Hannah+K.+-+ASI+-+FA09

=__Child Soldiers__=

**history:**
Around 500 b.c. some Bantu-speaking people came and settled in what is now Uganda (History of Uganda). Between then and the 14th century the people living there had broken up into 3 kingdoms, Burganda, Bunyoro, and Ankole. Eventually some British and Arab explorers came and explored. By 1962 Uganda was an independent country when they elected Sir Edward Mutesa II as their first president. Because Uganda is on the equator and is surrounded by the great lakes of Central Africa, it was one of the last parts in Africa to be discovered. Some men form the middle east came to what is now Uganda in the 1840's in search for slaves and ivory. Only 22 years later two explorers from Britain also came to explore the land; Speke in 1862 and Stanley in 1875. The kabaka or king of Burganda, Mutesa, came to visit Speke and Stanley. Mutesa had four kingdoms which greatly helped the influenced the growth and development of Uganda. In 1971 a man known as Obote became the president of Uganda, this man brought nothing but terrible things. During his rule he tormented and killed many, many people. An estimated 300,000 lives were lost while Obote was president ( A Dictator's Reign of Terror). Eventually Obote went into exile and Yoweri Museveni became the new president. Museveni brought newer and better things to one of the poorest countries in Africa. he stated transforming the country and many joined with him. he has been president even up until 2005 when he was reelected ( New President Brings New Hope). T he country of Uganda has been in a battle against the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) who in 2006 captured 8000 to 10,000 young children. They turn the boys in to soldiers and the girls they use as sex slaves. Over 1 million people in Uganda have been "displaced" in fear that the children are going to be kidnapped ( The Threat of the Lord's Resistance Army).

**political impact:**
The United Nations Secretary Council has become aware of the major problem occurring in many African countries involving child soldiers. The Secretary Council knows of many countries, including Uganda, that has been treating children in an outrageous way. Now that the Secretary Council knows of what is going on, they are doing what they can to stop it. Because of the threat to the international security, the UN has come up with four solutions to the problem and to keep the children safe.

**economic impact:**
The United States will no longer give any aid or help with any economical needs of countries that are using children in their armies. If (for example) Uganda needs any help dealing with money or if they need assistance in their war, they can be sure that the United States will not be a country that will help them. The United States strongly disagrees with that is going on the some of the African countries and how they are using little kids as their soldiers. No weapon that is made in the U.S. will ever end up in a child's possession, nor will American taxpayers be giving money toward helping their wars (US Limits Military Aid to Nations Using Child Soldiers)

**social impact:**
In Uganda, when a child is captured by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) they are trained and transformed to kill. The army will kill anyone that causes a problem for them. This means that in some situations these children are forced to kill their own tribe members and sometimes their own family members. They have to kill, or they will be killed themselves. So to keep their sons and daughters safe, many women travel with their children every night for hours. They hike to a safe place to protect their boys and girls from the LRA and prevent them from becoming a soldier at such a young age. (The Mental-Health Needs of Child Soldiers in Uganda)

**history:**
In the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th century the area which is now the central african republic was ruled by slave traders which destroyed many ethnic groups. In 1894 the french came into play and took over the region. In 1958 the people living in this region became a republic government, electing President David Dacko in 1960 bringing the Africans independence from the French. Although, Dacko was overthrown in 1965 being replaced by Jean-Bédel Bokassa. Bokassa changed the Central African Republic into the Central African Empire making him Emperor Bokassa I. He too was overthrown in 1979 and former President Dacko took his place and changed the name back to the Central African Republic. President André Kolingba became president in 1991 after Dacko was overthrown for the second time. Kolingba pushed froward toward a parliamentary democracy. Although, in 1993 Prime Minister Ange-Félix Patassé beat Kolingab in a presidential election and became the new president of the Central African Republic. Between the years of 2001 and 2003 children between the ages of 10 and 17 were abducted and used as child soldiers and for sex. (Central African Republic)

**political impact:**
Just recently, in June of this year, the United Nations Children's Fund (or UNICEF) released a total of 182 children (166 boys and 16 girls) from the People’s Army for the Restoration of Democracy. These children, ages 10-17, have been fighting in this army since 2006. Now, almost all of the 182 kids have been sent back to their homeland and back with their families. Not only has the government sent these boys and girls home to their families, but they are also giving all of the kids the education that they missed out on. (Central African Republic / UNICEF welcomes release of child soldiers and urges further demobilizations)

**economic impact:**
WIth the children who were gone away at war now home, UNICEF will pay for the education that they are lacking in. Education in African is a big deal, and in some cases is very expensive. So having the government pay for 182 children to go to school must be pretty costly (Central African Republic / UNICEF welcomes release of child soldiers and urges further demobilizations). Also, now that these kids are home they can help their families with any family jobs that they may have. This will help many families earn more money than they had.

**social impact:**
The transition from being a soldier at such a young age to being able to go back home and live with their family again is big social event. These kids get to go be with their parents, siblings and friends again after spending years fighting. Although, even though these youths got return home, they will never be able to erase what happened to them in their minds. The children who were soldiers and sex slaves are now scared for life, their lives have been changed dramatically. This essentially will change the tribes of the child soldiers who have been at war. (Central African Republic / UNICEF welcomes release of child soldiers and urges further demobilizations)

//Future in this Social Issue//
The Central African Republic is doing a good job when it comes to the future of this social issue. Demobilization is a great way of helping the number of child soldier go down. The Ugandan government should consider doing what the CAR has done. Why do they find using children as soldiers such a positive thing? Uganda (really the LRA) needs to come to reality and see that they need to send all of their soldiers 18 years and younger home. The U.S. government and other powerful governments should pressure the government in Uganda to stop what they are doing and let the children free.

Another way that would be effective in stopping this difficult matter would be for major countries to exclude themselves from Uganda or CAR or any other country who are misusing their children. If the United States would tell the Ugandan government that we would no longer help them with any finical problems that they may have because of the fact that they are using children in war. If every country that helps Uganda in any way would just avoid them as much as possible, maybe something would "click" in the mind of the LRA. Hopefully this would cause their government and their army to change their opinion on child slavery.

Finally, if people were aware of what is going on in Uganda and in the Central African Republic (and in many other African countries as well) there is a possibility that we as a people can end this war. Just one person can make a huge difference. If one person shares with another person what they know and that person tells another, and another and another, eventually thousands of people all of the world will realize what has to be done. Then as a group, people can make informational movies, have conventions and just bring awareness to the world of what needs to happen to terminate the idea of child slavery.

**Work Citied:**
A. "AFRICA: Too small to be fighting in anyone's war." __ IRIN  humanitarian news and analysis from Africa, Asia and the Middle East - updated daily __. 24 Sep. 2009 .

B. "Central African Republic / UNICEF welcomes release of child soldiers and urges further demobilizations « Database of Press Releases related to Africa." __ Database of Press Releases related to Africa __ . 24 Sep. 2009 .

C.  "Central African Republic:."__Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com__. 24 Sep. 2009 .

E. "The Mental-Health Needs of Child Soldiers in Uganda:." __A Case Study of Structural Violence__. 9 Sep. 1924 2006/2006_troyer.pdf

F. "Uganda:." __Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com__. 24 Sep. 2009 G.  "Uganda:." __Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com__. 24 Sep. 2009 . 

H. "Uganda:." __Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com__. 24 Sep. 2009 .

I. "Uganda:." __Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com__. 24 Sep. 2009 <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108066.html?pageno=4>.