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| An undated photo of a child soldier during Liberia's brutal civil war. |
Human Rights Watch
reports Liberian militants loyal to former president of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, have recruited child soldiers to make cross-border attacks on the neighboring West African country, killing at least 40. The government has failed to prosecute Liberian mercenaries who
admitted committing atrocities during the post-election fallout in Ivory Coast in 2011, when Gbagbo violently contested the results of elections in which he lost to rival Alassane Ouattara. Both the former and current president allegedly hired mercenaries in the 10-month battle that ensued, though Gbagbo was extradited to the International Criminal Court in November 2011 on charges of war crimes while Ouattara assumed the presidency. More than 100,000 children fought in Liberia's brutal 14-year civil war. They are among Liberia's poorest, many missing limbs and continuing to nurture drug addictions picked up in the war. Eight years after peace was restored, nearly 80 percent of Liberians live with less than $1.25 per day, forcing many school-age children to work, including, apparently, in the sordid business of war.
This is heartbreaking, destroying future generation for personal gains is shameful. But currently this is very common trend in the world. At many places, children and women are often used as human shields in the war. Very well written article.
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