Peacebuilding The experiences that child soldiers endured during the conflict have fostered within them a sense of hopelessness. Without significant support it will be difficult to reintegrate them into a post-war civil society. In some cases, these children have suffered lasting physical injuries. In many cases, child soldiers, exiled from their communities, and without any useful peacetime skills, cannot access the resources they need to survive. With little hope for the future, and alienated from mainstream society, a challenging temptation is to return to a life of violence.
Communities have good reason to resist integrating child soldiers back into their ranks.
Thousands of ordinary individuals have been permanently maimed by these children. Many victims want revenge on their former tormentors. Amputees, once productive members of mainstream society, will likely continue to foster bitter sentiments towards their child tormentors. This bitterness and division represents a lasting threat to sustainable peace. The need at the moment is for a spirit of reconciliation.