Is there still child soldiers in Sierra Leone?
In Africa, child soldiers have fought or are fighting in Angola, Liberia, Mozambique, Rwanda, the Sudan, Congo and Uganda, as well as Sierra Leone. There are now an estimated 300,000 child soldiers worldwide, a figure that has increased by one-sixth during the last three years.
How many child soldiers were there in Sierra Leone?
Roughly 10,000-14,000 child soldiers in Sierra Leone fought between 1991 and 2002 in the Sierra Leone Civil War. Children fought on both sides of the conflict. Nearly half of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), and a quarter of the governmental armed forces consisted of children aged 8–14 years old.
How did the RUF turn children into soldiers?
A typical method was simply to attack a village, kill or maim the adults, and abduct the children. To ensure loyalty, the RUF would then force their new recruits to take drugs and commit an atrocity against their own family or community.
How are child soldiers treated?
Human Rights Watch investigations have also found that child recruits are often forced to physically punish and kill other soldiers, including children, accused of desertion and other crimes. Child soldiers who refuse to comply with orders may be severely beaten or threatened with execution.
How did children become child soldiers in Sierra Leone?
Children also served as messengers and porters, and young girls were conscripted into sexual slavery or forcibly married to generals. Children are chosen to be soldiers because they are easily manipulated. They are more loyal and obedient than adults and they are far less likely to revolt.
How old are child soldiers usually?
As many as 45 percent of its total recruits are under age 18. Twenty percent are under 15, with some as young as 11. The various rebel groups are estimated to have another 6,000 to 8,000 child soldiers.
How old are child soldiers in Sierra Leone?
Child soldiers are children (defined under international law as individuals under the age of 18) who are used for any military purpose. In the Sierra Leonean civil war, children made up between 40 and 50 percent of the RUF’s military force and approximately 20 percent of the government’s military…
When did the Civil War in Sierra Leone start?
From 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone was embroiled in a devastating civil war, fought primarily between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Sierra Leone Army (SLA). This civil war garnered international attention for its blatant use of child soldiers and for the skyrocketing of child soldiers in Sierra Leone.
What was the role of children in Sierra Leone?
Primary agrarian, many families enlisted the help of their children to provide income for families. In her book, Childhood Deployed, Susan Shepler argues the concept of youth in Sierra Leone is distinct from idealized western distinctions of childhood.
How many children were abducted in Sierra Leone?
Between 5,000 and 10,000 children were abducted and had to take up arms during Sierra Leone’s 9 year civil war. Most children were forced to watch or take part in the murder, amputation or rape of their parents, family members or neighbours. They were told that if they did not join the rebels, they too would be killed.