Agu - is the young narrator and protagonist of the novel. He is a child soldier fighting in an unnamed West African country's civil war. Agu is forced to join a rebel militant group led by the Commandant after his father is killed and his village is attacked. Despite being exposed to extreme violence and trauma, Agu retains some innocence and humanity.

The Commandant - is the brutal leader of the rebel militant group that Agu joins. The Commandant trains and indoctrinates the child soldiers under his command, brutalizing and sexually abusing them. He is a terrifying figure who rules through fear.

Strika - is one of the other child soldiers in the Commandant's group. Strika befriends Agu and they form a close bond, looking out for each other amidst the horrors of war.

Agu's Father - insisted on staying behind with Agu when the war reached their village, leading to his death which traumatized Agu.

Agu's Mother and Sister - fled the village on a UN truck before it was attacked, becoming separated from Agu.

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