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

Yusuf Ali, a 34-year-old former child soldier in Somalia, continues to grapple with traumatic memories from his past. Living in Mogadishu, he finds his surroundings filled with constant reminders of the violence he endured and participated in. Ali's experiences highlight the profound and lasting psychological impact of child soldiery. He describes his past as a period where survival meant resorting to extreme violence. His current life is a daily struggle to overcome the nightmares and psychological scars left by his time as a combatant.

The story sheds light on the enduring trauma faced by survivors of child soldiery, emphasizing the long-term consequences of such experiences.