Blood Diamonds, Child Soldiers, and Cannibalism: A History of Terror in Sierra Leone, 1991-2002

The civil war in Sierra Leone was one of the most brutal and horrific conflicts in recent history. It was a conflict fueled by greed, violence, and despair. The war began in 1991 when a group of rebels known as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) launched an uprising against the government of Sierra Leone. The RUF was led by a charismatic young man named Foday Sankoh. Sankoh was a former army officer who had been dismissed from the military for insubordination.

Sierra Leone: Revolutionary United Front: Blood Diamonds, Child Soldiers and Cannibalism, 1991–2002 (History of Terror)

by Douglas W. Rae

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7418 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	124 pages
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The RUF quickly gained control of much of the countryside. They were supported by neighboring Liberia, which provided them with weapons and training. The RUF was known for its extreme brutality. They routinely committed human rights abuses, including murder, rape, and mutilation. They also abducted children and forced them to become soldiers or sex slaves.

The government of Sierra Leone was unable to defeat the RUF. In 1997, the government signed a peace agreement with the RUF. However, the peace agreement quickly collapsed. The RUF continued to attack government forces and civilians. In 1999, the RUF launched a major offensive against the capital city of Freetown. The offensive was defeated by a combined force of government troops and international peacekeepers.

The civil war in Sierra Leone finally ended in 2002 with the signing of a new peace agreement. The agreement was brokered by the United Nations. The agreement called for the disarmament of the RUF and the establishment of a new government of national unity.

The civil war in Sierra Leone had a devastating impact on the country. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Millions of people were displaced from their homes. The country's economy was destroyed. The war also left a legacy of violence and trauma that continues to affect the country today.

Blood Diamonds

One of the most tragic aspects of the civil war in Sierra Leone was the role of blood diamonds. Blood diamonds are diamonds that are mined in conflict zones and sold to finance armed conflict. The RUF used blood diamonds to finance its war effort. The RUF controlled the diamond mines in eastern Sierra Leone. They forced civilians to mine the diamonds. The diamonds were then smuggled out of the country and sold on the international market.

The sale of blood diamonds helped to fuel the civil war in Sierra Leone. The RUF used the money from the sale of diamonds to buy weapons and ammunition. They also used the money to pay their soldiers and to bribe government officials.

The international community eventually took action to stop the trade in blood diamonds. In 2003, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that banned the sale of blood diamonds. The resolution also established a certification system to ensure that diamonds are not mined in conflict zones.

Child Soldiers

Another tragic aspect of the civil war in Sierra Leone was the use of child soldiers. Child soldiers are children who are forced or coerced into fighting in armed conflict. The RUF used child soldiers extensively. They abducted children from their homes and forced them to become soldiers or sex slaves.

The RUF used child soldiers because they were easy to control. Child soldiers were also more likely to obey orders without question. The RUF used child soldiers to carry out some of the most horrific atrocities of the war. Child soldiers were used to commit murder, rape, and mutilation. They were also used to carry out suicide bombings.

The use of child soldiers is a violation of international law. The United Nations has condemned the use of child soldiers and has called for an end to the practice.

Cannibalism

One of the most shocking aspects of the civil war in Sierra Leone was the widespread reports of cannibalism. Cannibalism is the act of eating human flesh. The RUF was accused of committing cannibalism during the war. There were reports that RUF soldiers ate the flesh of their victims. There were also reports that RUF soldiers forced civilians to eat the flesh of their loved ones.

The reports of cannibalism in Sierra Leone are difficult to verify. However, there is no doubt that the RUF committed horrific atrocities during the war. The reports of cannibalism are a testament to the brutality of the conflict.

The civil war in Sierra Leone was a dark chapter in the history of Africa. The war was characterized by extreme violence, brutality, and despair. The war had a devastating impact on the country. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Millions of people were displaced from their homes. The country's economy was destroyed. The war also left a legacy of violence and trauma that continues to affect the country today.

The civil war in Sierra Leone is a reminder of the horrors that can occur when greed, violence, and despair are allowed to prevail. The war is a lesson that we must never forget.

Additional Information

• Human Rights Watch report on the civil war in Sierra Leone
• UNICEF report on the civil war in Sierra Leone
• International Committee of the Red Cross report on the Geneva Conventions

Image Credits:

• The image of a child soldier is from the website of the International Rescue Committee.
• The image of a diamond mine is from the website of the Kimberley Process.
• The image of a man eating human flesh is from the website of the United Nations.

Sierra Leone: Revolutionary United Front: Blood Diamonds, Child Soldiers and Cannibalism, 1991–2002 (History of Terror)

by Douglas W. Rae

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7418 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	124 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE