Who is Mambu? Why does Ishmael get to like him? Who is Esther?

Ishamel meets Mambu at the UNICEF camp. Both boys belong to different groups of soldiers, but after meeting they combine their groups with Mambu as leader. Mambu was a relentless fighter, which impressed Ishamel. He was the kind of guy Ishmael would have liked on his own squad. The two boys become close friends over time.

Esther is a nurse in the Benin compound. She takes a special interest in Ishmael and helps him overcome his emotional trauma.