Mali : UN envoy speaks out against reported child soldier recruitment in northern Mali

The United Nations envoy for children and armed conflict today voiced grave concern over reports of recruitment of child soldiers by Tuareg rebels and Islamist militias in northern Mali, stressing that both groups have a responsibility to comply with their obligations under international law.“Under no circumstances can the recruitment and use of children be tolerated,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, in a statement. “I wish to remind all forces of their responsibility to comply with their obligations under international law.”