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Sam Bockarie | |
|---|---|
| Commander of the Revolutionary United Front | |
| In office 2000–2003 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Samuel "Sam" Bockarie 2 October 1964 Koidu Town, Kono District, Sierra Leone |
| Died | 5 May 2003 (aged 38) Liberia |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
| Political party | Revolutionary United Front |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Sierra Leone |
| Branch/service | Sierra Leone Armed Forces |
| Battles/wars | Sierra Leone Civil War |
Samuel Sam Bockarie (2 October 1964 – 5 May 2003), widely known as Mosquito, was a Sierra Leonean politician and army commander who served as a leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). Bockarie was infamous during the Sierra Leone Civil War for his brutal tactics, which included amputation, mutilation, and rape. He earned the nickname "Mosquito" for his ability to attack when his enemies were off-guard, mainly during the night.[1] In the book Merchant of Death, the author states the nickname came from Bockarie's claims that he would "suck the life out of his enemies."[2] During his service in the RUF, he befriended future Liberian president Charles Taylor, and RUF commander Foday Sankoh. When Sankoh was imprisoned from March 1997 until April 1999, Bockarie served as commander of the RUF in his place.
- ^ "Bockarie died a wanted man". 8 May 2003. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- ^ Braun, Stephen; Farah, Douglas (1 April 2008). Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible. Trade Paper Press. ISBN 978-0470261965.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)