Expert Commentary
Throughout the trial, this page will feature expert commentary and legal analysis on topical issues of the Special Court and the Taylor Trial.
Expert Commentary
- Professor William Schabas on the Special Court’s decision in the AFRC Trial handed down on June 20, 2007
- Professor Michael P. Scharf: No Chaos in This Courtroom!
July 24, 2007 at 3:42 pm
I have been wondering about the charges and the relationship to the Accord that was signed ending the WAR and FORGIVING ALL OF CRIMES agianst the Sierre Leoneans.
I notice that some of the charges fall within the SIGNING DATE…..so why is he been CHARGED for such crimes when the ACCORD granted PASSAGE???
Noko4
December 28, 2007 at 12:55 am
I don’t know what accord you’re talking about, but you said it was directed toward the sieera leoneans not Mr. Taylor , I don’t know but basicly all the people then that did the things got amnesty. They want the bosses . It’s like the American Federal law called the “Ricco Statue” . If we in a gang and u the boss and u tell me to commit some string of crimes and though they caught ME, the Ricco law says that if we belong to a Continuing Criminal Enterprise , or gang for short, and u send the order through me. Then if you are the gang boss you are still responsible, that’s how they brought down the mafia in the States with John Gotti and them, but I ain’t tellin you nothing new. So he(Mr. Taylor) send the order or allowed it to happening on his watch with his support without stopping it. So there you have it. And they have people to testify to this. Aight brother stay cool
January 8, 2008 at 1:42 am
Bryan,
I speak of the ACCORD to ENDED the war in Sierra Leone…..that ACCORD granted ALL and not SOME but ALL that were part of that war, DIRECTLY and INDIRECTLY free pass. It was SIGNED by the Sierra Leonean gov’t and WITNESSED by the int’l community.
My concern is MOST of the charges, the SERIOUS ONES happened during the war years. Now if you SIGNED something…..do you pick and choose which part to carry out????
See for yourself, mainly sec 2 and define the word “SHALL” I beg!!!
PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE AND
THE REVOLUTIONARY UNITED FRONT OF SIERRA LEONE
————————————————————————-
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE and
THE REVOLUTIONARY UNITED FRONT OF SIERRA LEONE (RUF/SL)
Having met in Lome, Togo, from the 25 May 1999, to 7 July 1999 under the auspices of the Current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Gnassingbe Eyadema;
Recalling earlier initiatives undertaken by the countries of the sub-region and the International Community, aimed at bringing about a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Sierra Leone, and culminating in the Abidjan Peace Agreement of 30 November, 1996 and the ECOWAS Peace Plan of 23 October, 1997;
ARTICLE IX
PARDON AND AMNESTY
1. In order to bring lasting peace to Sierra Leone, the Government of Sierra Leone shall take appropriate legal steps to grant Corporal Foday Sankoh absolute and free pardon.
2. After the signing of the present Agreement, the Government of Sierra Leone shall also grant absolute and free pardon and reprieve to all combatants and collaborators in respect of anything done by them in pursuit of their objectives, up to the time of the signing of the present Agreement.
3. To consolidate the peace and promote the cause of national reconciliation, the Government of Sierra Leone shall ensure that no official or judicial action is taken against any member of the RUF/SL, ex-AFRC, ex-SLA or CDF in respect of anything done by them in pursuit of their objectives as members of those organisations, since March 1991, up to the time of the signing of the present Agreement. In addition, legislative and other measures necessary to guarantee immunity to former combatants, exiles and other persons, currently outside the country for reasons related to the armed conflict shall be adopted ensuring the full exercise of their civil and political rights, with a view to their reintegration within a framework of full legality.
Noko4
January 8, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I have wondered about this too. I believe that when peacy accords are broken by a party, that party does not recognize the accord. This would mean that they are not protected by any articles including amnesty and pardon.
Kimo
January 8, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Taylor’s place of residence has long since been decided years in advance before his trial. Does that in anyway suggest that he will be guilty?
January 8, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Kimo,
Who BROKE the share of the ACCORD???? According to Mr. Taylor, his relationship with RUF STOPPED after the ACCORD……the WAR had ended, ECOMOG had taken over Sierra Leone…
Sankoh was arrested NOT for starting another WAR but rather for kidnapping UN personels. And what was Mr. Taylor’s role, he HELPED in their release and was THANKED by the int’l community.
So which part of the ACCORD did he break???
Noko4
January 10, 2008 at 8:47 am
CHARLES TAYLOR WAS NEVER A SPONSOR TO SIERRA LEONE AND IF THE WORLD SAY SO THAN WHAT WILL THEY SAY OF LIBERIA WAR ?WHO SPONSOR IT BECAUSE CHARLES TAYLOR PASS THROUGH IVORY COAST TO ENTER LIBERIA 1989…. ELLEN JOHNSON AND OTHER HAD MEETING IN USA TO MAKE SURE PRESIDENT DOOR STEP DOWN THAT IS HOW THEY USED CHARLES TAYLOR……ALL THE NAME THAT IS MENTION IN COURT ARE NOT LIBERIAN NAMES ….. THE LURD REBEL WERE ALL FROM SIERRA LEONE AND GUINEA SO DOES THE UNITED NATION ONLY SEE INTEREST IN SIERRA LEONE PEOPLE DEATH AND DO NOT EVEN TALK ON LIBERIA AND THOSE WHO CUST IT AND SPONSOR IT …… CHARLES TAYLOR MUST BE FREE BECUS IF THEY CONTINUE TO POLL THIS ISSUE MANY TOP WORLD LEADERS WILL BE DISGRACE INTO THIS ISSUE …..WE NEED TO SEE PROVE ON HIM BE SPONSOR AND NOT TO LISTERN TO WAR STORIES EXPLAIN HERE IN COURT.
January 10, 2008 at 10:40 am
Solomon,
I don’t believe Mr. Taylor is on trail for JUSTICE of those Sierra Leone people but rather something BIGGER than we are lead to believe. He will be found GUILTY regardless of what the EVIDENCES show. So far, I don’t see anything CONCRETE and MEANINGFUL that actually LINKS him except HEARSAYS.
As for Liberia get her court, NEVER EVER to be as long as Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf is in power!!!. Look at is going in presently in Liberia. To fool us, TPC is having hearings. This committee was appointed two years ago and went into coma, now she has gotten up to make us believe she has been working.
Guinea was used by LURD to attack Liberia, have you heard anything pertaining to that anywhere in the world. Most of LURD senior members LIVED in the US during those attacks, did you hear of the US voiceing any concerns??? No, it was Mr. Taylor so ALL BETS were off….go figure
Noko4
January 10, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I was in Liberia before the current President won the elections. I heard many many stories about Taylor’s activities from the people off the streets. I was in LIberia this past May in the northern counties that were rebel strongholds. I interviewed many many people. The majority were refugees who fled and started returning to the area. Everyone indicated that both counties were rebel strongholds and it were these groups that invaded Sierra Leone. I will believe what they said.
I also stayed in Kailhoun (Sierra Leone, along the LIberia border) for five months at the end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006. Many former rebels continue to live in the area. I heard a lot of stories of how the Liberian rebels came over the border and took over the area (it was the last area for the UN peacekeepers to come). I heard many stories about what the LIberians did, what the Sierra Leon rebels and government soliders did. It was all bad.
The government holds former rebels in their Freetown prison. They are waiting for trial on charges from when they were rebels. I never did understand why they had to stand trial and others did not. If anyone knows, please explain.
I never met anyone in Sierra Leone who was not happy about Charles Taylor going to trial. I believe them when they say he was behind the escalation of their civil war and that it was about the diamonds. I would believe them over any politician, government official, UN employee, or a member from the international community. I’m glad he is on trial.
I wish some of the rebel leaders were brought to trial. However, several held U.S. citizenship. The American government said no U.S. citizen could be prosecuted for war crimes. In order to make sure other citizens would not be prosecuted, the American government had to be allow the rebels to walk. Disgraceful. Not one of our best moments.
Mary
January 10, 2008 at 3:28 pm
The trial of Mr. Taylor is a farce and we all know it. He will be found guilty and sent to jail in Britain. This is a ploy by the White folks create another mechanism of control for the African continent. Look at Liberia today, we are a virtual colony of the US and already the failed government of UP is trumping up charges of treason against oppositions.
January 10, 2008 at 4:58 pm
One good thing I know is that Africans will always lose brillant heros because they are easily carried away. Mr. Taylor will never be set free even if the court cannot find any link between Him and the witnesses. Instead of been innocent until proven guilty he’s already guilty.
January 10, 2008 at 5:00 pm
We are all happy for Mr. Taylor to answer to what he did but let me also remind the international community every Liberian is closely following the trial. We therefore urge them to conduct this trial in a fair manner so that we all will be convince about what Mr. Taylor actually did otherwise, there may be a propensity for a new war in our country by the loyalist and children of this man when UNMIL shall have left Liberia in the near future
January 10, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Noko4
TAYLOR WILL NOT BE FOUND GUILTY JUST IF THE SO CALL JUDGE GIVE HIS RULE IN A FAIR WAY BECAUSE WE ALL ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT BRINKING PEACE IN THE WESTERN AFRICAN REGION AND NOT TO FIND MORE PROBLEMS.
CHARLES TAYLOR SIGN A PEACE AGREEMENT BEFORE GOING TO NIGERIA I WANT BUSH TO KNOW THAT IF TAYLOR HAD NOT GONE TO NIGERIA DONT HE THINK THAT LIBERIA COULD BE A GHOST TOWN OR COUNTRY BY NOW.
WHY MUST TAYLOR FACE JUDGEMENT FOR SIERRA LEONE AND OTHER PEOPLE SIT A TALK LIKE THEY ARE FOOLS DONT THEY KNOW THAT LIBERIA IS PART OF THE MANO RIVER UNION AND LOFA AND BOMI COUNTY IN LIBERIA IS SITUATED NEAR THIS RIVER .DIAMOND IN THAT RIVER BELONGS ALSO TO LIBERIA AND IT IS NATURAL RESOUSES FOR ALL MANO RIVER COUNTRIES AND NOT ONLY SIERRA LEONE.
UNITED KNIGDON SHOULD NOW BE THINKING OF SOMETHING ELSE INSTEAD OF PLANING TO JAIL TAYLOR IF THEY THINK HE HAVE DIAMOND THAT THEY WILL KILL HIM FOR THAN THEY ARE FOOLING THEM SELFS.
HE WILL BE SET FREE IF JUSTICE PREVILLS
January 10, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I THINK EVERY GOOD COURT MUST ALLOW AND ACCEPT A FIRST CLASS PROVE THAT TAYLOR WAS A SURPORTER TO SIERRA LEONE PROBLEM THAN SITTING IN THE COURT AND LISTERN TO STORIES OF WHO WENT TO TAYLOR HOUSE OR WHAT EVER ……………… THE US GOVERNMENT ALWAYS PRETENT TO LOVE LIBERIA BUT THEY ARE ONLY SEEKING THEIR OWN INTEREST THAT IS WHILE THEY SIDE LINE LIBERIA CONSTATUTION AND PLACE ELLEN AS PRESIDENT SO THEY CAN POOL HER BY THE NOSE HENCE SHE IS AN AMERICAN AND NOT EVEN A REAL LIBERIA AS HER NATIONALITY WAS CHANGE SOME YEARS BACK………GOD WILL SEE THEM ALL ONE DAY AND THEY WILL FALL AND THEIR DISGRACE WILL BE BROUGHT TO LIGHT THOSE BABALON FOOLS
January 12, 2008 at 5:32 am
Your right yah. This thing is not small thing. What’s wrong with these people? so that’s why they took this man there all based on heresay? Look at that Smiley man how he claim to be an expert even though he knows nothing about diamonds. if Taylor is on trial for supposedly supporting RUF what about Sierra Leone and Guinea who supported ULIMO and LURD? They can do it and get away but yet grab one man?
This court should be ashamed of themselves. What a gross miscarry of justice. The international community is no longer respectable. What a shame. we want justice. It is now time for those socalled human rights groups to talk now. All they want is to justify their fat cat salaries at the expense of poor africans. We are watching yah and we are not stupid. African are wiser than they think.
January 12, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I think that the prosecution’s case has already fallen apart. Their key “insider witness” is a crazy man? Maybe if the prosecution had taken time off to learn who their witness was they would have found out that he was mentally insane but instead they just wanted someone, even a mentally retarded person, to show some link. I am already sorry for the prosecution. I suggest they start re-evaluating their other witnesses ASAP. There would be more shockers to come.
The internationl news media are all ashamed now and are hiding in the sand, still trying to print stories that don’t fit what is going on in the court room. We Liberians are not stupid. We are following this case day by day. I can see the international news biased journalists, especially Mark Doyle of BBC eating his words in a very big plate.
Let justice be done to all men even if they don’t deserve it. That’s what justice is about.
January 13, 2008 at 2:26 am
Are we not seeing the truth in this case.belguim bought the diamonds,holland bought the timber and uk gives ulimo arm and aminations to invade liberia by means of sierra leone and guinea.and the case of mr.taylor being trail in holland.and if found guilty be sentence in the uk.are you peolple not tired of making fun of africans.International criminal court we are watching you people with big eagle eye this case ot mr.taylor will make the world to know if this court shall exist or not.Peolple are already losing respect for this court after the death of the former president of yugoslavia.not for getting america free mr.taylor from prison to remove Doe cuz,the never had control over him any more.just how they made saddam and osama bin liden.who are we going to believe.
January 13, 2008 at 11:51 am
Concerning the testimony of Vamuyan Sherrif. He mentions nothing about Sam Bockarie having a jar full of diamonds in his witness statements to the prosecution office. When he gets to the court he mentions it. For this reason I feel he has already lost all credibility.
January 14, 2008 at 3:49 am
Aki,
He says his brain is NOT like a computer…..WHAT A DISGRACE. He claimed he saw Sam killed FIVE PERSONS, but then he heard Sam had just left the SAME AREA before he got there….WHAT A SHAME. This fool does not even know what is a ROAD MAP and he called himself a MILITARY PERSONEL???? He is HELPING Mr. Taylor more than he is thinking, but will the COURT play JUSTICE or EMOTION is the question. I have said it and will again, IF FAIRNESS IS APPLY….Mr. Taylor walks!!!
One thing that is beyond believeing is that the court amended her doctrine to allow HEARSAY….we are talking about an int’l court and HEARSAY is her STRONGEST EVIDENCE???? WOOOOW!!!
Noko4
January 14, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Noko4,
the trial of mr. taylaor is a mockery justice and is intended to hurt the hearts of liberians. why can’t they call for war crime for liberia, because ellen johnson will also be indicted. SHAME on america. WOOO UNTO YOU SHERIF (MR. LIAR).
January 14, 2008 at 4:41 pm
what you people don’t understand that Sheriff coached into what he’s saying. I too was approched to stand as a witness against Taylor. In exchange I WAS GOING TO BE GRANTED POLITICAL ASSYLUM IN EUROPE.
My stories and experience in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea made me a perfect candidate. I decline because I knew what they were up to. I speak krio well and understand temne fluently but you won’t believe I am Liberan…. I am doing a book titled what lies beneath(an insight to past and present Liberian Politics) Liberia will always be used as an object of experiment. Read your history well and you will know whereof I speak
January 14, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Diamond Diamond Diamond. I went to Sierra Leone hoping to see street paved with Diamond instead I saw a Country with people Living in abject poverty. The Sierra Leoneans are desperately wicked. before the warin 1980s people limbs were hacked off so whay are they yelling pretending. A lady restarted the chopping during the war. She was a commander in Port Loko district.
January 15, 2008 at 1:23 am
Lee,
A BLACK EYE on JUSTICE. A witness, who the prosecutor claimed, was “AN INSIDER” is testifying like was A HOUSEBOY!!! I hope the defense brings him back for more CROSSING. Statements don’t add up, can remember that but not this, and he was in charge of Mr. Taylor operation detail????
Did you hear him say, he made fool of himself in court….A SERIOUS WITNESS.
I REST MY CASE YOUR HONOR.
Noko4
January 17, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Taylor wasn’t charged 4 nething in Liberia and Hitler wasn’t charged 4 nething in germany still they’re international terrorsist. With an utter disregard for human life. Mr. Taylor will face justice. The mandate of the court says that any promise of amnesty doesn’t stop prosecution if you read the scsl mandate.
January 19, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Bryan,
I will agree with such sentiment but Kabba, who one of the Commanders of the various groups, is walking FREELY in Sierra Leone….his deputy is locked up for taking ORDERS from Kabba….is this the kind of JUSTICE you’re preaching about??? PICK and CHOOSE????
Noko4
January 19, 2008 at 8:10 pm
How sad it is that only the losers and never the winners in a war are being prosecuted.
America, UK, Netherlands which are the main supporters (operational and financiale wise) of the SCSL have not even excused themselfs for what they have done in respectively Vietnam, India and Indonesia. This is very hypocrite.
Not that I’am saing that this should be a reason not to prosecute warcriminels. In fact every suspected warcriminal (and state) should be.
This however has to be done in a fair way. What I can see sofar is that the OTP (office of the prosecution) has prepared during several years there case against Taylor by paying high amounts of money, giving witnesses a new life in America and Europe, sending out witnesses to get other wittnesses supporting there case (once again money is being paid), preparing the wittnesses several times on different occaisons, bringing in bullshit reports from Global Wittness (financed by the Netherlands) without researching the credibilety and last but not least leaving out the role of America, UK and ECOMOG, who were delivering weapons rebelgroups directing them to fight against Taylor. Ofcourse this is because the OTP is an pro-American oriented prosecution anti Taylor. This worries may because therefore it looks to many like a political anti Taylor move.
However the SCSL procedings sofar are showing in a transparant way all of above and therefore should continue. I hope the public will see it to.
We have to wait how the judges will weigh this evidence and way of researching and presenting a case.
In my view the none-expert witnesses brought in so far are not credible (any more) because of the way there statements are obtained and should be disregarded by the court. These are people which will do anything for money.
The socalled expert witness Smille is a big joke. There are no credible studies of how much diamants could be mined (by hand and not machines)! All diamantmining was done illegaly and out of sight of any neutrale and objective person.
The expert witness Ellis should be taken seriously in my view, but also he has a lot from pressreports and we all know how journalist are working these days. Mainly by copying stories from others without checking them sitting in there offices in Europe or America. I wonder if the defense will call on the writers of the Global wittness reports or the other pressarticles which have been submitted.
January 20, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Christiaan,
You just SUMMARIZED the entire case and frustration we are seeing and hearing about this case. Like you, I’m glad also this case is happening and every blessed day, we learn and hear of the MAJOR PLAYERS behind the stage.
Ellis is CREDIBLE in my book and I strongly believe he HELPED Mr. Taylor more that hurt. As for the rest, the OTP must be wondering and thinking WHY and HOW.
Again, if HEARSAYS are ALL OTP has and got and these judges CONVICT him, that will be the BIGGEST GROSS of ABUSE in the history of mankind.
Noko4
January 26, 2008 at 4:52 am
Well, you can tell that many people are hurt about the so-called trial of Mr. Taylor. This court was called the international Court or special court; a court mandated to give justice, now this court has become a kangaroo court because it is hiding people who call themselves witnesses! Well, let me make it very clear here, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Taylor is in jail because people in high places want him to be there, you can agree with me that Taylor was indicted for war crimes, and this court should have had all documents to prove this claim, but I am baffled to know that at this point they have not given us any substantial proof to convince anybody whatsoever about their claims; instead, they are using lunatics, money doublers, and murderer s to bear false witness. I am sorry for those judges who sit and waste their time hearing horrific self created stories from those zombies. It is rather repugnant to see this happen on international media. Shame on you all who sit and dream that Taylor will be convicted, if this is you proof you had against the man, you are all liars and as Taylor would describe you: cockroaches and rats. May your road be long!
And to you who persecute your brothers for the sake of money, go ahead, your conscience will hunt you day in and day out; remember that this case is being watched by the world, I mean a world where people envisage justice, not malice and hatred for your fellowman. Why do you hate Taylor so much? Is it because that he comes to your court well dressed and flamboyant while you guys wear wigs and look so much shabbily attired? Or is it because someone promised that you will take up some of those fabulous counterfeited United Nations job? You will surely have your day soon, for the world is watching and watching you so that your evil thoughts will not materialized. We now believe Mr. Taylor, when he said many years ago that nobody has any truth that he did all that you have alleged. You are wicked and you have made the enemies of Taylor to even love him better. Those that hated Taylor now know that he was portrayed evil because you all, who this conflict did not affect, jumped into it for the sake of enriching yourselves. Shame on you!
January 26, 2008 at 7:05 am
WHY DO WE AFRICAN PUT SO MUST TRUST IN AMERICA? AMERICA IS A DIRTY COUNTRY, THAT PLAY DIRTY GAME WITH AFRICAN, THEY DON’T EVEN CARE FOR THE BLACK AMERICA LIVING HEAR IN AMERICA, WHAT MAKE AFRICAN THING THEY CARE ABOUT US, AMERICAN WILL ALWAY FIND STUID MAN WHO ARE POWER HUNGRY AND WILLING TO KILL HIS OWN PEOPLE,THEY USED EM AND GET RID OF THEM, ELLEN JOHNSON IS STUID, THE SAME MAN THEY USE TO KILL DOE AND THE REST OF THEM, THEY GOT THEM WORKING WITH HER, I HOPE SHE DON’T SALE LIBERIA TO AMERICA BECOUSE SHE SINGING TOO MUCH DEAL,I’M NOT GOING TO POINT ANY FINGER BERCOUSE LOTS OF THOE WHO KILL AND USE OUR KIDS FOR THER OWN GOOD ARE WALKING AROUND FREE, AMERICA WILL NEVER STOP EXPLOITED AFRICA AS LONG WE ARE NOT UNITED. TAYLOR WAS ONE OF THE POWER HUNGRY ONE THEY USED, NOW HE NO USE FOR THEM ANYMORE SO THEY PUTING HIM ALWAY, NOW THEY USEDING ELLEN JOHNSON
January 27, 2008 at 11:57 am
Bangura,
Isn’t it SAD. We were told “CREDIBLE EVIDENCES” and what do we get??? A sector of Liberians who fought against him….some who cannot even remember their children names and age. One even told the court what is WRITTEN IN THE RECORD are NOT his words..WOW!!! But “HEARSAY” still rules the day.
This case is NOT about those VICTIMS from the war, something DEEPER is the reason and slowly the defense counsel is spelling it out. I pray and hope Mr. Taylor takes the stand and tells the world the TRUE REASON why he’s on trail.
Noko4
January 27, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Jay Pro,
Like we heard in the war…”RAT TRAP IS NOT FOR RAT ALONE…IT CATCHES OTHER THINGS TOO”
Noko4
February 3, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I don’t think anyone can say that greed is not a part of politics whether in an African country, Europe or America. I think the reason Taylor is on trial is to make an example of someone (anyone) who can be remotely linked to financing violence through the diamond trade. Did Taylor do this? Despite what everyone thinks or think they know about Taylor, the history books will paint him as a player in the illegal movement of diamonds to support a campaign of terror that links Sierra Leone and Liberia (with the help of the international community).
I also strongly believe that the UN as well as other “charitable” organizations have over-stayed their welcome in Liberia. I justed recently returned from Liberia and I see a people that are ready to stand on their own. These organizations are profiting from the scars that war has placed on this country. I also believe that Europe and America need to stay out of Africa altogether. African nations have survived on their own for thousands of years without their help.
All this comes down to power and greed. Charles Taylor will die in prison, I think the international community will make sure of that. He is being poisoned slowly to ensure this, have no illusions about his freedom even if you believe he is innocent of all claims against him.
There are too many that roam free that are evil and the world will never be rid of them. I pray for Liberia and all African nations that someday peace will come because they deserve it most. I think we all need to look past Taylor and try to fix what is still wrong in West Africa.
February 4, 2008 at 1:43 am
Kimo
It is a good thing to try to fix africa but where do we start? Isn’t this a good place to begin? Do we sit by and allow the socalled international community to blatantly miscarry justice and say ‘let’s look past Taylor?’ Isn’t this the time for us to speak out? Passiveness and socalled ‘looking beyond Taylor’ is exactly what they hope we will do so that they can establish legal precedence.
Look if the man is guilty then he should face the full weight of the law; but for God’s sake do not think we are all idiots who will sit around and look on while they make complete fools of us in the guise of looking for a scapegoat. It is time that we Africans begin to make our voices heard.
Today it is Taylor who will it be next? There is always a begining of a process which establishes that process as acceptable. How many others will be handcuffed and dragged off to some prison on trumped up charges because they stepped on someone in authority in the international community’s toe.
A wise man once said that ‘if we remain silent while oppression is carried out, we shouldn’t be surprised when we fall victims ourselves’. Think about it Kimo.
Do we sit by awaiting our turn or do we speak out and make our voices heard? Had Dr. Martin Luther King and many other great men and women sat by and passively submitted to slavery, we would probably still have black people using seperate toilets and eating in seperate restaurants.
I refuse to sit by and let this debacle of a trial go on without making my views heard. I think you should do the same.
This is the only way we can move forward and right some of the wrongs and thereby helping to better Liberia and Africa.
February 4, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Helen,
I admire your strength and courage. Have we all been misled regarding Mr. Taylor? Is he not responsible for instituting terror throughout the region. I realize there are many that are guilty of wrong-doings all over Africa, but do not make the mistake thinking Liberia or Sierra Leone are the only countries in Africa that have suffered by the hand of regimes like that of Taylor. He may have done some good for Liberia but he must answer for any war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is easy to argue a point from a distance but where are the voices now? Who is standing up for Liberia? I think the UN, UNICEF, and other organizations are the ones that think Liberians are not smart and are easy victims. I think the atrocities lie in the fact that these organizations are getting rich while Liberians suffer. While Taylor’s fate may or may not be a foregone conclusion, nobody in Liberia seems to mind being taken advantage of by international organizations planted firmly in the government.
February 20, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Kimo,
I agree with you but does that make it right? Look at the trend of socalled international intervention in Africa, how many times do they leave the countries better off. In most instances they are said to be better off on paper and using parameters set out by these same organisations. How many times are there tantemount benefits for the people. In most cases our resources are tied up to long contacts with companies those who woek for those organisations either have shares in or their masters own.
Pity!!!!
February 21, 2008 at 12:34 am
Helen,
These “organizations” (whether non-profit or not) are in Liberia to make money off those who suffer. Believe me, UNICEF wants children to starve all over the world so donations keep coming in. They don’t want to fix anything because they would be out of a job. It is a shame and until the people speak out against it and the government does something about it then it will never stop. Unfortunately, some government officials are well paid for their roles in all this.
March 11, 2008 at 2:32 am
hi mr taylor´s boys and girls. i have spent my precious time going through your comments. unfortunatly i could understand why some people are still blaming the west of misconduct and bais.but as far as i´m concern some of the blames we´re making to the west is ourselves problems..
here´s some of you guys, most living in the US and Europe pointing fingers at the West for a very positive justice system for the victive of mr taylor, while forgetting the slogan of post 1997 election ” you kill my ma and my pa, i will still vote for you”. was this words introduced by the WEST? or where they Liberian citizen´s words? I could remind you guys that people never voted for mr Taylor because they loved him as a leader for Liberia but voted him because they were tired of wars, killings. Mr taylor is a war crime criminal and for God´s sake.have you guys forgetten his days talking to the BBC and other media about his plans for Sierra Leone, how the people of Sierra Leone are gonna taste the bitterness of war, not just because of ECOMOG HQ in Freetown but because Freetown refused to give him greenlight to pass his war machinary throught the Mano River into Liberia which would have been a shorter distant unto Monrovia? if you are really a child of Africa and love Africa as you´re clame to be, i think you guys have to stop making noice over the world web.We know some of you guys much more than you think we know you! if you think you succeded in flying Liberia when your boss was going for exile, remember there are some infant below a year old who were amputated for reason just know by such wicked person. wake up brethren! we are now living in the 21 centure where no one is above the law or have a hidden place to hide after such horrifying crimes. Let give justice a time, some never have such under Mr taylor´s regime !!
April 4, 2008 at 1:35 am
Justice,
No we have not forgotten the socalled BBC interview; however did you understand the context within which the interview was given? Here was the Sierra Leonean government financing and arming the ULIMO faction that was attacking the then NPFL in Liberia despite constant calls for then to desist from this unneighborly act. This interview was a means of acting as a deterrent to the leadership of that government.
This did not necessarily mean that Taylor had an intention of starting the war himself. Come on now, even if it was a warning, at least a warning was given. How about the Momoh and Kabbah government? They sure did not give Liberians any warning.
Look there has historically been the constant aggression on Liberian soil by the leadership of Sierra Leone. They constantly intervened in Liberia’s affairs. All of the invasions except for the 1989 one started with Sierra Leone somehow. Sierra Leone even trained Quiwokpa and his men to attack in 1985. Perhaps they got a taste of their own medicine for once. Unfortunately innocent people lost their lives in these processes. The leaders of Sierra Leone need to face up to their part in this whole unfortunate event.
As for the people being tired of war and thus conceeding to vote for Taylor, it is open for debate. They had a choice. No one was in the voting for them in the voting booth that day. Fear or not they made a choice and the international community should have ooperated with the government. In Europe and America, there are different reasons why leaders are voted into power. Bush was voted in because it was believed that he could “vwin the war on terror” and stand up to the terrorist. so why is it any different it was the same issue of fear that led to him getting reelected. Liberia is no different.
April 11, 2008 at 11:53 am
My question is simple ; why is Judge Sebutinde very agressive with the prosecutors and complete opposite to the defence lawyers?
Is this how she justifies a “fair trial” ?
April 11, 2008 at 3:03 pm
you should watch the trail video on the SCSL website , she is a fair judge . The type of evidence they are bring is extensive so regardless of the judge she will have to weigh the evidencee video of the AFRC sentencing you will see that she is nice , but she does what she has to do , they tried to plead with her and she was like , “I hear you but….” She is nice she only gave them years for all those things they did.
May 16, 2008 at 5:47 am
Ok can we all realize that Moses Blah is a puppet. Always has been a puppet, and always will be a puppet. If you look at his staements it’s clear that Taylor kept him seperate from alot of key millitary startigies, and always made sure that there was someone to put him in check. I dont know why he (blah) is acting as if to say he was arrested out of the blue. He should have been bought up on charges of treason, and trying to disable the state. He skeemd with the American government to topple Taylor while he was away at a peace confrence. Blah should not forget about the revolution, and what it stood for at the time. He is not trustworthy of telling the tuth. All those who were in the inner circle of Taylor where never loyal they just put a front up as if they were. AND THOSE WHO KNOW WHO THEY ARE YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF…BY THE WAY IM PREDICTING THE NEXT “INNER” WITNESS IS GOING TO BE GRACE MINOR or MONIE CAPTAN,to name a few
“History will be kind to me”…..CGT
May 16, 2008 at 8:18 pm
WOW! It’s amazing how many Charles Taylor fans there are after he set our country back atleast two decades during his reign. It’s also disgusting how much lack respect all of you Taylor fans have for human life. You all are sitting here pleading for him to be freed when you left your home land ravaged and bankrupt. He claimed the country hand no money but his life style didn’t support his claims. He didn’t not come into power a rich man so where did the money come from. I will only assume and key word is assume, that most of you must have benefited from his reign so you remain loyal. I also believe some of you fear if he’s found guilty some of you are next. Well I hope he is found guilty as well as the rest of you who closed your eyes to the atrocities commited for the sake of fatting your pockets. I thank you all for helping the west achieve their goals of dividing and conquoring or lands. When will we as Africans realize that as long as there is conflict in our regions we will never become an economic force. So my advise to all you so called “REVOLUTIONIST”
May 18, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Monrovia Boi,
If he made so much money. Maybe you can help the Prosecution tell us where it is ? Don’t forger Taylor’s revolution in Liberia was a popular uprising. It only stalled when America decided to stop him from taking power when they were the ones who sent him in the first place. Do not forget history my friend !
May 19, 2008 at 2:52 pm
May God set Taylor free for the world to see how dirty the white,s are. For Moses Blah he is just a big fool all those years he worked for he is not having a cent to show to his children but he turn to be a big begger. For his wife she is a big shame because she called herself a pastor and could not tell your husband to stop such lie. The court never invited Mr Blah he himself ask the court to invite him all because he wanted money and for he and his family to leave Liberia but wo!!!!!! to u and your entire generation.
May 19, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I tell you oh my people. This thing is a big disgrace on Moses Blah. He really made a fool of the Prosecution. They really thought they had it all wrapped up with him but little did they know that it is easier to tell the truth than to lie esoecially when you apparently have memory lapses.
Well let’s see what they have in store next.
May 20, 2008 at 8:46 am
Sierra Leone was involve in liberia 14yrs war what do the court have to say about it .so that means liberia now is an island that no body cares of the people that loose their lifes in our country when lurd rebels were both frm freetown and guinea ……..Shame on the speacial court becos thre are people even worst than taylor and i want them to know that if they can not brink these people to court than they have to set taylor free for the sick of peace in sierra leone and liberia becus we have money enoch to sponsor any war and remember russia and ukrain and other countries are ready to sell the guns to us.
After all he left liberia on an angreement and now the international community could not stand to their words ,,i hope this comment could be read in the court it self cus if a man hurs a rope that rope is going to hur a big bush and everybody will get involve.
May peace rain in these 2 countries if they learn to forgive if not liberia and sierra leone will never be friends as the dead bodies that were place in front of the US embassy in liberia will serve as a prove to what the so call sierra leone people did to liberians…
May 20, 2008 at 11:14 am
Moses Blah is another joke that the prosecution has put on the witness stand. Blah lacks knowledge of Mr. Taylor and the AFRC/RUF. It is a shame not to say a disgrace that Blah will bring hiself down this low to beg for money. We are so poor in Liberia that some of our leaders will do anything to earn money. Taylor was requested from Nigeria by the Ellen lead government because Monrovia needed street lights, and now Blah telling lies aganist his former boss, crying in open court to gain favour from the rich. well, lets see what next the prosecution has cus the clock is running off. If there is more Blahs to come, then an African welcom awaints Africa’s strong man who says no to the so called rich nations.
Harris K. Johnson
May 20, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Charles Taylor is the worst President in Liberian history and it pains me to make this observation because I truly hated Doe and thought he should have held that dubious distinction. Taylor is now reaping what he sowed. Blah, ZIZ ZAG, and all these Liberian witnesses are his creation. Most of them are stupid, ignorant, uneducated and disloyal. He refused to put qualified people in his circle and also refused to listen to the few who were in his government. Having said that, this trial is bogus . Taylor is blamed by the west for destabilizing Western Africa and this trial is designed to lock him up to prevent him doing that in the future. It has nothing to do with him committing crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone. It has nothing to do with him stealing diamonds from Sierra Leone. Taylor lost contact with the RUF from 1992 to 1997. Cutting off hands of innocent people occurred between those years when Taylor had no connection with Sierra Leone. With REGARDS TO diamonds, they are considered precious because they are difficult to get. If one could easily find diamonds on the surface soil in Sierra Leone as is being alleged, that country would be so rich by now. Since these two new administrations have taken over Sierra Leone, the country looks poorer if anything. Taylor did support the ruf in 1991 and was in contact with them after 1997. He was stupid to reestablish contact with them and is paying for that stupidity now. I don’t believe he ordered any crimes against humanity against the Sierra Leonean people. Cutting off hands is foreign to Liberia and was not sanctioned by Taylor. Rape, murder, torture occurred in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast and this was practiced by all sides. If Taylor is held responsible for this, then Blasé, Khadafy, BBagboo, Lasanna Conteh, LURD, LPC, Tejan Kabba should also be held. They however will not and Taylor will be found guilty because the West wants it. When one looks at how much money has been spend to bring stability back to the region, one can understand why the West wants Taylor locked up. He is guilty of many things but not for what he is being charged. As a Liberian, it disturbs me a see a President of my country in jail for a crime committed in Sierra Leone for crimes committed by Sierra Leoneans against their own population. This court only has jurisdiction in Sierra Leone but issued an arrest warrant for a sitting Liberian President. He will be found guilty and what lesson will be learnt by this trial? The common or popular answer seems to be that the African dictator had met his match but I think not. This trial will make dictators work harder to stay in power, look what happens when you leave. What it will do is to alert them to be smart, something Taylor was not. This world is a white man’s world, and they will just adjust and play the game better
May 21, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I write to clarify claims made against the poro society. The Poro society that I any many others of the Vai, Mende, Gola, Kpelle, Lorma and Gbandi tribes is a not a blood spilling or human eating organization. This a secret society were young boys graduating to manhood are intiated and trained in the arts of farming, hunting, been a good husband and family man. Moses Blah and Zigzag Marzah are just what most of perceived some members of the Gio tribe to be - seasoned and unprincipled liars. My Poro society is a distingusished organization and the only time one see a little blood is when our backs are marked to distinguish us from non members. Eating humans is culture of the Gios and Krahn according to a oral history told me by my late Grand Uncle. He was appointed commissioner of what use to be the Eastern Region in early 1930s. According to him, he made the Gios and Krahns to start burying their dead - prior to that, they are them. There has been a lot of research done on the poro and Sande (the Sande is the society for women) societies and nobody have ever said that members eat humans. Marzah and Blah have lied to the point that they have indicted themselves and one fine day the poro will come after them no matter where they are. Finally when Zigzag testified, he said the head of the Poro is the Dahkpana and this is why Taylor is refer to by said name. This point out is ignorance and lack of knowledge of the poro structure. The head of the poro is called the DAZOE, the Dahkpana is just a messenger who makes annoucments and ensure order at meetings.
Thank you
May 21, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I think its about time that Liberians petition the UN Security Council set up their own War crimes tribunal and indict Tejan Kabbah, Lasana Conteh, Joseph S Momoh and Laurant Gbagbo to answers to crimes against our people. After all, Sierra Leonean are not better than Liberians.
May 23, 2008 at 10:16 am
Kpokoja,
I think Blah made the case for Liberia to have one but guess what, as long Ellen is alive, ZERO!!!
Look at this case, Tejan Kabbah’s deputies are LOCKED UP in Freetown for following Kabbah’s ORDERS, but Kabbah walks FREELY in Sierra Leone. WHY???
Noko4
July 16, 2008 at 6:27 am
Harris,
Lier, lier !!! You have no Idea, you only support a man because your enjoyment has expire and you want it come back! No more free food for you. liberia is back on track.
July 16, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Yarlee
The smartest thing that an ignorant man can do is to keep quiet.
Bye
ZOBON
July 17, 2008 at 7:46 am
Zobon,
You sound like my last kid. Smart people are opinionistic; meaning they weigh theroy and its hypothesis, not telling some one to keep quiet. This is not Taylor dictatorial administration to be authoritative on your own people for voicing their opinion about issues of concern. This webmaster site was build for us to air our view on the current Taylor trial, but not to follow narrow minded people idea. Some people need to grow-up before posting on this site, like you.
July 17, 2008 at 8:07 am
Zobon,
I suggest that you forget about this guy Yalee. He williams and others are not discussing issues, but individuals. Let us not make this web site another battle front like in the past.
Harris K. Johnson
VP Road, Catholic Junction,
Congo Town, Monrovia-Liberia
July 17, 2008 at 10:15 am
Yarlee
Again you have sounded like a dummy read the caption of this bloc
It says Expert Commentary and not rubbish, if you want to talk then join the conversation the link is on the home page. I hope you can join so i can talk some sense into your head. Remember what i told you that you can read without comprehension you have just manifested it.
BYE
ZOBON