Child Soldiers

Through out Africa there are hundreds of thousands of child soldiers. All around the world there are more than a quarter of a million children soldiers. Not just boys but girls also. Some volunteer and some are recruited by the government. In certain countries such as Uganda street children are forced into joining the army and are sent off to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda has very strict rules about being involved in the army. The Lord's Resistance army comes into schools and recruits children. If they do not want to participate, or they end up quitting they are killed.

These children have different jobs in the army. Some times they are held to man posts and keep watch. That job however is only when they are not active in combat. These young children are carrying around assault rifles and are the ones who protect their country.
There are newer movies out that show the child soldiers. Lord of War is about gun trafficking and toward the end of the movie the guns are traded in Africa. There is a conflict of interest because there are child soldiers and they are going to be receiving the guns and will be killing innocent women and children. Basically the main character says that it is not his problem what they do with the guns, it is his job to sell them. Blood Diamond also shows many African children who have been brainwashed to believe that they are soldiers and are the future of Africa.

In an article written in February of 2007 by CNN officials of UNICEF said that they were seeing promising signs and change. More and more African countries are joining the movement to make sure that children are no longer recruited for war. They are setting guidelines and age requirements. Ages 18 and older (in some cases 17) are now the only ones allowed to fight for the countries in agreement. Some countries are slow to change but in time they will be required to follow the new regulations.

For these new requirements to be followed there need to be funds available, and right now there is a shortage. Because of the economic status of many countries in Africa children are abandoned by their parents and found in a position where fighting is the only answer. Otherwise they have no food or ways of living.

In order for there to be a major change things need to improve for Africa and its people. They need food, shelter, and medical and then they night be able to care for the families that they have. Once they have these things they may be able to regulate who fights for who.