New Democrat (Monrovia)

Liberia: TRC Undercharged Me

Mr. Cyril Allen, one of the most faithful generals of the erstwhile rebel National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) has expressed dismay that instead of charging him as "one of those who bear the greatest responsibilities of the Liberian civil war", the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) "undercharged" him.

The TRC report charged Mr. Allen, a staunch ally of Mr. Charles Taylor in his 14-year war efforts in Liberia, as "aiding and abetting the war"--a similar charge levied against former fighters.

But Mr. Allen being interviewed live on Truth FM radio last week, spewed: "I am one of those who bear the greatest responsibilities of the war. They did not even charge me as one of those."

"I was one of the leaders of the NPFL and they simply said aiding and abetting. And I think that it is unfair for you to do that to me and name young generals who were on the field fighting."

"We, who were the leaders of the NPFL...they simply said aiding and abetting," he wondered.

He added: "I think whatever way, they charged me much less. I should have been charged more than what they charged" me.

Despite his admission of being one of those bearing the greatest responsibilities of the Liberian civil war, Mr. Allen expressed support for the setting up of a war crimes tribunal in Liberia. "War crimes court is good for reconciliation...for healing the wounds."

Mr. Allen accused Nimba County Sen. Prince Johnson, a bitter opponent of a war crimes court, of physically slicing the ears of former President Samuel K. Doe after Mr. Johnson's forces captured him.

"He (Sen. Johnson) is the one who they had on video cutting the ears of president Doe. I do not see any reason why there should not be a war crimes court," Mr. Allen said.

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  • dolleyj
    Jul 25 2012, 15:14

    I take this time to expressed my felling about this so cal T.R.C of Liberia finding report. I don’t event know while these so cal Lawyers that fond part of that TRC achieve their education from I don’t event know are their arriver with that their finding report by putting people names on that list. I see that report has fiasco because their have no right to excluded or included anybody on that list for any poinaciment for me I show my name on that so call finding report to be barn for 30 years not service my country in any incapacity without asking me A signals question I don’t know what part do I play in that civil war my name is on that list my comment game from the statement from Cyril Allen that have greatest responsibilities in the civil war was not included on the list only to say aiding abetting what mean? and also man like Amid Julio A professional killer was also name excluded I want this so call TRC members that put people name without doing proper investigation, and if this report dream the country in to any problem, we will how them responsible. We know them. The will be no way for escape.

  • 7base
    Jul 26 2012, 12:03

    Here is one Liberian I can call as sincere and honest.