The Modern History of Child Soldiers in Central and East Africa

If you’re like me, the name, “Joseph Kony” has been swirling around your Facebook and Twitter feeds lately. Child soldiers, sexual exploitation, atrocities and murderous bands of rebels are all central themes of an ongoing media blitz aimed at raising the public awareness of past and present unrest in Central and East Africa.

However, as is often the case, there are several moving pieces, intricacies and back stories involved in this conflict. For readers seeking to explore the history and context of the use of child soldiers in countries such as Uganda, consider the following compilation.





















The Wizard of the Nile by Matthew Green





















They Fight Like Soldiers / They Die Like Children by Romeo Dallaire





















Girl Soldier by Faith J. H. McDonnell & Grace Akallo





















First Kill Your Family by Peter Eichstaedt