CLIMATE (MIS) GOVERNANCE, CHILD SOLDIERING, AND SILENCING THE GUNS IN AFRICA

This study explores the intersection of climate misgovernance, child soldiering, and the persistence of conflict in fragile African states. It argues that the inability of state institutions to effectively address environmental crises such as desertification, irregular rainfall, and resource depletion creates socio-economic vulnerabilities that armed groups exploit, particularly through the recruitment of children. Drawing on the human security and state fragility frameworks, the paper shows how climate-induced displacement, weak governance, and institutional breakdown heighten conflict risks and entrench the use of children in armed roles. Using case studies from the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it demonstrates that ecological stress intensifies insecurity while undermining child protection systems. The paper concludes by advocating integrated policies on climate adaptation, peacebuilding, and child rights as necessary steps to advance the African Union's 'Silencing the Guns' agenda and promote sustainable security.