Amaral (right) and Luis Samacumbi
Amaral Samacumbi was captured by Unita troops at the age of 14 and forced to fight against the government in Angola’s civil war. A few years later his younger brother Luis, who now works for a Christian Aid partner organisation in Angola, was also forced into action, this time by government soldiers.
It was almost 30 years before the brothers were reunited. What follows - starting with Amaral - is their testimony.
‘Unita taught me how to fight. And then they put me on the frontline. Before I was kidnapped I’d never seen a gun before.
‘It was very difficult going from being a schoolboy to a soldier, especially as I was against the war. I wanted to study, not fight, but I didn’t have a choice.
‘After I’d been in the army for many years I trod on a landmine and nearly died. Doctors had to cut my leg off.
‘After nearly 30 years apart, I was happy and overwhelmed to be with Luis again. He was just a small boy when I last saw him so it was a shock to discover that he was nearly the same height as me.
‘We found out that Luis and I fought in the same battle, on the same front, against each other. I was horrified when I realised I could have killed my own brother.
‘I’m so grateful that we are together today.’
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