At the age of 19, while pursuing my studies at university, I was recruited into the Dawlah Islamiyyah Group in Marawi City through preaching. I subsequently married one of its sub-leaders. During my time with the group, I encountered numerous confrontations with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the mountains of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.
In 2023, I became a widow when my husband met his demise during a military raid in Marawi City. This operation also resulted in the neutralization of both my husband and the leader of Dawlah Islamiyyah for Southeast Asia.
Following this, I was offered a chance to join a reintegration and deradicalization program for former violent extremists in Marawi City. This opportunity has instilled in me hope for a brighter and more peaceful future for myself and my only child.
Currently, as I participate in this program, I am also pursuing my studies at Mindanao State University Main Campus in Marawi City, where I am working towards an AB in Islamic Studies with a major in Islamic Jurisprudence. My goal is to become a successful lawyer and advocate for peace, contributing to the creation of a more harmonious community and world. We owe it to ourselves and our children to strive for a future free from negativity, where peace and positivity prevail.
Ruth Abunaw Besong
Program Officer for Africa at the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)
Ms. Ruth Besong is a Program Officer for Africa at the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP). She has worked with multicultural institutions under projects focused on Humanitarian Assistance, Peace and Security, Gender Equality, and International Development.
Her expertise includes Peace and Security, Gender Violence Prevention and Response in Africa, Conflict-sensitive project management, the Integration of Gender in Small Arms and Light Weapons Control in Cameroon, and Gender-based Violent Extremism. She is passionate about the social reintegration of female former combatants (YANSAG) and committed to supporting these youth who are once associated with non-state armed groups as they transition from conflict to peace, helping them become unique agents of peace.
Yosef Mlaw Grmay
Former Member of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Ethiopia
Mr. Yosef, currently 27 years old, is a former member of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). He was a merchant before the conflict started, but he decided to join the group after witnessing genocide in his hometown. He later left the group due to an injury.
Now, he is determined to become an agent of peace, using his own experiences to highlight the importance of not giving up finding a new way to peace.
Sita B.K. Samjhana
Political, social, and literary worker,
Former Member of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Maoist Movement in Nepal
Ms. Sita B.K. Samjhana joined the Maoist movement in Nepal at age 16, serving in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) during the 10-year-long People's War (1996-2006). Advancing through various positions from member to commander, she sustained serious injuries from bullet wounds and lost her life partner in the war.
After the peace agreement, she faced significant challenges in reintegrating into her community, while serving as a member of the Nepal's interim legislature. Drawing from these experiences, she has a desire to share her life experiences with fellow combatants like her. She has dedicated herself to supporting other former combatants, particularly injured combatants, martyrs' families, and female combatants who lost their life partners in the war. After rebuilding her life through a second marriage, she now focuses on political, social, and literary work. She published a book about her experiences titled "Janayuddhaka Samsmaran" (Memories of the People's War).
Michael Culbert
Director of Coiste Na nIarchimi,
Former Member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Mr. Michael is a former member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which fought against the British government in Northern Ireland's independence conflict. He was later imprisoned as an IRA member and served time until the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Currently, he serves as the Director of "Coiste na nIarchimí," an organization that provides support to former combatants (prisoners) and their families in Northern Ireland.
His current work is focused on advancing the peace process in Northern Ireland, facilitating participation in the electoral system, and fostering reconciliation across society.
Mirsada Tursunović
President of Naš Glas,
Survivor of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) During the Bosnian War
Ms. Mirsada Tursunović survived conflict-related sexual violence at the age of 18 during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. After dealing with trauma for many years, she chose to challenge the silence surrounding wartime sexual violence by openly addressing these issues. Her efforts aim to confront past injustices and advocate for the social inclusion of victims and survivors.
Today, at 50 years old, she is the founder of "Naš Glas" (Our Voice) — a Bosnia-Herzegovina-based association dedicated to helping victims and survivors of sexual violence in war. Through her organization, she promotes democratic values such as humanity, non-violence, and tolerance. As a lifelong advocate for peace, Ms. Tursunović continues to share her message of hope and a better future for all, both locally and globally.
Edson Jean
Father of two children,
Former Member of a Haitian gang
Mr. Edson Jean, now 26 years old, was a former member of a Haitian gang. In 2024, he joined a local gang following an attack on his community by a hostile group, which resulted in the destruction of his livelihood as a motorcycle cab driver. He has since left the gang and currently lives with his mother in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.
During his time with the gang, he served as a night watchman, defending the territory against attacks from rival groups. This period was marked by significant hardships, including the loss of his left arm in battle and the deaths of two close friends. He still has a bullet lodged in his abdomen. After his gang was defeated, he decided to leave.
Reflecting on his experiences, he expresses remorse for the victims of gang violence and wishes to encourage current gang members to lay down their arms. He believes poverty and unemployment are the root causes of Haiti's ongoing unrest. While uncertain about the potential for peace in Haiti, he joined GTY to explore avenues for positive change.
Why do we use the term "Youth Combatants" instead of "YANSAG (Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups)" or "youth soldiers"?
A closely related issue to that of youth is the rights of children involved in armed conflict. The formal legal term used internationally for such children is "Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG [1])," although the term "child soldiers" is more commonly used. Similarly, when referring to youth involved in armed conflict, we have introduced a new concept called "Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups (YANSAG)," defined as "any person aged between 18-35 years, but not strictly limited to this age range, who is or who has been recruited or used by an NSAG in any capacity." [2] However, "youth soldiers" might be a common term for this demographic. Nevertheless, in this taskforce, we define youth involved with non-state armed groups as "youth combatants." This is because the term "soldiers" can sometimes imply members of national armed forces, and not all youth involved in armed conflicts take on a military role; some may be involved in different capacities, making "youth soldiers" an imprecise term.
Furthermore, the term "combatants" in international humanitarian law is defined as "all members of the armed forces of a party to a conflict, excluding medical and religious personnel" in international armed conflicts. They are granted the rights to (1) directly participate in hostilities and (2) be treated as prisoners of war if captured. In the context of non-international armed conflicts, however, the combatants do not enjoy the same status, and they are referred to as "civilians taking part in hostilities" under humanitarian law.
Given the widespread use of "combatants" in non-international armed conflict contexts without an international nature, and the unclear status of whether members of organized armed groups in non-international conflicts are "civilians" or directly participating in hostilities, we have chosen to refer to youth involved with non-state armed groups as "youth combatants." However, this term does not imply that they hold the status of combatants under international humanitarian law. Our focus remains on their needs and unique potential.
[1] UNICEF, Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, 2007.
[2] Yosuke Nagai and Erica Harper, "Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: Building an Evidence Base on Disengagement Pathways and Reintegration Challenges," Research Brief, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, 2023.
Atok Aris Hadipuro
Deradicalization practitioner,
Former Member of Negara Islam Indonesia (NII), Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT) in Indonesia
Mr. Atok, 42 years old, officially pledged allegiance to Negara Islam Indonesia (NII) while in junior high school. In 2008, seeking involvement with more radical Islamic groups, he left NII and joined Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT), though he did not take the pledge with these groups.
Exposed to radical teachings from a young age, he eventually served 10 years and 8 months in prison for terrorism offenses. In 2015, after attempting to help a sick friend, he was ostracized by his fellow extremists and labeled an infidel. This incident prompted a profound reevaluation of his beliefs and led to a change of heart.
Today, as a deradicalization practitioner, he collaborates with Densus 88, the Indonesian National Police counter-terrorism unit, and the DeBintal Foundation. He supports empowerment and deradicalization programs for former terrorist prisoners across Indonesian prisons. Additionally, he routinely delivers sermons at the Klaten Prison Mosque, where he conducts deradicalization activities for terrorist prisoners and counter-radicalization for general prisoners.
Nahara Khairiya Sittie Naura Hamim
University Student majoring in Islamic Studies,
Former Combatant of a non-state armed group in the Philippines
Ms. Nahara is a returnee from a non-state armed group in the Philippines. She was recruited into the group through preaching in Marawi, a city in the Mindanao region, when she was a 19-year-old university student, and later married one of the group's sub-leaders. During her time with the group, she experienced numerous clashes with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the mountains of the Province of Lanao del Sur and the Province of Lanao del Norte. In 2023, she became a widow when her husband was killed during a military operation in Marawi City, which also neutralized the leader of the non-state armed group.
Following these events, Ms. Nahara joined the pilot batch of the Aftercare Peace Track, a peace education and psychosocial care program offered by the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization based in the Philippines that aims to make every Filipino child and youth a peace hero. She also participated in a reintegration and deradicalization program for former extremists in Marawi City, which brought new hope and a more peaceful future for her and her child.
Currently, while participating in these programs, Nahara is studying at the main campus of Mindanao State University in Marawi City. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Islamic Studies with a focus on Islamic Jurisprudence. Her goal is to become a successful lawyer and an advocate for peace, contributing to the creation of a more harmonious society. She believes it is her duty to strive for a future where peace and positivity prevail.
Ahmed Hamed
High School Student,
Former Member of Houthi (Ansar Allah) in Yemen
Mr. Ahmed was forcibly subjected to cultural and training programs by Houthi (Ansar Allah) when he was 12 years old, during the conflict in Yemen. These programs included extreme interpretations of Islamic and moral teachings that demanded obedience and sacrifice, alongside training in weapons handling, disassembly, and physical conditioning. Amid these challenges, he and his family managed to escape just before being sent to the front lines, finding refuge in areas controlled by the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG).
Following their escape, his situation improved significantly with the aid of humanitarian organizations, especially Accept International, which provided support in the form of food, medicine, and vocational training. He particularly benefited from programs that included education on solar system installation and computer skills, which have greatly helped him on his path to self-reliance.
Currently a high school student, he is utilizing the skills and knowledge he has acquired to forge a better future. He is dedicated to continuing his education and applying his experiences to help build a more peaceful society.
Nor Ali Hassan
NGO worker,
Former member of Al-Shabaab in Somalia
Mr. Nor, a former member of Al-Shabaab in Somalia, joined the organization at the age of 17, seeking revenge after a family member was killed during Somalia’s violent conflict. After spending about two years as a combatant, he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison. While incarcerated, he participated in rehabilitation programs run by Accept International, which helped him reflect on his past and develop a positive outlook. He began supporting fellow inmates through these programs and was released in 2023.
He is currently working as a staff member of an international NGO, involved in supporting the reintegration of youth associated with terrorism and conflict.
Wadani
Self-Employed,
Former Combatant of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka
Ms. Wadani, a former combatant of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), voluntarily joined the LTTE at the age of 13 and experienced the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009). During the civil war, she sustained injuries to her face and arm from an RPG. After the war ended, she started her own business. Today, she has expanded into running restaurants and clothes stores, becoming a leader who employs several women with similar backgrounds.
Having personally suffered intense discrimination from her community for being a former LTTE member after the conflict, she has developed a keen interest in the protection and education of women in conflict areas.
Wasar Azzawi
Human Rights Lawyer and Project Manager at Aid Gate Organization in Iraq
Ms. Wasar Azzawi is a 31-year-old human rights lawyer and Project Manager at Aid Gate Organization, an Iraq-based NGO focused on providing assistance and support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities affected by the conflict with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In her role, she leverages her extensive expertise in the Juvenile Justice sector in Iraq.
She also serves as an arbitrator for international disputes and is listed on the organization’s roster of arbitrators. With her background as a skilled trainer, she specializes in areas such as children associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG), restorative justice, child rights, child development, juvenile justice case management, peace education, and the reintegration of children after detention.
Her professional journey includes significant roles such as two years as a social worker and team leader in gender-based violence (GBV) projects, five years as a social worker, peace education facilitator, and project officer for a juvenile justice project. Additionally, she managed the Women Voice First Project for a year, demonstrating her ability to lead and implement impactful initiatives.
Abdul Wahid Sesay
Deputy project coordinator of EducAid,
Former Combatant of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone
Mr. Wahid was forcibly recruited as a child soldier by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) during the Sierra Leone Civil War (1991-2002). He now serves as the Deputy Project Coordinator at EducAid Sierra Leone, an organization dedicated to improving and strengthening the response capacities of various educational systems, specifically tailored to meet the needs of all children, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable. He is 30 years old and holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management.
The conflict claimed his father’s life and subjected him to severe trauma, including forced training in weaponry and the administration of harmful substances. Despite these experiences, he managed to escape and reunite with his family. Although the initial reunion brought relief, reintegrating into his community posed significant challenges.
This personal struggle ignited his passion for supporting former combatants and disadvantaged youth. He is deeply committed to the social reintegration and educational empowerment of former child soldiers and youth combatants, especially those living on the streets.
Angélica Quimbaya
Nursing and Pharmacy Assistant,
Former Combatant of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP)
Ms. Angélica, currently 29 years old, joined the FARC-EP at the age of 13 and dedicated herself to nursing and combat roles. She reflects on her experiences, recalling how they fought against the ruling class amidst fear and frustration, aiming to bring peace to the people of Colombia while their lives were constantly endangered. Despite the signing of many peace agreements, she recognizes the current reality where few guarantees for a secure life exist. Nevertheless, she has successfully transitioned to become a nursing assistant, pharmacy assistant, and escort, and she has a career plan to study psychology.
Today, she hopes to continue building a better country and peace by collaborating with people from various regions in new and different ways.
Yosuke Nagai
Executive Director, Accept International
Dr. Yosuke Nagai is the Founder and Executive Director of Accept International. Since 2011, he has dedicated himself to implementing defection support, rehabilitation and reintegration programs for disengaged combatants from non-state armed groups, with a primary focus on Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, Indonesia, Colombia, and Palestine. Additionally, he has also provided emergency humanitarian assistance programs to support victims in these regions, involving graduates of rehabilitation programs.
His passion lies in empowering marginalized youth, such as disengaged youth combatants, by providing them with opportunities to break free from cycles of violence and become agents of peace. In 2024, he launched the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants, which comprises peacebuilders with past experiences in non-state armed groups.
Dr. Nagai holds a PhD in Social Science from Waseda University and a Master's degree in Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has served as a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.