The LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) has created a vicious system of kidnapping young (8-10 years old) children and turning them into soldiers. Those that refuse or prove incapable, are simply killed. The children are ignorant and easily indoctrinated. A dozen adults can control several hundred kids in this way. The child soldiers are inept and undisciplined, and usually flee when faced by trained soldiers. But well led and disciplined soldiers are rare in Africa.