Monrovia — Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf testified before the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Thursday, where she denied being part of any rebel group during the 14-year civil war.
Sirleaf's appearance came as a surprise to many as it was not previously announced by the commission. Local radio stations reported that the hearing took place under tight security at the commission's headquarters. Hearings normally take place at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia.
In her testimony, Sirleaf said she had endorsed former president Charles Taylor's rebellion against President Samuel Doe but had never been part of the rebel group. “If there's anything I need to apologize to this nation for is the fact I was fooled by Mr. Taylor,” local radio stations reported her as telling the commission.
President Sirleaf admitted to being a part of a group of exiled Liberians who lent their support to Mr. Taylor without being aware of his true intentions. "I feel it in my conscience," Sirleaf said. "I feel it every day."
Sirleaf, an opposition politician during Doe's rule, was kept under house arrest and incarcerated before fleeing the country into exile in the 1980s.
Her appearance at the truth commission has been a source of debate for many. Many Liberians anxiously awaited her testimony on previous occasions when it was rumored she would appear.
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HELLO TRUE AND PLEACE LOVING PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT SWEET LIBERIA, IS THIS NOT THE TIME FOR US TO FORGET THE PASS AND START THINKING ABOUT HOW WE WILL REBUILD OUR SWEET LAND (LIBERIA). YES, ALL OF OUR LIBERIAN,S LEADERS ALL HAD CAUSED NEGATIVE EFFECTS TO OUR COUNTRY IN DIFFERENT WAYS FROM THE FOUNDING DAY OF OUR COUNTRY.IT'S RIGHT FOR US TO TALK ABOUT THEIR NEGATIVE ACTS THAT WE ALL FEEL THE PAIN AS THE RESULT OF. BUT WE BETTER NOT FORGET THAT THIS IS THE TIME FOR US TO FOCUS ON REBUILDING OUR COUNTRY. LET US UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALL ARE TRUE LIBERIAN NO MATTER WERE WE CAME FROM. LET US UNIFY, LET US FORGET THE PASSED THIS WILL HELP US TO MAKE LIBERIA SWEET AND EVEN SWEETER. MAY GOD BLESS NATION (LIBERIA)
Well, i think that the is a Righteous Judge who is above and sees all things.
Let us not judge, as the Holy Bible says vegeance is his.
Whatsoever sins one commit, it will certainly find them out.
T. Krah
I still feel the pains and hurrors actrocities and worse things that occured in Liberia.We all have our own stories that we can't begin to explain because if we do the stories will not end.Mama Liberia.We strongly opposed to the establishment of the TRC and we made our position statment very transperant but Liberia failed to listen.Here we are,bringing out stories that still has the ability to interrup the peace and joy that the Liberian people are enjoying today.Please fellow Liberian,lets think about the future and how to rebuild mama Liberia.Its still early for what is going now.Lets stop!
Corect all said here. How a minority of less than 5 % can rule in the interest of a majority? This minority that was an historical elite for 150 years , being "burned" by the fire one time , they will ensure that it will not happen again, right? At such, they will plot, conive, lie, and do all it takes for them to stay in power for ever.That is a perpetual hidden war not a open honest work for the interest of majority, as the majority is their perpetual enemy. How do you expect for them to speak the Truth? Just imagine..! Liberian majority and true people lost a historical opportunity to govern themselves for long time to come..Very sad.The ruling elite can not help themselves better because they are a small group . but using the political management (even civil wars if needed ) , justice system , media power and economics !
Liberia is a diverse society, and we must exercise tolerance. This question: "How a minority of less than 5 % can rule in the interest of a majority?" and the subsequent answers provided are not in the best interest of Liberia and its people. Such comments are inappropriate, especially in a forum sch as this (responding to an article on TRC, which seeks to unify the Liberian people). Your comments have no place in this discussion. Get back to the article on TRC. You are trying to take Liberia back.
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