Child soldiers in Africa: solutions to a complex dilemma

In recent years, the use of child soldiers by both government forces and insurgent groups in some African countries has been harshly condemned by the international community. Past efforts to alleviate the problem have been somewhat ineffective and many children continue to engage in violent conflict either voluntarily or against their will, so how can this be resolved?

This article focuses on the dilemma of using child soldiers in violent conflicts throughout Africa and on ways of resolving it in the future. It briefly examines some important domestic and international aspects and dimensions of the problem, then shifts attention to particular individual countries on the continent in which the use of children in battle has been most prevalent during the past decade. The paper then reviews some recent efforts by the international community to assuage the crisis, and raises general ideas for new strategies and initiatives.

The author finds that

• whilst the inhumane use of children in violent conflict continues to result in much suffering and devastation to many African nations, efforts to stop the crisis are more determined than ever
• the recent demobilisation and release of child soldiers in Sudan and Sierra Leone have been hopeful signs that the global community's past efforts have not been in vain
• despite these positive developments, much work still remains to ensure that children throughout Africa have a promising future<\UL>The author concludes that only when the U.S. fully support all efforts to limit the transfer of small arms to the African continent and prevent recruitment of children for military service under eighteen years of age, can an international consensus be achieved and strong measures be taken to eliminate the use of child soldiers from the African continent.<\UL>