The war in Sierra Leone was financed through the sale of diamonds. This was one of the RUF's most prominent diamond smugglers. Diamonds mined in the rebel stronghold of Kono would find their way to individuals like him who would then arrange for them to be smuggled abroad or sold in Government held areas using fake mining licences.
Kono, Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
Due to a shortage of vehicles in the RUF (Revolutionary United Front) held territories, all vehicles were confiscated by the rebels. This vehicle has been adapted and mounted with a heavy machine gun. When frontline positions were attacked, fleets of vehicles similar to this would ferry the fighters to the front whilst those who could not find transport would run for miles to bolster their frontline positions.
Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
A victim of the indiscriminate slaughter and violence in Sierra Leone. This young schoolgirl was captured by Rebels and amputated. The Rebels often gave their victims a choice, ‘long sleeve’ or ‘short sleeve’. One particular victim who I spared the indignity of being photographed, had been amputated at both wrists and had his ears, nose and lips cut off.
Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
These two RUF (Revolutionary United Front) Commanders were seasoned fighters. They had led many attacks upon government troops and commanded a lot of respect in the RUF stronghold of Kono.
Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
An innocent victim of the indiscriminate slaughter and amputations which had engulfed Sierra Leone. This two year old boy was amputated by AFRC fighters (Armed Forces Revolutionary Council) when he was eighteen months old. The AFRC were former government soldiers who had fled to the bush after their leader Major Johnny Paul Karoma was ousted by the Nigerian ECOMOG forces.
Sierra Leone, 2001
© Ishmahil
Despite war, destruction, mayhem and chaos, the cycle of life continues.
Sierra Leone, 2001
© Ishmahil
This was the first day of school for many of these children in the poor district of Nima, Ghana. Many families could not afford school fees and could therefore not afford to send their children to school. This school was established by individuals in the area to provide a free education.
Ghana, 1995 © Ishmahil
This young girl at a refugee camp for displaced people, was born into a country engaged in a civil war.
In her short life she has known no peace nor experienced the stability of normal home life.
Her family fled to Freetown after rebels stormed their village.
Sierra Leone, 2001
© Ishmahil
A heavily armed UN soldier patrols a frontline border between the RUF (Revolutionary United Front) and CDF (Civil Defence Force) fighters.
Sierra Leone, 2001
© Ishmahil
Children amusing themselves with a radio at the Aberdeen Road, Refugee Camp. People at this camp felt they had been abandoned by the government and left to fend for themselves. Many were reduced to begging in order to get a meal.
Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
A deal was struck between the government of Sierra Leone and Rebel leaders to no longer use child soldiers. These were some of 400 child soldiers handed over to the United Nations by the RUF as part of that agreement. The child sitting furthest to the right was a Commander, his authority was clearly understood by the other children.
Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
At these peace talks in Tongo, Sierra Leone, RUF (Revolutionary United Front) and UN (United Nations) security stand back to back. The UN were understandably nervous, for the rebels had kidnapped hundreds of UN soldiers.
Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
These SLA (Sierra Leone Army) fighters were trained and equipped by the British forces. The military had a tradition of overthrowing the government and imposing military rule, often because they had not received their salaries for months. The government hopes these British trained troops will remain loyal.
Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
Skeletal remains litter the country-side of Sierra Leone. These are the remains of a CDF (Civil Defence Force) militia man who was killed and mutilated by RUF rebels (Revolutionary United Front). He was killed in the no man zone between Kenema and Tongo, his body consumed within weeks by wild animals and insects.
Sierra Leone, 2001 © Ishmahil
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