Weah urges child troops to
disarm
BBC NEWS
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The prolonged civil
war has damaged a whole generation
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Amid tumultuous scenes, the star footballer
George Weah arrived home in Liberia on Tuesday to campaign
for the disarmament of child soldiers.
The former Chelsea and AC Milan player - once seen as the
world's best centre forward - is now a goodwill ambassador
for the UN's children's charity Unicef.
"The war is over," was his message for Liberia's 15,000 or
so child soldiers. "Disarm and get back to school."
His visit coincides with a UN Security Council debate on
children in war.
Liberia endured 14 years of civil war until former
President Charles Taylor fled the country in August last
year.
Brutal reality
Mr Weah - one of the most popular men in the country -
returned to a joyous reception.
"My message today," he told the crowds, "is that the war
is over, there will be no more war, they [the children]
should disarm and get back to school, because it is
imperative that we live in peace and harmony for the
betterment of our country and the children."
Weah was Fifa,
European and African player of the year in
95
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His return coincides with the release of an optional
protocol on the treatment of children in conflicts by Unicef,
the UN children's agency.
But the brutal reality is that some militia leaders
prefer recruiting children, says the BBC's Mark Doyle in
Liberia.
This is because they have less sense of morality than
adults, and often do not think twice when ordered to commit
atrocities, he says. |
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