Blog 5: Child Soldiers in Rwanda

   The United States government issued sanctions on some countries believed to be supporting the recruitment of child soldiers in the army. One of those countries sanctioned is the African nation of Rwanda, with its government aiding support to the rebel group, M23, which is suspected to be taking advantage of the country's poor implementation of its children's rights. According to the interview conducted by an online article from Aljazeera America, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield states, "Our goal is to work with countries who have been listed to ensure that any involvement in child soldiers - any involvement in the recruitment of child soldiers - stop."

   Even though the United States government have been actively supportive and involve in numerous protests to demolish the illegal recruitment of minor children in the military abroad, there are still missteps that is happening in reality. As an example, there are three nations that are being exempt from the sanction that the government is imposing on the government of Rwanda, the following countries are: Chad, South-Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, according to the article the Obama administration waived the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia from getting sanctioned as both countries provide aid to the national interest of the United States. 

   In my opinion, the involvement of the United States government is crucial in permanently demolishing the use of underage minors in any type and form of warfare. However, the way that the government is choosing on which countries to sanctions and which ones to be waived is not an ideal example to set, especially that the reason given was that the United States' interests comes first before the oppressed children of the countries mentioned.

Trisha May Antonio

10/10/2013

5:09 PM

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/4/u-s-sanctions-rwandaothersoverchildsoldiers.html