Ed Royce: “the war in Sierra Leone has been one of the most barbaric in the world. A rebel group, the RUF, supported by neighboring…”

“the war in Sierra Leone has been one of the most barbaric in the world. A rebel group, the RUF, supported by neighboring Liberia, has been conducting the most hideous of violence against civilians in this west African country. They are doing this to steal the Nation's diamond wealth. Last week, 4-year-old Memunatu Mansaray told us how her and her grandmother were among 300 people who sought refuge in a mosque when rebels attacked the capital. When she cried out, the hiding population was discovered, and all but her were shot dead. She survived because, when it was her turn, a rebel commander told a 12-year-old boy, a boy captured and drugged by the rebels, not to waste a bullet on her, but to cut off her hand. Her right hand was amputated that day when she was just 2 years old. Fortunately, private Americans have come forth to give her medical attention. But there are thousands of other child victims with nothing. As a matter of fact, there are 20,000 amputees. I believe that those who saw her left with an awareness of why the U.S. must do more to help bring a just peace, a just peace to Sierra Leone. This savagery has to stop.”