This Land is My Land

Yes, the land of Sierra Leone was made for the people of Sierra Leone. This was and is still the view of a one-time load carrier, child soldier, and now ex-combatant and war victim. In his view, he was a freedom fighter, but also a perpetrator of wickedness, as well as a harvester, game hunter and farmer.

He was ten years old and huddled in one corner of his parents' hut when he heard them say in their local dialect "Dem don cam oh, meaning "They are here.

Gbashhh. Down went the door that protected him from the biting cold, and before he knew what was happening, he was kicked in the side and ordered to get out of the hut, which he did, looking at his parents. That was the last time he saw them.

He was under the supervision of Lieutenant Blood, a ruthless person known for his predilection for gang rape. There were about 30 members of the group he commanded, most of whom had been captured like the 10-year-old boy. Already most of them had given up any hope of escaping, as any attempt was frustrated and could lead to death.

Life on the Run

He was carrying half a bag of rice and some condiments tied in a bundle. On many occasions, others in the group handed him small pieces of raw cassava to eat and whenever they had the opportunity, they would drink water from streams or rivers. After some days of bush trekking with very little to eat, he started to feel the pangs of hunger. He was urged onwards, "or else.

"I am hungry, he screamed when he could bear it no longer, and a hush descended on the group.

"How dare you? retorted one member of his group. All were now quiet. "Bra Blood, the notorious lieutenant and leader of the group, was called forward. He quietly scrutinised the face of the young boy who had the guts to cry about an empty stomach.

A series of questions followed: "Why are you here? Did you see us partying? Have you ever slept on an empty stomach? Bra Blood then loosened up and said, "What you are experiencing is not new to us. Hear this, all you people, as from today, this cry baby will lead a crack team called 'Operation Feed Yourself' for the rest of his life in this camp. Bra Blood then turned to the frail young boy and said, "Your code name for the operation will be 'Base Marine,' and he burst into a guttural and maniacal laugh. In the next moment, he was dead serious and told one of his younger aides to teach the young boy the new task he had ahead of him.

His mentor was a little older than himself, bold, courageous, and very well informed of the task they had at hand. His name was Big Up. He told him he would need a gun.

"What for? Base Marine asked.

In a monotone, Big Up said, "To enable you to harvest some of the crops you have not planted and he burst out laughing.

"Do I need a gun for that? asked Base Marine.

"No, replied his mentor, "but you need a gun to fire at wild animals that will be used for food.

This made some sense to Base Marine, so he mustered the courage he needed to ask Bra Blood for a gun. He had been forewarned that demanding a gun from Bra Blood could be a scary thing and that he should be mentally prepared to face him or else he would get the boot.

Bra Blood took delight in punishing his boys by telling them to bend over and touch their toes while he took two steps back and landed his right boot with all the strength he could muster on the buttocks of his victims.

With feelings of fear and caution, Base Marine stood at the door of the makeshift hut of their leader in Camp Zogoda for a long time before he could muster enough courage to announce himself. Immediately, he was summoned in and led to a figure that he recognised as Bra Blood sitting close to a smouldering fire.

From this point, Base Marine narrates the story in his own words.

"Good evening Base Marine, Bra Blood said to me. I murmured back a reply. He asked me to sit down. Seeing no chair, I decided to make myself comfortable on the floor. "That's my boy, he said in the friendliest voice I had heard since the day I left home. I really missed home, the hospitality of my mother, the zest with which my father approached life, the serenity of our village, and the boys and girls of our playing squad.

"What are you staring at? The question brought me back to reality and to the fact that I was in the presence of Bra Blood.

"Er, um, nothing, sir.

"What brings you here? It was the question I dreaded to answer.

"I need a gun to fire at wild animals and to harvest crops that I did not plant. I noticed that Bra Blood was shaking his head as if acknowledging my reply. "Who told you that's what a gun is used for? he asked.

"Big Up, sir.

Again he burst into a mirthful laugh that sent chills down my spine.

"Have you used a gun before now?

"No, I replied.

"Then you are starting your training tomorrow and I will personally supervise you. Any blunder will be severely dealt with. Do you understand me?

"Yes sir.

"You are dismissed.

"Sir.

At the break of dawn, I was summoned by Bra Blood and asked to accompany him. I hesitantly followed at a safe distance. All of a sudden, he called me, pointing to a tree at the far end of the valley. He said, "Take the gun and make sure you bring enough meat to serve the camp for a day or two. He turned and left me. The first thought that came to my mind was to run away.

Big Up then told me he would be supervising my hunting expeditions and that I should stop being the mama's boy they brought to camp a few weeks ago and become the man they expected me to be. He ordered me to take aim with the gun and fire at any living thing I saw. In the distance, I saw a group of monkeys enjoying themselves ... bam! The pack took flight except for the fallen. Inspecting the scene, we were confronted by the biggest monkey I had ever set my eyes on.

"You did it, shouted Big Up. "And with your first shot. You'll be a wonderful marksman in the future if you continue like this. Bra will appreciate this very much.

On returning to camp, I felt elated at my success. My mouth watered at the thought of having a decent meal for the first time in weeks. I was advised by my mentor to report to Bra Blood. I was all smiles as I displayed my catch to Bra. His comment, when it finally came, was a devastating blow.

"How dare you waste my bullet on a monkey, and a single one at that? Look here, young man, your task was to provide enough meat to feed the camp, and until you can do so, you ain't getting any food from this camp. That's an order!

"Sir, replied the rest of the team. I could not believe what I was hearing. I stood there speechless. Big Up came and relieved me of the dead monkey. I was then dismissed amid the noise and haste to prepare my catch for Bra Blood and the other big shots. After what seemed like eternity and hours of salivating, the food was finally prepared.

"Ge me me beef ("Give me my meat), shouted one of the top leaders.

"You ought to be ashamed fighting over meat hunted by a boy young enough to be your son. Your son is much older than that boy and should have been sent to get meat so his Daddy can have a bigger share of it, the big shots argued.

"Shut up and don't try to lecture me about what my son is capable of doing, said Bra Blood.

In the midst of this argument, I emerged from the rear of the hut with a solemn face, indicative of my hunger and disappointment over the food that was eaten moments ago.

Later, Bra Blood came to see me. "I kept some food for you, Base Marine, despite the fact that I told you you're not getting anything, said Bra Blood.

"Thank you sir, I replied.

He handed me a big bowl full of leftover bones. „When next you go hunting make sure you bring more meat or else.

My future hunting expeditions were only slightly different from that described above, which left me with no alternative but to find a way of securing my own food. To be able to do this, I sought the assistance of Big Up, who, despite his reservations, was quite willing to render his assistance. Together with Big Up, I made sure that we always secured some food or meat that we would cook in the bush. We were well-fed before venturing into camp.

At the end of the first six months of my assignment, I became a hardened fighter. The use of an AK-47 was a daily routine. I searched fields and towns. In fact, I searched for any information about where food could be found.

Food was a rare commodity in our camp. I heard stories of unimaginable things being done to people in a bid to secure food for the camp. For my part, I went through the challenges of the camp with a dull and sober face, knowing full well what I would do in the future, if I had any. I would become like my Daddy, who spent most of his time on the farm, providing his family that coveted food supply.

After making up my mind about this, I started hearing about disarmament and the reintegration program. When I heard I could be reintegrated into agricultural training, it looked as though my dream would finally materialise.

UMCOR and Reintegration

UMCOR-Sierra Leone was re-established late in 2001. It now has over 40 projects. US Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) supports the Kailahun District Reintegration project; the Department for International Development (DFID) funds the ex-combatant training in Tonkolili District, and UNICEF WATSAN funds a project for Liberian refugees in the new Tobanda refugee camp. UMCOR has proposals out or in preparation for other projects in the areas for refugee assistance, HIV/AIDS, and malaria prevention.

UMCOR is helping more than 2000 returning Sierra Leonean refugees in the Lailahun project; up to 10,000 Liberian refugees in the UNICEF project, and another 7000 refugees in a US Bureau for Population and Migration (BPRM) proposal. In the DFID project, 471 ex-combatants are being trained. Many other vulnerable groups may be assisted if funding is granted.

At present, Base Marine is in the northern district of Tonkolili. With very few resources, he has been able to secure over 500 acres of land courtesy of the chiefdom people. He has organized a large group of fellow ex-combatants to help on the farm and frequents the head office of the Department for International Development Community Reintegration Program (DFID/CRP) to secure assistance in the realisation of the dream he held fast to while in the bush.

UMCOR NGO in Sierra Leone is presently beginning skills training and literacy programs for over 400 ex-combatants in Tonkolili District sponsored by DFID.

Sierra Leone has several civilian structures. Within local government, chiefs are elected by communities such as the Tonkolili District. There are 150 chiefs in the country. These chiefs are primarily responsible for adjudicating local disputes, assigning land (communally held) to beneficiaries such as Base Marine, and other civil and legal matters. They are sometimes, though not always, ethnically based, as some chiefdoms have various ethnicities resident.

© Edward Mansaray, 2003.

Edward Mansaray is a program officer for the UMCOR Sierra Leone. He interviewed ex-combatant "Base Marine from Magburaka, Tonkolili District, in the Northern Province.