Sierra Leone survivor credits United Nations peacekeepers, recounts joining police during civil war

Resident 1, a public commenter, said United Nations peacekeepers saved their life during Sierra Leone’s civil war and described the widespread destruction the conflict caused. "I survived because, the UN came to my country and that's why I'm alive," Resident 1 said.

Resident 2, another public commenter, said they lived through 11 years of civil war and later joined the Sierra Leone Police Force "in order to maintain law and order, protecting life and property." Resident 2 told the meeting that food was scarce and that "half of the city was burnt down completely."

Both commenters placed the events in a longer timeline: Resident 1 said Sierra Leone has moved from "a failed state" to being "a member of the Security Council," and described seeing the U.N. flag as a sign that villagers would "live to fight another day." Resident 2 thanked outside peacekeepers for helping bring peace: "People from other countries, they went there for peace in my country, and so they I'm saying thanks to God because there is peace in Sierra Leone."

The remarks were delivered during public comment and conveyed personal experience of wartime conditions, the arrival of international peacekeepers, and one speaker's subsequent service in national law enforcement. No formal action or vote accompanied the comments.