11 November 2009
Nigeria's President at the time Chief Olusegun Obasanjo told him lies and encouraged him to go on a mysterious journey that led to his arrest as he approached this country's border with Chad, former Liberian President Charles Taylor said at The Hague yesterday.
Taylor told the Special Court for Sierra Leone that Obasanjo had earlier assured him he could leave the country freely. "He lied to the world when he said I was escaping, and he knew nothing about it," Taylor said. "Why he lied? I don't know, but as a brother and a friend, I think he ought to speak and tell the truth about it."
The ex-warlord's journey to The Hague began in 2006 when Obasanjo announced that Liberia's new government was free to take their former president into custody, despite assurances of his personal safety given to Taylor when African leaders persuaded him to quit the Liberian presidency in 2003 in order to end a vicious civil war.
Soon after the announcement was made, Taylor suddenly disappeared from his exile abode at Calabar while Obasanjo was on his way to Washington to meet then US president George W Bush. The next day, the Nigerian government announced that Taylor was arrested near the Chad border while trying to escape. The government said he was in disguise and also that sacks of money were found on him.
Taylor said he hopes he would live to look Chief Obasanjo in the face one day and ask him to tell the truth about what happened. Charles Taylor also claimed yesterday that there was a plot involving the UK and the US that led to his indictment. He is accused of backing rebels, who committed widespread atrocities throughout the 1990s in Liberia's neighbour Sierra Leone. He was living in exile in Nigeria in 2006 when US pressure to put him on trial for alleged war crimes increased.
Taylor had been given asylum in Nigeria as part of a deal to end Liberia's civil war, though human rights groups accused him of breaking the terms of the deal by continuing to interfere in Liberian politics.
Yesterday was the final day of his testimony in The Hague. Taylor claimed he was a victim of an intelligence plot involving the British and US governments that supplied weapons to the region in an attempt to topple him - as part of a plan by Washington to gain control of West African oil reserves. The US position was that "we cannot have anyone in Liberia that we don't think is going to dance to our tune", he said.
He also said he was a peace broker and repeated denials that he had supplied arms to Sierra Leone rebels in exchange for blood diamonds.
The prosecution, which will now cross-examine Taylor, says it will challenge the accuracy, truthfulness and completeness of his testimony.
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There is some element of truth in what this guy is saying as it corroborates with what he's being saying and what we know. I not a supporter of Charles Taylor, however his case is a devil you know. Obasanjo is capable of all his claims against him. We've seen US and UK adventure of selfish exploitation all over the world, while they undermine and underdevelop affrica to enable them cart away the wealth of African people. Taylor has indeed exposed their wicked plans and exploit and power control while they chant democrasy. Oh what hypocrits.
This article is making me to laugh beyond repairs. So the game was between Con Artist Naira and Con artist Liberty or J.J. Creole man say "man pass man". Meaning, no matter how smart you're, there is always some one who is smarter that you. Taylor, shouldn't tell us about people lying to him. He's lied morethan he can imagine of telling true in his life.
I'm beginning to feel sorry for Taylor, now.Especially,when he said, "he hopes he would live to look Chief Obasanjo in the face one day and ask him to tell the truth about what happened". Well, Mr. Taylor, if you entrust Chief Obasanjo with the Diamonds that you looted from Sierra Leone or anyone else, that is the end. They'll be rich on your back as you got rich out of Sierra Leone. There'll be no quick return for you to Liberia. Only if you tell the World of the secret underground that you stored your looted capital in,then maybe we can manage to give some to your remaining children in Liberia. Bravo to Chief Olusengon Obasanjo!
All of what Taylor is saying about his decision to go to Nigeria just on August 11 2003 amount to mere blasphemy.
At least those displaced Liberians and foreign nationals who occupied the Graystone Compound,the UNOMIL building,the Wellington Appartment and the Haider Buildings at the Mamba Point can attest that Taylor,his defense minister,Daniel Chea and all of his political stalwarts were completely demoralised by Damate and his advancing LURD forces.There was a time between July and August 2003 especially,when Daniel Chea could not use the Broard Street to come down to Sinkor from the Ducal Hotel at the end of Broad Street.Instead,Chea would use the UN Drive,gets through the Mamba Point Diplomatic enclave,then dribble through the Mamba Point Hotel,the Ambassador Hotel and the old internal affairs building to get to the BTC before getting to Sinkor either by way of the Jallah town intersection or just driving between the executive mansion and the capitol. It was then that Taylor was made to realise that he and his cohorts combined could not repel the troubles of Damate Corneh.Such a moment must have been one that coerced Taylor to leave Liberia for sanctuary elsewhere in Nigeria,thinking that Obasanjo had an artificial heaven to hide him(Taylor).
If Taylor had earlier told leaders at the June 4 2003 meeting in Ghana that he would resign,he had only done so thinking that said vague promise would ease the pressure on him,hence allow him plan further mayhem. Why did Taylor promise to "fight from street to street and from house to house" at the height of battle for control of Monrovia shortly before his departure in 2003?Was it because he wanted to fulfil promise he earlier made at the June 4 peace talks in Ghana?May be he was hopeful of getting more arms and amunition from some sources.
Taylor has indeed been duped.His admirers must know that this "papay"is not any longer as omniscient as earlier concieved.
Where in this acticle that says Taylor Admits Aiding Rebels? This is how you people post lies. Most of you will commit suicide at the end of the trial.
borri, I ask that you read the November 4th,2009 article on this site,with the caption, "Taylor Admits Aiding Rebels". Taylor's tesimony of admitting to the crime,was due to the truth that his Former V.P. Moses Blah revealed to the Special Court for Sierra Leone in the Hague.
Borri, I'm glad you're back on this site. I missed your posts for a long time. I thought you were dead and gone because in Liberia,you're still hunting and killing your own brothers who oppose your crimes and deeds. Take care!
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