Uganda: Children as 'Cannon Fodder' |
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April 18th, 2005 - 09:02AM |
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Drawing by a formerly abducted child in Uganda who was assisted by the IRC Anne Richard, the IRC's vice president of government relations and advocacy, briefed members of Congress April 14 on the toll the war between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan government is taking on civilians in northern Uganda, especially children. It's estimated that almost half of LRA combatants are abducted children. More than 20,000 children have been abducted since the conflict began in 1986. "They are forced to endure tremendous hardship, psychological trauma, and sexual abuse," Richard said. "Children are, in fact, used as combatants – really cannon fodder – by both sides while military leaders stay safely away from the frontlines." She suggested that what's needed is a regional solution that builds on growing interest in the ongoing Darfur humanitarian crisis, in neighboring Sudan: “We should consider how to help people on both sides of the Sudan/Uganda border. Without a doubt, though, the key is greater U.S. support for peace and protection programs." Posted By: Kathleen Sands | Africa, Children & Youth Permalink |
