They killed alongside adults; now the child fighters of Sierra Leone are experiencing childhood, writes Claudia McElroy
THE classroom’s sea of faces wear expressions ranging from lively interest and bewilderment to boredom and incomprehension. Yet for most of these youngsters at a centre for ex- combatants, grappling with basic literacy is better than life at the front.
Mohamed Lamin Junior, aged 16, joined the Sierra Leone army three years ago to avenge the deaths of his parents and four brothers and sisters at the hands of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). “I learnt to enjoy killing; sometimes the sight of blood would give me zeal to go further,” he said.
“But, eventually, I realised I could not get revenge in this way, and decided to go back to school.”
Mohamed is one of 5 000 youngsters who, after the outbreak of civil war in 1991, joined the army or rebel RUF – some were conscripted, some volunteered. But since Sierra Leone’s first democratic elections in almost 30 years ushered in a civilian government in March, ever more of them are keen to stop fighting. A local organisation, Children Associated with the War (CAW), uses radio broadcasts to persuade young fighters to do so. “Demobilisation is mostly on a voluntary basis and children come directly to the project. They are all tired of fighting,” said Father Mick Hickey, one of CAW’s founders.
“We estimate there are at least 4 000 more children ready to demobilise.”
There are 125 undergoing counselling and rehabilitation with CAW in Bo, in addition to 155 at its centre in Freetown, the capital. Many have been reunited with their families or fostered.
“When the children arrive here many have behavioural problems, such as fighting, stealing, nightmares and bed-wetting,” said Edward Kommeh, the home administrator in Bo. “During our six-month programme the children receive professional counselling and engage in activities such as football, drama and agriculture, to help them re-experience childhood.”
The children also learn basic literacy skills – 75% have never been to school. After six months, most go on to further education or vocational training, such as carpentry, mechanics or tailoring. Some, such as Mohamed, are more ambitious. “I’d like to be a lawyer,” he said. “Then I could avenge my parents’ deaths better than by fighting.”
Some children are being prevented from demobilising by their commanders. “The war is about looting and material gain,” said Kommeh. “Children often serve that purpose for fighters, be they army or RUF; some are sent off to dig diamonds.”
Despite a ceasefire agreed in April by President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and RUF leader Foday Sankoh, the violence continues in various parts of the country. What began as a small rebel incursion from neighbouring Liberia in 1991 grew into a brutal campaign of terror against civilians, perpetuated by both rebels and renegade soldiers, which has cost an estimated 50 000 lives and forced almost half the country’s 4,5-million people to flee their homes.
Some children can attest that life in the army is no better than with the RUF.
Aminata Tommie, aged 15, was captured by rebels last year. After killing her parents, they forced her to do their cooking and laundry. Speaking in a monotone, eyes fixed on the floor, she said she had been recaptured by the army after less than a month and was forced to spend eight more months doing the same kind of slave labour.
“The situation in the army was just as bad as with the rebels, they treated me roughly, and I was very afraid.” She also suffered repeated sexual abuse.
“Even after the children are demobilised, it will be hard to persuade communities to take them back because of the atrocities they have committed,” Mr Kommeh said.