New Democrat (Monrovia)
6 July 2009
The Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) is still putting its final touches to its controversial report, but it has released a list of 98 individuals described as "most notorious perpetrators" of war crimes, with former President Charles Taylor conspicuously absent in this category. Heading the list of "most notorious" is the erstwhile Field Marshall of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), Gen. Prince Johnson, now Senator for Nimba County.
Reactions on the TRC report from some of the politicians on the list are still being considered, but former Senate President Isaac Nyenabo, banned from holding public office for his alleged role in the war, contacted, said he couldn't respond to "perceptions." He has however scheduled an official response for today.
Earlier, Mr. Saahr Gbollie, on the list of the "most notorious", vowed resistance, the same position that former Field Marshall Johnson has adopted.
A source close to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the President has not received the report, therefore ruling out comments.
The report, in its current form, indicted all warring factions for committing various crimes, along with key individuals in political circles and institutions for committing economic crimes.
The report traced the history of Liberia, with conclusions that inequalities were prevalent. This paper will periodically highlight key section of a rather voluminous report.
The report: "The relationship between IGNU and NPRAG was, as to be expected, tense. Liberia was effectively divided into greater Monrovia and Greater Liberia of Charles Taylor's NPRAG. This divide was re-enforced by the introduction of new bank notes (liberty) by IGNU to counter spiraling inflation resulting from the former bank notes (JJ) being looted from commercial banks and containers which were in the hands of warlords including, Prince Johnson who was bitter and angered when possession of large amounts of the JJ bank notes could not be justified for which exchange was often denied. Although Taylor countered this by forbidden anyone in greater Liberia to use the new currency, it was soon clear that this move was hopeless as the new currency indeed triumphed in parallel and black markets."
NO./NAME/VIOLATIONS
1 Prince Y. Johnson - Killing, extortion, massacre, destruction of property, force recruitment, assault, abduction, torture & force labor, rape
2 Moses Z. Blah - Torture, Abduction, Assault & Looting
3 William Sumo - Torture, Abduction, Assault & Looting
4 Mehnsayon Sayon - Torture, Abduction, Assault, Looting,force detention, force recruitment
5 John Gbeto - Torture, Abduction, Assault & Looting
6 Paulson Garteh alias Gen. Satan - Massacre, Torture & Extortion
7 Augustine Zor - Massacre, Arson & Torture
8 Joseph Kpeyon - Massacre
9 Mateus Paily - Massacre
10 Gen. Lawrence Guanuu - Force Labor & Massacre
11 Supt. Jonathan Banney - Torture
12 Albert Sumeh - Murder & Rape
13 Gen. Sampson - Murder
14 Christopher Vambo alias Gen. Mosquito - Murder & Torture
15 Col. Joloka - Rape, Torture & Murder
16 Prince Nagbe - Rape, Torture & Murder
17 Pat Ran Kennedy - Murder, Looting & Force Labor
18 Klehgbayee - Murder, Looting & Force Labor
19 Abel S. Gbalah - Torture, Rape & Murder
20 Gen. Nally - Rape, Force Labor & Murder
21 Macdonald Tarpeh - Rape, Mutilation & Murder
22 Anthony Ponnie - Rape, Mutilation & Murder
23 Alfred Payne - Rape, Mutilation & Murder
24 Gen. Greene - Conscription, Rape & Murder
25 Saywalaka - Conscription, Rape & Murder
26 Chris Davis - Murder, Conscriptoin, Torture & Rape
27 Col. Boy Tarley - Murder, Force Labor, Mutilation
28 John Guain alias Gen. Norriega - Massacre
29 Michael Davies alias Sundaygar Dear-boy - Looting, Torture, killing & Gang Rape
30 Peter Giah children father - Killing
31 Coco Dennis, Gen. Gonda, (NPFL) - Massacre, Killing, Force Labor, Canibalism
32 Carsacar Group (NPFL) Joseph (model) - Massacre, Forced Labor
33 (LPC) Blood Sucker war boss - Rape, Killing, Torture & Canibalism
34 Nuku Johnson - Gen. Nathan (LPC) - Massacre, Torture, Rape
35 (NPFL) Red Devil - Massacre
36 (LPC) Mohammeh Bah (Superman) - Killing, Rape
37 (LPC) Superman - Massacre
38 J.Y. NPFL (delta force) - Rape, Torture & Extortion
39 Chinese Jabber Philip Kamiongar (NPFL) - Killing, Rape, Torture, Forced Labor
40 LPC Debbah - Killing, Torture, Destruction
41 (NPFL Marine), Fasue, Gonkarnue - Torture, Detention
42 NPFL-Markdamie, Black Diamond - Massacre, Cannabalism
43 Gen. Freeman (NPFL) - Massacre
44 Sundaygar, young killer, skinny - Torture, Massacre
45 NPFL - Matthew gio - Killing, Massacre
46 (NPFL Gen. Gondah (Reginald Ballout) - Torture, Forced Labor, cannibalism or eating victim's human flesh
47 Citizens of Duo (single barrel) unit NPFL - Massacre
48 (NPFL) Mekarnu Goweh, Saye Boayou - Extortion, Torture
49 (LPC) George pee Solo Garsanoo - Killing, Destruction and Torture
50 Saah R. Gborllie - Murder, dismemberment of pregnant women
51 Richard Flomo - Torture and Killing
52 Jerry Risks - Massacre
53 John Garan (Junior Garan) - Torture, Killings & Massacre
54 Gen. Steven Wontoe - Torture, extortion & Killings
55 Gen. Joe Tuah - Torture, summary executions, conscription, forced labor and ritualistic killings
56 David Daniel - Torture, rape, summary executions, conscription, forced labor and ritualistic killings
57 Martina Johnson - Killings
58 Junior Mitchell - Torture, sexual slavery, forced labor & killings
59 Gen. Fasue - Rape, Massacre, looting & Summary killings
60 George Dweh - Murder, killing & torture
61 Gen. Charles Julu - Murder, killing, destruction of property & torture
62 Augustine Nagbe alian Gen. Power - Torture, looting & destruction of property
63 Marcus High Gray - Torture, killing & looting
64 J. Appollo Swen - Killing & extortion
65 Sando Johnson - Killing & force recruitment
66 Joseph Marzah alian Zigzag Marzarh - Murder
67 Kai Farley - Massacre & killing
68 Varmuyah - Rape, torture & force labor
69 Amos Barclay - Rape, torture & force labor
70 Larry Murphy - Killing & torture
71 Mike Tyson - Massacre, torture & arson
72 Gen. Ofori Diah, alias Iron Jacket - Force labor
73 George Warpo - Massacre, Arson & Torture
74 Co. Zero-Zero - Massacre, Arson & Torture
75 Peter Dahn - Massacre, Arson & Torture
76 Co. Kortor - Massacre, Arson & Torture
77 Tommy B. Wongba - Massacre, Arson & Torture
78 Peter Pewee, alias Gen. Katali - Killing & torture
79 Gen. Ericson Bardio - Rape, sexual slavery & force labor
80 Benjamin Yeaten - Murder, torture & abduction
81 Roland Duo - Murder, torture & abduction
82 Felix Washington - Murder
83 Senegalese - Murder, torture & force displacement
84 Moses Tarley alias Co. Crab - Torture & murder
85 Co David Torture & extortion
86 Siafa Norman - Abduction & arson
87 Sakou Donzo - Arson
88 Adolphus Dolo - Murder
89 Melvin Sogbandi - Killing, torture, massacre & looting
90 Mango Menlor - Murder, abduction & rape
91 Mark Guahn - Killing, genocide & murder
92 Moses Thomas- former - Torture, Murder
93 Maj. Jerry Gban - Torture, Murder, Looting
94 Waheeb Saab - Torture, Murder
95 Maj. Harry Johnson - Torture, Murder
96 Zico Nah Darliah - Murder, torture & force displacement, Rape, Genocide, Massacre
97 Lieutenant Andrew Gaye - Torture, Murder
98 Arthur Nyenabo - Torture, Murder
To be cont'd
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It is my sincerest hope and prayer now that the TRC has spoken, those responsible for the implemetation part will deliberate and decide what should be implimented in the interest of Liberia. I am sure "TRC" stand something, but from this report I am not sure it stands for "Truth and Reconciliation Commissiion". Which Liberian did not at some point cheer Doe or Taylor on.
Well done Mr. Commissioner and thanks to the bodies that finacied your project. However i would like to import my strong disagreement with you on the prosecution recommendation of 'persons bearing the most responsibnility 'in the conflict . Without a speck of doubt ,Yumi Johnson ,Taylor Kromah ,and the rest ofthe varied factional leaders should be brought to book to account for their roles ,but from the Sierra leonean experience ,the room for justice to take a course is more than small .And further ,the International criminal justice system dosen't actually dispense justice rather its focal element in the entire process is a mere political weapon. In our system of fraternity it would really serve no one for Liberians to go on any expedition trip which may end up corrosively dividing the country. The war was initiated by Sirleaf ,Sawyer ,Fahnbulleh and co as a last resort effort to get rid of Doe and it didn't go without the prior approval of the United States - the architect and most vocal organizer of the Justice panel. If the International community is that committed to bringing the perperators to Justice ,then what about the elements in the US government that gave its nod of approval ,Sirleaf and co ,who actually facilitated and nutured the Taylor factor and the field commanders who actually executed the dictates of their bosses- these were the individuals whose direct actions actually wrecked havoc on the poor masses. Like Sierra Leone ,eeveryday every moment the amputees sees their amputators passing by them in cars and other spoils of the carnage ,it smoulders their remaining courage to live. In short Liberians would be better served without any sort of Criminal court sitting that will hung over them for decades to come . And the funniest of all is the Sirleaf disqualification inclusion. Here is a Sitting highly popular ( outside liberia) President who , like Ghadaffi and Tejan Kabbah can never be included in any court hearing by any court whatsoever, and she is been asked to step aside . why do we pretend to such a low level .Without Sirleaf and others no true Judicial engagement will ever quiten the guns in Liberia neither will the embers of that tragedy be thrown into the sea. So please think again .
Hashim
Woh! what can one say.Elen is not Better then Taylor. I think taylor is better, cuz taylor known for talking the truth. Elen never thought the trc would have given such a report.She sold taylor for good image, today we are selling her for the same good image. We don't want anyone that took part in the war to rule us........... when taylor is finish given his part of the story, Elen herself will step down.
It saddened my heart to hear comments like Ellen isno different from Taylor. If we were to go on listing the mountainous differences that exists between Madam Ellen and Mr. Taylor, the website could be jam for some time. So we will not go in to that. Madam Sirleaf with the respect of the international community has been able restore Liberia's image from one of a pariah state to respected nation in the comity of nations. She has been able to raised the country's budget from a mere $80 million US to almost $400 million in the space of just ovee 3 years with civil servnts salary rising from $800 Liberian Dollars to $ 80 US now. We are for the first time massive improvement in the our road conditions, in the health sector, educational sector and the list goes on. The leadership ability of Madam Sirleaf has led to a considerable increase in international support fro liberia's rebuilding. Have you seen the new university campus unde construction at Fendell, do you know about the 100 bed room multi million dollar hospital being costructed at Tappita? Do we have to say that the two commonalities that exists between Mr. Taylor and Madam Sirleaf are that of being Liberians first and second as Presidents? Please think about this and know that Mrs. Sirleaf is a dignified and respected President.
what are you talking about here? How do you think that Taylor was going to do those things you talked about? All of those people from the international community that are helping today, are the same people who she got help from to damage taylor's image out there.But you and i know that Elen was the one who mobilize Taylor and the others by the help of some us investors, They even got him out of jail. The 1985 coup was her idea, 1989 war was her idea. Taylor was just the foot soldier. But hold your peace ontil the 13,07 2009 when Taylor will give his side of the story.Taylor had sanctions and travel ban, Elen is free. Nobody is distroying her image. You heared George Bush when he said he desided to help Ellen forfill her dream. So he suppoeted her and she won a free and fair ellection. We know some of you guys are pro Ellen. Oh because it's Ellen? Why You didn't put your hand behind Taylor at the time. You guys was just there supporting lurd rebbel. You should spend your time praying for sekou d conneh to be free. Ellen has allready said he's being treated as a guinean. If it was taylor you guys would have broght war again. Try to be real man!
Liberians need to sit back and evaluate what the TRC report findings means for our young democracy. In my opinion, the TRC process should've been untaken during the Bryant transitional administration and completed before heading into the last elections. Coming out with a prosecutorial slant at this time is taking the country back to acrimony and strife. Is the result worth risking the fragile peaceful democracy that the country now clings onto? Is it worth diverting so much international assistance that should continue going toward development and poverty reduction? Is placing the country in several lengthy periods of expensive legal tussles and halt the redevelopment process to settle scores worthy it? And then after all that is done, will we as Liberians experience true peace? Will we ever finally be satisfied? After they got rid of Tolbert and tried and executed 13 of his officials, did it bring peace and satisfaction to Liberians? Did it lead to lasting stability? Look where we are after all those years. The level of hatred and vennom even amongst some persons who blogg on these websites is very frightening! The TRC did not include vivid recommendations that would reunite and reconcile Liberia other than penalizing former warlords and citing a highly selective list of names of those to be banned from politics for 30 years. We all can remember that it was not too long ago that some Liberians were saying to Charles Taylor, "you kill my Ma, you kill my Pa, but I will vote for you". And they voted in the thousands, electing Charles Taylor as president of Liberia. The same Liberians also voted Prince Johnson into the Senate to represent Nimba, the second most populous county in Liberia. The information of Sirleaf's initial support for Taylor was out long after the war, and yet Liberians in a free and fair elections, voted her as their president. Now, should the TRC recommendations be allowed to reverse the results of democratic elections or elect whom ever they see fit? Because lets face it, as the Bible saids, "let he who has no sin, throw first stone". Can we say that the TRC process itself was without political influence and wrangling since some of its members were in constant disharmony leading to all of them not signing the final document? Did they recommend solutions to tribal conflicts or religious intolerance? Did they deal with and recommend corrective policies toward the lingering cleavages between the Congau vs Country man divide? The TRC also placed the penalty of a 30 year political ban on politicians and non-politicians alike. This is somewhat unbalanced. Some of the qualifiers (private businessmen) included in the 30 year ban, could care less if they are included in such a ban from politics in Liberia. Those guys have nothing to loose sitting in America or elsewhere. Others would have more to loose since they are career politicans. There should've been other forms of penalties recommended...such as fines for those who provided financing to the waring factions or confiscation of properties and businesses to those who allowed their business interests to be in collusion with warlords. The report's recommendations are very shallow because the TRC allowed itself to become politically compromised. Unfortunitely, the TRC did a major disservice to Liberia by opening up old wounds, and creating more divisions. Is this why the TRC was constituted?
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