Edward K. Teah was 22-years-old when he joined rebel group, Movement for Democracy in Liberia, rising to the rank of general during Liberia’s 14-year civil war. Teah now works with the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration, helping to identify ex-combatants for rehabilitation and reintegration.
“Although I sometime experience emotional difficulties, I do not intend to engage in war or violence anymore because I know what the war has done to us. I know that war or violence is not good at all and so, whenever I am face with emotional difficulties I try to control my temper. To avoid some of these emotional problems, what I have done, is to work along with other ex-combatants and we have established an organization [Liberia Emissary Anxious for Development] that has been advocating to provide training opportunities for ex-combatants. I feel when we are empowered financially, we will not think [about] engaging in violence.
“Although most of us have acquired specialized training since the organization was established, finding jobs have been difficult for most of us. This has been the problem for most of us and in most cases, it adds to our frustration. Some think about [resorting] to violence again to makes end meets.
“While emphasis is being placed on training, job creation should also be a focused as a way of avoiding a [potentially violent] situation, where ex-combatants may want to [resort] to violence again simply because they can not sustain themselves with the skills they have acquired. Many ex-combatants roam the streets with nothing to do, in spite of acquiring specialized training skills.
“I am generally accepted where I work and have no problems with anyone. I have adjusted to the working conditions very well since I began working with the [National] commission [for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration] in April 2004. I have no problem with anyone although they know that I am an ex-combatant and am on the commission because of this. [But] I must be frank to say that I have not had any resentment [from] my colleagues.”
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