Religion, Children and Armed Conflict

I am following up on the subject of small arms that was well debated in the article “The Role of Small Arms in African Civil Wars" This subject to me is at the center of whether or not Africa understands democracy and can successfully rule itself for prosperity.

Let me make my standpoint clear. I am of the belief that Africa should lead on matters of moral values and reduce tendencies towards a malcontented society.

There is an argument of convenience that asserts that religion is being used (there is no such phrase) to cushion resistance to, and acceptance for child soldiers. I find it hard to accept because even in the animal kingdom children are always protected under the wing of parental care. We cannot look at child soldier practices as merely exploitation. They are completely and totally below animal behaviour.

There are issues worth noting as they move hand in glove with tyrannical governments, such as the tendency to abuse human rights, and in particular the rights of young people. Armed Conflict sits on top of all priorities for a government disregarding human rights.

Many of our leaders are wayward characters from broken families or other strange historical backgrounds. They are shy to tell their childhood stories, aware that media would draw conclusions as to why they behave oddly. I am sorry to say we are forced to think that upper radicalism and hatred shown by many leaders in power comes from youthful backgrounds, which are either religious based or fundamentally atheistic and therefore animalism.

All the pictures we see of child soldiers give a clear indication that the government will be running away from good reasoning by cheating the young minds into savagery. The young are easy to instruct without causing a coup. The young do not plot subversive activities, which intrinsically and fundamentally come from lack of faith in leadership. More distressing is that young girls have been used as mistresses of top guys and this is done privately, but results in unwanted children and deaths through HIV/AIDS.

Ironically, to facilitate the agony of child exploitation, the government of the day must make sure that there is a definite collapse in the economy. This does not require too much intelligence apart from employing vanity and corruption.

It is these same rulers who, argue against freedom of the press and, seek to silence it so as to conceal their obscene deeds. Africa must make it a serious crime for anyone to do anything to a child. Africa must invoke tradition mixed with modernity in preserving the values of young persons.

If these values are less important to those we put in power, or to those who force themselves to power, the cry for morality among societies and communities will remain a cry in the wilderness. We have to look at our family concept and practices. We should revise these and then consider suitable leaders who will transmit these values without fear of being questioned on their moral standing. Africa needs to unite on child abuse, of any measure, as we aim to eradicate poverty. God bless Africa!