Preventing, Demobilizing, Rehabilitating, and Reintegrating Child Soldiers in African Conflicts
Journal of International Policy Solutions, Vol. 7, Spring 2007
6 Pages Posted: 13 Jun 2008
Abstract
As many as 300,000 children serve as soldiers in conflicts in 33 countries. In many cases, these children are forced into service. This article recommends strategies the international community, including state actors, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, can implement to reduce the number of child soldiers participating in armed conflicts and reintegrate former child soldiers into their societies.
Ending the conflict in question or preventing the abduction or recruitment of children by armed forces may be the most effective strategies for the international community to reduce the number of children in combat. However, preventative measures are often insufficient. In these cases, the international community should also use a balanced approach of centralized and decentralized (local, community-based) methods to demobilize and rehabilitate identified child soldiers. This article uses the civil conflict in Uganda as a case study, and draws on lessons learned in several other African conflicts.
Keywords: child, children, soldiers, economic, development, africa, conflict, peace and conflict, global, public, health, war, international, security
JEL Classification: H5, H56, I1, I2, I3, N4, N45, O1
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation