Child Soldiers in Africa

Child soldier is a worldwide issue, but it became most critical in the Africa. Child soldiers are any children under the age of 18 who are recruited by some rebel groups and used as fighters, cooks, messengers, human shields and suicide bombers, some of them even under the aged 10 when they are forced to serve. Physically vulnerable and easily intimidated, children typically make obedient soldiers. Most of them are abducted or recruited by force, and often compelled to follow orders under threat of death. As society breaks down during conflict, leaving children no access to school, driving them from their homes, or separating them from family members, many children feel that rebel groups become their best chance for survival. Others seek escape from poverty or join military forces to avenge family members who have been killed by the war. Sometimes they even forced to commit atrocities against their own family (britjob p 4 ). The horrible and tragic fate of many unfortunate children is set on path of war murders and suffering, more nations should help to prevent these tragedies and to help stop the suffering of these poor, unfortunate an innocent children.

Over the years, many militants and rebel groups have propped up across Africa. because of the exist of these rebel groups, they trained child as their Jetton. Shockingly, many of them have often been spotted carrying very sophisticated weapons, and many weapons that can take down planes. child soldier is detrimental to peace and to children who are the future (britjob p6). most of people are wondering that why children are use as soldiers. the most basic reason is children are more obedient than adults, they almost can carry out every orders from their command...

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...iers do participate in combat, in one globe survey 91 percent of child soldiers had served in combat. Another survey carried out in colombia among FARC, ELN child soldiers found that 75 percent had been in combat at least once, with multiple interviewees taking part in more than ten battles. A third survey in Africa found that 87 percent had served on front lines.(Eichstaedt 304). So the harsh discipline and the threat of death continue to underscore the training programs of almost all child soldier groups.

Works Cited

Singer, P.W. (Peter Warren) Children at war. New York : Pantheon Books c2005.t

Eichstaedt, Peter H., 1947- First kill your family.Chicago, Ill. : Lawrence Hill Books, c2009

Bracken, Patrick and Celia Petty (editors). Rethinking the Trauma of War. New York, NY: Save the Children Fund, Free Association Books, Ltd, 1998.