Sierra Leone
June 2000
The civilian population of Sierra Leone has lost faith in the government and most people in Freetown do not believe that the rebel's are going to improve their lives.
Kamajor control the area in the Songo region north of Freetown Sierra Leone. Kamajors believe that when they wear special clothing and amulets they cannot get wounded or hit by bullets.
The rebels systematically loot and burn villages. The civilians usually head for Freetown. People on this truck had nothing but the clothes they wear.
Kamajor's believe that when they wear special clothing and amulets they cannot get wounded or hit by bullets. Kamajor's are originally from a hunting tribe. They are currently alongside the government soldiers (SLA) fighting the rebels.
The RUF (Revolutionary United Front) Rebels are known to have chopped off hands and sometimes legs with machetes. These are civilian people and some of the amputees are children. The girl in the centre of this picture is Mariatu Kamara, 14, from Port Loko. She was hiding in the bush trying to escape the rebels. When she and her two sisters were caught, the rebels cut off their hands. About 2500 people have had limbs cut off since the war started. Some died because of lack of medical facilities.
The West side boys are another fraction in Sierra Leone. Often they are high on drugs and alcohol - what they call "morale boosters." They are currently fighting alongside the government soldiers (SLA). The group had just been attacked by rebels. The day after I left Sierra Leone there was fighting between West side Boys, Kamajors, and government soldiers (SLA) in Freetown. The Kamajors and West side boys were upset that they did not get supplies and salary. The town of Masiaka was captured a few days later by rebels.
The girl on the cot had been fighting for the faction of soldiers called West side boys. Often these factions wear civilian clothing. The girl had been shot through the leg. She was waiting for transportation to get away from the tense area around Rogberi junction.
Rebels used a machete to cut off the hands of Gibrilla Kamara of Port Loko, 60. He was asked to give up the hands he used to vote for President Kabba. The hand to the right belongs to Isatu Biah,26. While the rebels were cutting off her hands they heard a noise and ran away leaving the hand hanging.
Rebels used an axe to cut off both hands of the17-year-old from Port Loko. He walked 80 miles to the hospital. The amputees in this camp are staying with their families who can help them with daily routines.
The man was suspected to have collaborated with the rebels.
Because of the war the prices on food and other essentials have become expensive for the population.