Revisiting Sierra Leone

The scarred face of Issa Kamara

The ordeal of ten-year-old Issa Kamara, who was roasted over a fire by Sierra Leone rebels, provoked an international outcry.

The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, quickly intervened to allow Issa to receive treatment on the NHS in Ipswich.

The photographs of his injuries were a chilling reminder of the atrocities committed by RUF rebels in Sierra Leone.

But the presence of British troops has gone some way toward bolstering the government and many rebels are now handing over their weapons.

This week our West Africa correspondent, Mark Doyle, drove from the capital Freetown, which is government-controlled, to rebel-held Koidu in the east of the country.

To hear his report please click on the audio button at the top of the page.