CharlesTaylorTrial.org (The Hague)
Alpha Sesay
28 October 2009
Charles Taylor did not plan any operations with Sierra Leonean rebels during the country's 11-year civil conflict, he told Special Court for Sierra Leone judges today at his trial in The Hague.
"I did not plan any operations with them [Sierra Leonean rebels]," the accused former president said today in response to allegations that he helped the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in planning specific operations against the government and people of Sierra Leone.
"I never did. It is beyond my comprehension, how did these people manage this? It did not happen," he added.
Mr. Taylor was responding to the testimony of a former RUF insider Karmoh Kanneh who testified in May 2008 that Mr. Taylor helped the RUF rebels in planning how to attack Sierra Leone's capital Freetown in 1999. Mr. Kanneh's testimony reinforced prosecution allegations that Mr. Taylor was involved in a joint criminal enterprise with the RUF and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) which overthrew the elected government of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah in May 1997. The AFRC junta, which formed an alliance with the RUF, was forcefully removed from power by West African peacekeepers in February 1998. As the AFRC/RUF forces withdrew to Sierra Leonean's hinterland, they committed various attrocities and in May 1999, there was an attack on the country's capital Freetown during which civilians were killed or amputated, houses set on fire and offences of sexual violence committed. The prosecution alleges that Mr. Taylor was part of the plan to commit these crimes and therefore bears responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. Mr. Taylor has denied these allegations.
Dismissing Mr. Kanneh's testimony today that he (Taylor) was part of the "plan and design" to attack Freetown in 1999, Mr. Taylor claimed that the witness was "put together" with these legal terms (plan and design).
"This sounds like legal language, designed and planned, he was put together" he said. "I was never part of the plan. Who ever put this together is definitely lying," he added.
Mr. Taylor also reiterated a common position he has taken throughout his testimony, denying prosecution allegations that he supplied the RUF rebels with arms and ammunition, which were used to commit attrocities in Sierra Leone, in exchange for diamonds. Prosecution witnesses have testified that RUF commanders – including Sam Bockarie, Issa Sesay and Eddie Kanneh — made regular trips to Liberia, taking with them diamonds for Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor has consistently denied these allegations.
"Nobody is bringing me diamonds, not Eddie Kanneh, not Issa Sesay, nobody ever brought me diamonds. I never received diamonds from any human being in Sierra Leone," the accused former Liberian president persisted.
In response to allegations that Mr. Taylor supplied arms and ammunition to the AFRC and RUF sometime in 1998 using helicopters, Mr. Taylor today told the court that as of 1998, the Liberian government did not have any helicopters.
"I did not have a helicopter at this time," he told the judges.
He explained that it was only in the begining of 1999 that his givernment obtained an MI2 helicopter, which he said was too small to even transport arms.
Mr. Taylor also refuted the witness' account that he ordered the RUF rebels to attack Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels in Lofa County in 2000. As in previous testimonies, Mr. Taylor dismissed as "lies" allegations that he gave promotions to RUF commanders Sam Bockarie and Issa Sesa.
"I never made any suggestion or recommendation for promotion in Sierra Leone or anything closer to that," he said.
Mr. Taylor dismissed Mr. Kanneh's entire testimony as a written script against him.
"It looks like a well written script," he said.
Mr. Taylor's testimony continues tomorrow.
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Taylor & his cronies & partners in extreme criminal activities have erased the hopes of millionf of others. Taylor's actions have resulted in mutilation, rape deaths & worse. Based on GREED, he has ochestrated evil not only in the region but, perhaps in the World. Taylor, you are an Evil brattttt. Not only will you not escape the Civil Lawas of this earth, one wonders if you will ever be forgiven by the Almighty. You & your GREEDY fellows thought you could hide. No! More than 30,000,000 people will continue to suffer for extended periods because of youe Sexual infatuations & Greed..YOU WERE JAILED IN THE USA. Now, you are in JAIL within yourself for ever & ever Men may forgive you! But, boy, you have serious problems at the "JUDGEMENT SEAT" YOU SCUM BAG!
Olafaux,
From your utterances it is clear you have not followed the trial at all. Anybody who has followed the trial even casually knows that Taylor Defense is way supderior to the prosecutions case against him. Why do you all want to blame him for what Sierra Leoneans did to themselves ? Following this logic you should also blame Tony Blair and other western leaders whose companies sold the rebels in Sierra Leone the arms.
It's good to be back on this site. Aki, my last post I promised not to hit you hard because you were some how,near to friends of mine.But this doesn't mean that I can't give my points to some of your issues.Taylor's trial is like Barrow and Invinsible Eleven(I.E.)playing a football game,where every supporter gears for a win.Sierra Leone is standing as the Barrow and Liberia is standing as the(I.E.some).At the end of it there'll be a winner.
The trial is not about who is eloquent in coining some of the words of the "Queens' English",it's about the telling of the truth of what happened to the people of Sierra Leone,who had the mess that was supported by Charles Gankay Taylor of Liberia. We await the cross-examination of Taylor. The war on Sierra Leone by Liberia,was like a grocery, where the buyer received no receipts. So we're following the verbal and physical evidence and then put to paper. This is it!
To my brother dulio, I take special reservation to your points or post. Your points are like a News caster at LBS,who pipped through the window of the station and saw a crowd jubilating and then goes to report that it was a serious riot. Those who talk bad of Nigerians in Sierra Leone,are those who Nigerian troops stopped from gaining power in Sierra Leone by the force of arms.
Sierra Leoneans whole-heartedly do in every away appreciated the gallantry of Nigerian Forces and help by the people of Nigeria. If you did meet people in Sierra Leone who don't express their gratitude for the gallant role Nigeria played in the war in Sierra Leone,then they're those I mentioned about in the above paragraph.Nigerians have lived with Sierra Leoneans for decads and they still do and we still do. Nothing will break that relationship.
I do admire the role Nigerians are playing in West Africa and Africa as a whole.To support my countries love for Nigeria. We designated two popular streets in Sierra Leone,one in Kenema in the East and one in Freetown in the West,to the name of the most popular,late Military man of Nigeria one of those who faught together with his men to save Freetown and Sierra Leone-The Late General Maxwell Kobe of Nigeria(May his soul Rest In Perfect Peace-Forever and ever).
Back to the issue of Taylor. Taylor's ambition for power was like ulcer pain. When the AFRC took over Freetown,most of Taylor's men and supporters were very happy.During my under-cover questioning time with the Late Isaac Mussa(Meirsah),he was so happy and throwing his hands in the air like he was catching fortune from the heavens.He categorically told me that Ecomog couldn't stand the AFRC Power. Only to the shame at the end,AFRC was kicked out by Ecomog Forces. Stupid enough,right!
Dulio, your post is like a flock of sheep taking out to grace.They all bend their heads down,without paying attention to intruders.The only time the male sheep raises its head up,is when another middle male sheep climbs on another female sheep. They don't care what goes on aroud them.But interestingly,they show some of their jealousy to their members.
There'll be no more war or fight in Sierra Leone. If you're hoping for it,then I say to you,it's over now because the monster will be in the dock for just 150 years.
Hey tttah's: Did you mean to say Barrolle(the victims of the Sierra Leon civil war) and I.E ( Charles Taylor)or did you really mean to say Liberia VS. Sireea Leone? Please clearify,because I can remember you making threating statements about war b/n Sierra Leone( Athen ) and some country.
Do you wish for Liberia and Sierra Leone to engage in a war? You better stop wishing for something like that my friend.
Emmazoryon, I hate to keep posting for people like you because you do not understand the "Queen's English",not even at the tip. Please get me Aki on this site! Those that I replied my post to,understand my point. But you dull mammal just jumped into the middle of our replies. Anyway,it's not an abuse for you.It's just the character of some mammals to appear very dull in thinking.
Now,simple english('ma men a say the trial of Taylor e je like Barrow and I.E. playing, I.E. trying to win en Barrow trying to win. So, the supporters of Taylor,wan Taylor to be free and those who saw Taylor's support the RUF,wan Taylor to be locked up'. So Dude!Where do you stand,for mayhem gurus or for the innocent civilians who suffered the breed of greed?
Secondly,my point is telling you that no more will bandicts enter each other's countries to cause mayhem. If they do, I'll plainly tell you that Sierra Leoneans will not stand to say no weapons,because it will come in convoys of trucks. If I was President of Sierra Leone,there would've been no rebel activities in Sierra Leone. I believe in total security for every citizen of Sierra Leone. I would've invested more in the security of the State,than to give only one riffle to four soldiers at a border post of Zimmi or Koiendu.
I told you before that this history that Taylor has created will never be forgotten.It will be retold to Generations to come and those today. Whatever way you picture it,is up to you. The only interesting part,Ellen is quite a very good Leader for Liberia.When she lives power,Sierra Leoneans will watch to see who is next?!
I don't understand you always try to be insulting to others.We need to respect one another.
I advise you to read your own which I was referring to.I will quote some of the sentences you wrote on that post which caused me to be concerned. (1)" Sierra Leone is standing as Barrolle and Liberia is standing as I.E.At the end of it there will be a winner."
(2) " The war on Sierra Leone by Liberia was like a grocery".
Please go back and tell me whether you didn't write them.If so,why do you insult me for asking you based on what you wrote?
PLEASE UNDERSTAND ONE FACT: LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE ARE NOT IN COURT OVER ANYTHING.IT IS RATHER CHARLES TAYLOR.AND LIBERIA NEVER WAGED ANY WAR ON SIERRA LEONE.TAYLOR AND NPFL ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE SUPPORTED THE REBELS IN SIERRA LEONE.
ONE MORE THING,IT IS WRONG(IMMORAL)TO HAVE SOMEONE CONDEMNED AS CHARGED.IT IS EVERYONE'S HUMAN RIGHT TO JUST TRIAL AND TO BE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
TAYLOR'S CASE IS A VERY IMPORTANT AND SENSITIVE CASE AND SO WE MUST DO OUR BEST NOT TO ALLOW EMOTION TAKE LEAD OUR REASON AND IMPARTIALITY.
GOOD LUCK AND YOU WON'T SEE ME COMMENT ON ANY POSTS OF YOURS,SINCE YOU DON'T GET TIRED OF BEING UNCIVILED.
Emmazoryon, it's very sad to see a good and competent Lawyer on Taylor's Defense Team, to quit this site or my posts. This of your sudden run away mode,implies that your man Taylor will be locked up in Rwanda. Let no one fool you that Taylor will be jailed in Britain. That place is too decent for a man like Taylor.
On my point for saying that,it's Liberia Vs Sierra Leone, leads me to the one time publication of one of your dailies in Liberia in which one of Taylor's local Lawyer-Cllr. Suppuwood said,"it is not Taylor that is on trial,it is the country that is on trial". Which implies to me that Liberians must come together and defend Taylor.
Zoryon,telling you that you don't understand the "Queen's English" is not an abuse. I'm only trying to put you on point,on areas that you're lacking.Would you prefer if I say to you that(ma men you eat the Queen's English bad way?) Well, if you go,then it is "Three Down and no one to go yet".
What is the sensitive part of Taylor's case? I think the most sensitive situation now is not to have your nationals that have the heart and mind like Taylor,who will want to try or attempt to such acts that will send the whole of the Mano River Union Countries, with a tsunami threat. Chao!
See all comments (12).
Nicely said Aki. Some people of Sierra Leone are in self denial. They blame Taylor and even Nigerian troops ,without whose contribution I can confidently say, the guns will still be blazing. Nigeria lost millions,lives,material,morale, all in the effort of being a brother. I have come in contact with some citizens of Sierra Leone who are still very oblivious to the greed, deviousness and ambition that exist in their polity.We wait for it could all happen again