Being a child soldier
South Sudan 🇸🇩
“I was at school one day when I saw soldiers coming out of a truck. Other students started to run into nearby bushes and our teachers told us to hide so they don’t kill us or take us. The soldiers threatened to kill my teachers if we refused to obey their orders. I spent one year and three months with other child soldiers doing training. We were forced to kill innocent people and loot their properties. We were told to burn their grass houses and destroy the community by the order of our rebel commander. When I started growing up, I knew what I was doing was wrong since the stains of the blood of innocent people were on my hands. Their ghosts would come and disturb me while I was sleeping.
“I started planning my escape into the bush with other children soldiers when I was told I would be sent to my own village.”
I started planning my escape into the bush with other children soldiers when I was told I would be sent to my own village. I couldn't take the chance that I would have to kill my relatives and friends, so I ran somewhere into the bush. I threw down the army uniform and the AK-47, while I ran bare chested and looked behind me to see if they were following me. Right now, I am in hiding. If they get me, they will kill me or take me back. They say I might talk about their secrets to the government. I do a casual labour job to earn a living and the people know that I was forced to be a soldier but it's not me who wanted that. We were misled by our commanders that we were fighting to restore peace and governance in the country. I started to realise what we were doing was wrong since we were killing. I saw it wasn't a sign of peace.”
