CHILD NARRATOR AND THE DYNAMICS OF WAR TIME REALITIES IN BIYI BANDELE’S BURMA BOY AND AHMADOU KOUROUMA’S ALLAH IS NOT OBLIGED

Abstract This study explores the portrayal of child soldiers in Ahmadu Kouroumah's Allah is not Obliged and Biyi Bandele's Burma Boy. The narratives depict the harrowing experiences of child combatants, their struggle for survival, and the long-lasting trauma they endure. Trauma theory is employ to examine child soldiering in the context of the two text. The authors use the emotional representation of these young boys' participation to shed light on the broader issues surrounding child soldiering in war. The research highlights the detrimental effects of children's involvement in armed conflicts, emphasizing the need for ethical and moral considerations to prevent the enlistment of minors in warfare. As a library based research, the researcher adopts qualitative methodology to carry out a close reading of the two primary text while referencing other materials such as journals, Newspaper and magazines to support the research as secondary sources. The findings suggest that child soldiers face heightened risks of violence exposure and psychological harm, underscoring the urgency of addressing this grave human rights violation. Ultimately, this study advocates for greater awareness and action to protect children from the devastating impacts of armed conflict.