Flying Stars Amputee Football team of Sierra Leone has on Wednesday January 6, 2021, played a match against their Liberian counterparts to commemorate the tragic civil war in Sierra Leone.
On January 6, 1999, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels entered the capital city of Sierra Leone, Freetown, as part of an offensive to overthrow the government of the Sierra Leone People’s Party. The RUF rebels attacked the city and randomly massacred its inhabitants. The rebels gunned down fleeing civilians, burned homes, committed rape, amputated limbs, and gouged out eyes. The RUF brought down an almost arbitrary wave of ruthless terror on Freetown that claimed more than 7000 lives (Human Rights Watch 1999).
From March 1991 – 2002 many Sierra Leoneans were killed, amputated, displaced and suffered mental complications due to the effects of the civil war.
The President of Flying Stars Amputee Football Team, Mohammed Lappia, said that commemoration of January 6 every year is a way to remind Sierra Leoneans of the need to maintain peace and avoid many lives from being lost, families been broken, and dreams shattered. He added that over 2000 innocent Sierra Leoneans had their limb amputated. He said that recognizing this day brings awareness to younger generations to reflect on what took place during that period. He further suggested that the government of Sierra Leone should declare the day a public holiday.
According to Lappia, January 6 in Sierra Leone is always commemorated as a day when war amputees and other victim of the war which was fought in Serra Leone come out in numbers to thank God for keeping them alive and seeing another year.
“It’s a day annually celebrated right round the country in all the districts of Sierra Leone.” This year’s celebration commenced earlier on with a peaceful march-pass starting from UP-GUN – Kissy Road to Cotton Tree in Freetown, where war victims gathered putting up their banners and showing the public what they believe.
Lappia highlighted the challenges they face which include insufficient funding for amputee/war wounded victims support from the Government and lack of medical facilities.
By Theressa Taylor and Yeanoh Sesay
7/01/2021. ISSUE NO:7974