Amputee Camp Residents in Old Port Loko Decry Years of Neglect on January 6 Remembrance

As many people of Sierra Leone commemorate January 6 in remembrance of the victims of the civil war, members of the Amputee Camp in Old Port Loko used the solemn period to voice deep frustration over what they describe as years of neglect by both government and non-governmental organizations.

Speaking in the local Themne language, Chairlady Sento Conteh painted a painful picture of life after the war, revealing that survival has become an everyday struggle. She explained that despite the sacrifices and suffering endured during the conflict, many amputees have been left with no sustainable support system and are forced to rely on begging to meet their basic needs.
“We are remembered only on days like this,” Conteh lamented.

Also sharing his experience was Sulayman Kanu, an amputated tailor born in Port Loko, who was amputated in 1998 during the height of the war in Kono District. Kanu expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of compassion and inclusion, especially during public holidays and national events.

According to him, amputees are often ignored by politicians who seek public support during election periods but fail to remember war victims once in office.
“We are not considered during celebrations or holidays,” Kanu said. “Yet, it is the absence of love, care, and inclusion that pushed this country into war in the first place.”

Reflecting on the painful lessons of the past, Kanu called on the current government to prioritize the welfare of amputees and their children, warning that continued neglect undermines national reconciliation and lasting peace.

The January 6 commemoration is meant to serve as a reminder of the horrors of war and the need for unity, healing, and justice. However, for the amputees of Old Port Loko, the day also highlighted an uncomfortable reality that many survivors of the conflict still feel abandoned in the peace they helped secure.

As the nation reflects on its past, voices from the amputee camp are urging authorities and development partners to move beyond words and ceremonies, and to translate remembrance into meaningful action that restores dignity and hope to those most affected by the war.