Child Soldiers Break the Rules of War

Invisible Children isn't the only organization dedicated to ending the abuse amongst an estimated 300,000 child soldiers, mostly in Africa, involved in conflicts around the world. UNICEF is active today in removing children from militia and rebel groups. The idea of innocence is one that remains strong in Western civilizations, but third-world nations have evil men who manipulate and terrorize entire villages with the goal of forcing children to join them in their fight. Ishmael Beah was rescued by UNICEF years ago as a child soldier fighting for the rebel group Revolutionary United Front (RUF). He's an example of the substantial change the West can bring to lands where rebel groups roam with evil intentions. The issue isn't "how?," but rather "why?" Why isn't the United Nations using force to destroy rebel groups and why are we waiting to take down Joseph Kony and others like him? Ignorance isn't an excuse. It's our responsibility as human beings to provide support to children across the world, especially those active in dangerous rebel groups engaged in combat everyday.