united nations advanced certificate faculty - Long Island University

CHILD SOLDIERS IN SIERRA LEONE
The Reverend Jose M. Caballero Caceres, MA’98
Sierra Leone is a coastal West African
country that shares borders with Guinea
and Liberia. It has a population of close
to five-and-a-half million (July 2001
estimate) and includes 16 ethnic groups.
The rebel war in Sierra Leone, which
started in 1991 and ended in January
2002, was characterized by a mass displacement
of civilians, looting, the
destruction of homes and infrastructures,
the misuse of economic resources
and terrible atrocities inflicted on the
Father Caballero with Child Ex-Combatants civilian population–amputations, rapes,
mutilations, killings and abductions.
The link between diamonds and armed conflict in Sierra Leone is obvious and has been exposed,
investigated and universally deplored.
A key element to the prolongation of the war was the abduction/recruitment of children into the
fighting forces. Children were perceived to be the best fighters, as they were obedient and easily
manipulated. With over 50% of the population in Sierra Leone under the age of 18 and a war that
has lasted for over 10 years, the number of children who have been used as fighters or camp followers
is unknown.
Children abducted over the years were used as human shields, camp followers and “wives” and,
ultimately, they were trained to be soldiers. Following abduction, they were forced to carry heavy
loads on their heads and were ordered to pick up the weapons of those who were killed should
there be an attack on the group. They spent months trekking over hazardous terrain and many did
not make it to the main camps. All the children were forced to learn to “cock” and “load,” and
their commanders disposed of those who refused to learn. Punishment for not complying with
their new life and trying to run away was death. Those lucky enough not to be killed were tied to
a tree, with AFRC or RUF cut into their chests. Life for girls always started with rape, which was
usually done in full view of others. Girls as young as 10 years of age were forced to have sex on
a daily basis and with whomever. They returned home traumatized, diseased and suffering from
internal injuries.
Many children, some as young as seven years of age, were fighting on the government’s side.
They were initiated into traditional hunting groups that came under the framework of the Civil
Defense Force (CDF). Magical powers were bestowed on these children in initiation ceremonies,
and they were led to believe that they had special powers, such as being “bullet proof.”
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