US Funding Child Soldiers?

In a brief memo sent out Monday, Barack Obama decided to exempt Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Yemen from the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 (which prevents funding for foreign governments if they recruit child soldiers.) Obama justified his decision by stating that Yemen is a "key partner" for fighting against the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. By enforcing the prevention act Obama says that it "would seriously jeopardise the Yemeni government's capability to conduct special operations and counter terrorism missions, and create a dangerous level of instability in the country and the region." While in Yemen there have been reports of the government recruiting kids as young as 14, the memo attempts to further justify Obama's decision by stating what US financial assistance gone towards (planes, helicopters, equipment and weapons to fight the al-Queda.) Obama is facing a lot of harsh criticism for his decision.

Submitted By: Erin Burneson