Civil+War+Info

The Sierra Leone civil war began in 1991, by the Revolutionary United Front, under Foday Sankoh. Tens of thousands died, and more than 2 million people (well over 1/3 of the population) were displaced because of the 11 year conflict. A primary cause of the war was of Sierra Leone's diamond industry. Although Sierra Leone is abundant with natural resources in 1998 it was ranked as the poorest country in the world, by 1998. With the breakdown of all state structures, wide corridors of Sierra Leonean society were opened up to the trafficking of arms and amunitions. Recreational drugs also eroded national and regional security as well as facilitated crime within the country, precipitating illegal trade with both Liberia and Guinea. The civil war then ended in January 18, 2002. The civil war in Sierra Leone was infamous for the amputating of arms and legs, which is what happened to the people on the front page. In a matter of day's the rebels of Sierra Leone are said to have amputated the limbs of around 1,500 people. The rebels of Sierra Leone not only cut of peoples limbs, but they also had child soldiers like the one below. Look at this kid he really had no choice, but to go out and fight in their awful civil war. But he was not the only kid who had to go fight, with guns that are almost as big as them. (If you want to see more picturres of child soldiers go to the civil war page, and click on the rebels link.) []