Politics, War and Youth Culture in Sierra Leone: An Alternative Interpretation

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Periodical article

Title:	Politics, War and Youth Culture in Sierra Leone: An Alternative Interpretation
Authors:	MacIntyre, Angela Aning, Emmanuel K. Addo, Prosper Nii Nortey
Year:	2002
Periodical:	African Security Review
Volume:	11
Issue:	3
Pages:	7-15
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Sierra Leone
Subjects:	youth civil wars child soldiers Politics and Government Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Military, Defense and Arms
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10246029.2002.9627964
Abstract:	Understanding the nature of armed conflict in Africa requires more than a political and military analysis of forms of warfare such as the employment of children as fighters. Children are seldom only instruments for other causes but can actively support their own agenda through the choices they make. Problems of governance, resource use and social organization also need to be considered. There are often no clear lines between civilians and militaries and a simplistic'oppressor versus victim' dichotomy is of limited use. The political character of youths can be better understood by considering the factors that shape their consciousness, as well as the predisposition of the society to care for them. Society has failed to offer youth protection from the adult consequences of immediate involvement in economy and politics. This has been a dynamic process rather than a static set of political and economic circumstances favourable to the outbreak of revolution. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]