Child soldiers in AfricaIn 2008, children were reported to be found in the army around north to central Africa. Most have been found in the Central African Republic. To be in the African militia, you have to be at least 18. However, people have been reported to be as young as 12 serving in the militia. If a soldier joins as a child, he/she is treated as an adult. Some governments use children that have been captured for armies, slaves, intel gathering, or if they are old
enough child prostitution. |
In the DRC, also known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are many child soldiers. The UN thinks that 1 in 10 of child soldiers are found in the Congo. 15-30% are under the age of 18. This tactic of child soldiers is used so that when the adults engage in battle with the young children, the adults cannot find it in themselves to kill the children which give the children a chance to attack. Some children are forced to commit murder to civilians or even their families, which could scare the children for life. Due to these acts, they probably will never return home because either their families are dead or they are not permitted to go home.
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