Seminar: The aftermath of demobilization for children and youth in the Central African Republic

This seminar presents the final report of the project ‘Being young in times of duress in the Central African Republic (CAR)’. The report highlights the difficult circumstances under which children are joining armed groups (‘child soldiers’) in the CAR and their lived realities after they are ‘liberated’ and ‘demobilized’. Based on qualitative research conducted by researchers from the African Studies Centre Leiden and from the anthropology department at the University of Bangui, the report investigates in particular the potential for remobilization in a chronically unstable environment.

This project was undertaken in collaboration with UNICEF Netherlands and funded by the Nationale Postcode Loterij (NPL) from 2016 to 2018.

Film material will be shown made by Sjoerd Sijsma, independant filmmaker for Eyeses.

This seminar will be hosted by the Collaborative Research Group Politics, Governance and Law in Africa. Chair: Prof. Jan Abbink.

Speakers
Dr. Jonna Both, African Studies Centre Leiden
Marius Crépin Mouguia, PhD Candidate University of Bangui/Leiden University

Discussants
Aliou Maiga, head Child Protection at UNICEF Central African Republic (video call)
Dr. Roos van der Haer, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Political Science, Leiden University