SIERRA LEONE: YOUNG CHILDREN ARE BEING USED AS KAMAJOR -CIVIL MILITIA SOLDIERS IN THE GOVERNMENT'S FIGHT AGAINST REBELS

Record ID: 983130

  • Title: SIERRA LEONE: YOUNG CHILDREN ARE BEING USED AS KAMAJOR -CIVIL MILITIA SOLDIERS IN THE GOVERNMENT'S FIGHT AGAINST REBELS
  • Date: 1st June 1999
  • Summary: VARIOUS LOCATIONS, SIERRA LEONE (RECENT) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. CLOSEUP CHILD SOLDIER WITH GUN IN HIS HAND 2. VARIOUS OF ARMED CHILD SOLDIERS WALKING AROUND 3. CHILD SOLDIERS WALKING AROUND TRUCK/ BEING SEARCHED 4. CLOSEUP CHILD SOLDIER HOLDING GUN 5. CHILD SOLDIERS STANDING AT ROAD BLOCK 6. CHILD SOLDIERS WALKING AROUND/ WATCHING 7. TWO CHILD SOLDIERS SEATED/ LOOKING EXHAUSTED 8. CHILD BEATING DRUM/ OTHER CHILDREN DANCING TO BEAT 9. CHILDREN DANCING WHILE OTHER CHILDREN CLAPPING 10. SOUNDBITE (Creole with English translation) JAMES BOCKARIE, Former RUF fighter "We were playing football when the rebels attacked. They picked 4 of us and took us up to Mattrujong where we were taken into the forest. We were there for a while and were taken for training. Then we were given guns and started fighting." 11. CHILDREN WALKING AROUND/ ONE CARRYING BLUE BUCKET ON HIS HEAD 12. BOY LOOKING BORED 13. THREE BOYS ARGUING 14. CHILD SOLDIERS WITH WEAPONS 15. SOUNDBITE (English) FRANCIS ROGERS, Operations Commander, 19th Kamajor Battalion "The rebels or the RUF force... they kill these children...the families of these children. Take these children in to the bush encourage them to become rebels... they even deploy them to go out and get food for them through force by killing people. But Kamajor - now we don't do this." 16. CHILD SOLDIERS WALKING AROUND TRUCK 17. SOUNDBITE (English) FRANCIS ROGERS "We have sympathy of feelings for these children. We only initiate them to encourage them to be with us." 18. SOUNDBITE (Mende with English translation) JAMES KOBAH, Kamajor fighter "I was at home when the rebels attacked and burned down the village. I told my father I was going to join the Kamajors but he said I don't like the kamajors, I don't like their guns.But I insisted and said what else are we going to do? They have burned down our village... and eventually he agreed." 19. CHILDREN WALKING ABOUT IN THEIR VILLAGE 20. CHILD SOLDIERS ON TRUCK DRIVING OFF 21. SOUNDBITE (English) FRANCIS ROGERS "We work closely with ECOMOG at a certain level. Like doing night patrols. We patrol together. If we want to advance to capture certain areas we go together. They in fact give us ammunitions to move and we are in the forefront while they are at the back." 22. EXTERIOR OF COMPOUND 23. GROUP OF SOLDIERS TALKING 24. SOUNDBITE (English) COLONEL JACK IKETUBOSIN, Commander 26th Infantry Brigade "Surely its contrary to all known principles during war. You don't use children during war. It's bad for them and we discourage them. We don't even allow the Kamajors to come to the ECOMOG areas with children. We don't do that no." 25. SOLDIERS WALKING ON STREET 26. SOUNDBITE (English) ROISIN DE BURCA, Child Protection Officer "I think its 50-50. At the higher level they have stressed the desire not to use children but these messages have to be passed down to the lower levels. Again with any troops which are spread around the country communications - ensuring the messages are getting down to the lower levels - is an important role that UNICEF has to play. I am sure that even if they were not Kamajor children - children in the area would be used for these tasks as is in the African culture. But we are pushing that they don't arm any children in the Kamajors." 27. ARMED CHILD SOLDIERS IN STREET 28. SOUNDBITE (English) FRANCIS ROGERS "It's really wrong. It's only now that we have realized that. But initially when the society issue started they say that is the way because we thought it is the children who are the real fighters. But it is now we realize we need maturity in the fight so we have decided to ask them out." 29. VARIOUS OF CHILD SOLDIERS STANDING AROUND 30. LITTLE BOY WITH KNIFE 31. GROUP OF THREE SITTING IN STREET HOLDING THEIR WEAPONS 32. LITTLE BOY LAUGHING 33. GROUP OF LITTLE BOYS LAUGHING HOLDING THEIR WEAPONS Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 15th June 1999 13:00
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  • Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS, SIERRA LEONE
  • Country: Sierra Leone
  • Reuters ID: LVA1UXDTB62HR3JW31II2GGRM33T
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  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS - SOURCE TO BE VERIFIED
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