• Serves as entry point to making former child soldiers peacemakers in their communities through peacemaking circles and Baraza

Introduction

This book investigates how, while children used as soldiers are primarily perceived as victims of offences against international law, they also commit war atrocities. In the aftermath of armed conflict, the mainstream justice system targets warlords internationally, armed groups and militias’ commanders who abduct and enrol children as combatants, leaving child perpetrators not being held accountable for their alleged gross human rights violations. Attempts to prosecute child soldiers through the mainstream justice system have resulted in child rights abuses. Where no accountability measures have been taken, demobilised young soldiers have experienced rejection, and eventually, some have returned to soldiering. This research provides evidence of the potential of restorative justice peacemaking circles and locally-based jurisprudence – specifically the Baraza - to hold former child soldiers accountable and facilitate their reintegration into society.

Keywords: Baraza, Child soldiers, Democratic Republic of Congo, Restorative justice, Transitional justice, Reintegration of child soldiers, Accountability of child soldiers, Child soldier prevention, Child soldiers in Congo, Local jurisprudence for child soldiers

Author’s affiliations

Jean Chrysostome K. Kiyala, International Centre of Nonviolence, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa