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Punch Q&A: From child soldier to hip hop star

30 Sep 05:40am

Filed under: Child Soldiers, Darfur, Music, South Sudan, Sudan

Emmanuel Jal was around seven years old when he was recruited as a soldier for the Sudanese Liberation Army. He’s now become a hit musician. But how did he get from one to the other? He explained his story to The Punch.

Emmanuel Jal in Sydney in 2009. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Can you describe for us how you were recruited to the Sudanese Liberation Army, and how you felt at the time?

I was 7 years old and I had been sent to a refugee camp in Ethiopia by my father to receive schooling and to leave the war behind. Whilst I was at the camp, under the UN’s nose SPLA commanders were rallying the children and young people together.

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subotic says:

10:52am | 03/10/11

@John, wow, I think I’ve finally found someone who trumps Cathy O’Brien or David Icke in the totally delusional stakes. All you need to do now is confirm your belief in CIA sponsored underground reptilian aliens who secretly control the planet and you get the prize mate. Trance-Formation, MK-Ultra or… Read more »
stephen says:

01:15pm | 01/10/11

Hip-hop and rap is not music ; it’s an excuse for the nervous and vacant to appear busy, and at the same time, wear tatoos and drug-manufacturing t-shirts, whilst crapping on about societ’ys inclusiveness. Read more »

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