'It was either killed or be killed' - ongoing nightmares of an ex-child soldier in Somalia

Article excerpt

Yusuf Ali was forced into Somalia's military as a child and spent years as a soldier before escaping. Now 34, he lives in Mogadishu haunted by trauma, recounting moments where he killed or faced death, struggling to sleep and process the violence that consumed his youth. His story illustrates the lasting psychological scars carried by thousands of former child soldiers across Somalia, many of whom lack access to mental health support and live in environments that continuously trigger their painful memories.