Court resumes at 3pm.
Prosecutor Shyamala Alagendra continues to examine witness Alimamy Bobson Sesay. Please note that the following is not an actual transcript.
Prosecution begins by clarifying the spelling of the “Sandatendaren”.
Pro: Before we broke, you were telling the Court about a mike found on an operation. The mike was fixed it up and then he resumed communication. You told court the regime was Jalo (sp?). Can you clarify when you said “he fixed it” –who were you referring to?
Wit: I spoke about the radio man. After he fixed the mike, we resumed communication with the other commanders.
Pro: Which other commanders do you speak with?
Wit: He resumed communication with Mosquito, also with Saj Musa, also with Issa Sesay, also with Brigadier Mani.
Pro: Which Mosqiuto are you referring to?
Wit: General Mosquito who was referred to as Sam Bockarie.
Pro: How do you know that the communication resumed?
Wit: After Galo had fixed up the mike, they did monitoring. He called and came to the radio set and at the time Bazzy was present, 552 was there, other military supervisors were all there when communications resumed. When communications started, Gullit started communications with commanders.
Pro: Who is (unclear)?
Wit: He is the runner who was there whenever there was communication. The runner would take communication to the commander. The commander would talk with other commanders.
Pro: How do you know this?
Wit: I was with commander Bomblast, so I knew communication had started. He wanted to talk with Mosquito and other commanders.
Pro: Do you recall who sent the runner?
Wit: Gullit sent the runner to call other commanders and Bomblast.
Pro: Do you recall what happened?
Wit: I left together with Bomblast and others. I went to where the set was. It was not too far away from where we were.
Pro: Did the communication take place?
Wit: Yes, Gullit called on various commanders, names I already mentioned.
Pro: Who was first person Gullit spoke with?
Wit: Gullit spoke to Mosquito and briefed him on the operations and informed him of the Bomsama operation. He told him the extent to which he was leading the operation.
Pro: Apart from the Bomsama operation, did they speak of other operations?
Wit: Gullit made mention of the operations that were underway.
Court: Counsel can you clarify the communication — where does it take place?
Pro: Witness, can you clarify where the communication takes places?
Wit: Russels (sp?).
Pro: When did the communication resume?
Wit: Between July to August in 1998.
Pro: Was there a response from Mosquito?
Wit: Yes indeed, he responded and said he was thinking Gullit had surrendered with the troops. I know that Gullit was on the air and explained himself that he had lost communication and things. He responded that Gullit would get full support of whatever he needed.
Pro: Was there anything else said?
Wit: Mosquito’s response was that he was happy they started communication and whatever communication Gullit needed, he could contact him and he will follow up for him.
Pro: Was there communication after this communication?
Defense Counsel objects to this question being leading and vague. Who is communication with at this time. Court asks Defense Counsel whether he is saying that this is leading as to implying there was another communication? Defense Counsel replies in the affirmative.
Pro: Witness just said that the communication had resumed. He named four commanders, and this is one. He will move on to another communication.
Court: This implies that there were some. It terms of vague, there is no indication of time or any reference in the question.
Pro: Witness, you testified that when communication resumed in Russels with other commanders, that there was communication with Saj Musa. When did that take place?
Defense: I only recall the witness referring to communication with Sam Bockarie; not with this commander.
Pro: We have dealt with the first name, Mosquito. Now we are moving to the next name that the witness mentioned.
Pro: Witness, you spoke of communication with Saj Musa. How do you know that these communications took place?
Wit: Well, on this particular day, when Gullit called commanders, he also spoke with Saj Musa.
Pro: Was this the same day as the previous communication?
Wit: Yes, he also spoke to Saj Musa on the same day.
Pro: Do you recall what the communication was about?
Wit: We spoke about the developments because he said since they thought Gullit has surrendered. Gullit said no. The communication had ended because the radio man had ran away. He also indicated that there were some attacks and he spoke of the attack in Bansama.
Pro: Witness, you said he felt he had surrendered — can you be more clear who you are referring to?
Wit: Gullit said that to Saj Musa. Gullit and the troops that he led — he said they had surrendered and this was not the way it had happened. They had only lost the communication man.
Pro: Who said this was not the way it happened?
Wit: He said he was monitoring all the stations, Gullit had taken men from Koindu and they had moved ahead. They had moved ahead.
Pro: Unclear as Prosecution is not speaking into the mike.
Wit: According to the communication, Saj Musa had withdrawn and had moved towards another area — Koinadugu
Pro: Where is this?
Wit: It is a town located ______.
Pro: Is there anything else from the communication that you recall?
Wit: He was trying to brief commanders about where he was at the time.
Pro: you spoke of communication with Issa Sesay — who was communicating with him?
Wit: Also Gullit spoke with Issa Sesay. He also allowed Bomblast to talk with Issa. They were close friends.
Pro: Who were close friends?
Wit: Issa Sesay and Bomblast.
Pro: How long after did the communication with Issa Sessay did this take place?
Wit: After Mosquito had spoken to Gullit, he said there is a brother, Issa. Gullit said Bomblast is here. Then they called Saj Musa and another Brigadier.
Pro: When did this take place?
Wit: When he was based in Koydon (sp?).
Pro: Where was Issa at this time?
Wit: Kalen. He was very close to set used by Mosquito.
Pro: How do you know?
Wit: I know because as Mosquito was speaking, he said Brother Issa was here. Gullit told him Bomblast was around. That allowed them to speak.
Pro: In relation to the communication with Gullit, Mosquito and Issa, when did the next communication take place?
Wit: Just after Gullit spoke to the men. He told the radio man to call Beudu.
Pro: Do you recall the communication between Issa and Gullit?
Wit: Gullit came up and briefed him on the situation with the troops and the extent to which he was.
Pro: What do you mean about the “extent to which he was”?
Wit: He told us of the activities of operation and the radio man escaping.
Pro: What activities are you referring to?
Wit: The activities that were going on up to Russel.
Pro: Can you describe the operation in Karina. Did Gullit brief Issa of this operation?
Defense: I object — Counsel is leading to this question.
Court: This question is leading.
Pro: The question is referring to the operations of the time he left Karena and ended in Russels.
Court: Don’t name the place.
Pro: Witness, do you recall which operations Gullit spoke with Mosquito about?
Wit: He briefed him about operations when left _____ going to Benbenbo (sp?).
Pro: What operation are you referring to?
Wit: The operations at Karina, then Manduha (sp?) and then Benbenbo… also Russels and Bomsamba. He said the troops attacked Bomsamba, a mile area.
Pro: What did he say about Karina?
Wit: He told Mosquito that he attacked Karina.
Pro: What did he say about the attack?
Wit: He said his troops had attacked Karina. He told them he attacked Karina to get out his men from the area.
Pro: When you say he explained exactly what happened, what did he explain?
Wit: He didn’t go into detail. He said I was with the troops that attacked Karina and then went to Russel.
Pro: Do you recall who he was giving the briefing to?
Wit: It was Mosquito first, ____, then also Issa Sesay, then Brigadier Mani, and he mentioned this to Saj Musa.
Pro: Do you recall if he said the same thing to each of them?
Wit: Because it was broadcast on the radio, he didn’t give them details. He just briefed them about areas where the troops were attacked.
Pro: Do you recall which communication took place first?
Wit: Gullit and Mosquito, then his conversation with Issa, then the second one was with Brigadier Mani.
Pro: Do you recall what he briefed them about?
Wit: He briefed them about where the troops were.
Pro: Do you recall the time of the communication — were they together when it took place?
Wit: Brigadier Mani and Saj Musa were not together. They were in the same district at that time.
Pro: Do you recall which one was first?
Wit: Saj Musa then Brigadier Mani.
Pro: Do you recall what did he say?
Wit: He said that he did not surrender and was still with troops and was leading them.
Pro: After the communication, were there any others?
Wit: Yes as far as I can recall, those that were present they also spoke of the radio communication. The radio runner has wanted to talk with them.
Pro: Do you recall when this took place?
Wit: This took some time. When the second communication took place was a while after the first.
Pro: What is the estimated time betweenthe first and second communication?
Wit: It was not more than 2 weeks when second communication took place.
Pro: Who was the second communication with?
Wit: Gullit spoke to Saj Musa and Superman.
Pro: How do you know of the second communication?
Wit: He asked where the set was — the senior commander went when it was time for a communication.
Pro: Were you present?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: Do you recall what it was about?
Wit: Yes. As far as I can recall, Saj Musa told Gullit that the troops were with Superman. They were heading out to capture another area.
Pro: Do you recall who went?
Wit: They went with Superman and _____.
Pro: Did he say anything else?
Wit: He only said they had captured arms and ammunition because Superman came and reinforced him. They had a joint operation, so they were able to destabilize the Guinneans.
Pro: Do you recall how the attack went on Kabala?
Wit: He said they would use tactics like they were going to surrender, now they were going to pretend to surrender to help them capture Kabala.
Pro: Do you recall any other communication after this?
Wit: Well, there was also a communication where Superman spoke to Gullit, Bombe and Bomblast.
Pro: Were you present during the communication between Superman and Gullit?
Wit: Yes, it was during this communication that Superman spoke to confirm what they found.
Pro: What did Superman speak about?
Wit: He came and reinforced Sage (sp?). When they reinforced him, they were able to push forward. At that point, they were headed for Kabala.
Pro: Do you recall who said that?
Wit: Superman. He was talking to Gullit and admonishing him not to relax.
Pro: You stated that he was admonishing him not to relax, can you explain what you meant?
Wit: Well Superman said now that they are pushing towards Kabala, Gullit should not relax and he should push forward to weaken position of the enemy. They would prepare for advance to Freetown.
Pro: Who would prepare for this?
Wit: Superman, Saj Musa, and others — whatever reinforcement they received, they would advance towards Freetown.
Pro: Do you recall what happened next?
Wit: After this communication, Gullit called on the commanders, the military supervisors, and said we are now — troops should advance. Another military operation should be conducted. This time around we need to move the troops to Buitini (sp?).
Pro: Who was to be attacked?
Wit: The troops should go on the attack because he received information and there was a military position there. So we should be organized and go and attack Benti immediately.
Pro: What military position was he talking about?
Wit: He said ECOMOG was based in Benti.
Pro: Where did he get this information?
Wit: He didn’t know where — this was information he gave to us.
Pro: Did you later learn where the information had come from?
Wit: The only thing we learned, he used to get information from the people at the rear.
Pro: When you say he got information from team at the rear, who are you referring to?
Wit: He didn’t disclose that. He just said got information from the rear that this was a strategic location and we should attack.
Pro: What happened after that?
Wit: Well, he called on the various commanders to contribute men from various companies and to preapre for the attack. Gullit had most of the men, including Bazzy, 55 and the military supervisors and the operation and company commanders. He said now, troops would use same tacics Superman and Saj Musa had planned. We too should pretend we are going to surrender. ECOMOG will think we are surrounding. We will then attack. When we get to Benti, we must brun everything to prevent ECOMOG from gettng on the air. If we burn down Benti, they cannot deny that fact.
Pro: Did he say anything else?
Wit: We should not carry civilians to the camp. If we find anything, we should loot.
Pro: What do you mean that we should not carry civilians to the camp?
Wit: He reminded us we couldn’t bring civilians to the camp.
Pro: What would happen to civilians if they came?
Wit: Whoever we don’t capture, they should be executed.
Pro: What happened after this?
Wit: After this, 55 was picked to lead operation?
Pro: Did the operation take place?
Wit: Yes. That day I was with 55. We left for Benti?
Pro: Do you recall the size of group?
Wit: There were about 150 manpower that left for Benti.
Pro: Did you arrive in Benti?
Wit: Yes and we pretended that we were there to surrender. Then we attacked.
Pro: What happened during attack?
Wit: Well, the ECOMOG troops resisted. Later they retreated. They and the civilians left. We were able to capture Benti.
Pro: What do you mean capture Benti?
Wit: We were able to loot and burn some houses?
Pro: Apart from burning the houses, did anything else happen to the houses?
Wit: The other houses — they were headed to Freetown. We wrote this on the walls.
Pro: The writing of NPFL on the walls — what did this mean?
Wit: We wrote this to create fear in the people.
Pro: What does it mean?
Wit: National Patriotic Front of Liberia.
Pro: Why write this on the wall?
Wit: We wanted to create fear for the troops that we were meeting in Freetown.
Pro: Which troops?
Wit: The mixed troops because there were several troops present. We try to create fear in those present and ECOMOG.
Pro: Was the NPFL amongst your group?
Wit: The only thing was Superman and Saj Musa. They said preparations were underway to reinforce us. They joined us later. Those people joined us then.
Pro: Witness you said you wrote NPFL was to create fear in civilians and ECOMOG — why did this create fear?
Wit: Initially, when I joined the armed forces, ECOMOG and others were afraid of NPFL to create fear in people and ECOMOG.
Pro: Why would people be afraid?
Wit: Well initially when I was fighting with Sierra Leone army, the way they would kill would make you afriad. You moved away.
Pro: They way who killed?
Wit: NPFL and RUF that were fighting.
Pro: Did anything else happen inthe operation in Benti?
Wit: People ran away, we looted and got military uniforms.
Pro: When you withdrew, where did you go?
Wit: Camp Russels.
Pro: Earlier you said that civilians and SBUs were trained at Camp Russels — do you recall saying this?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: The SBUs trained at Camp Russels, do you recall their age group?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: What was it?
Wit: Most were 8-10-12 years. We had other brave young men who were trained.
Pro: Can you estimate how many were trained?
Wit: Well, I cannot recall. We trained 77 people in Russels — including SBUs — they were more than the men.
Pro: Who did the training?
Wit: We had Junior Sherif, I was there, also Major Ati, and 55 was the commander for the training.
Pro: What kind of training did the SBUs receive?
Wit: In first place, we trained them in tactics, weaponry, and ambushes. We also gave them training in drills.
Pro: You were asked training you underwent when you joined military. You spoke about Figwa training. Do you recall this?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: You said SBUs and civilians went through Figwa as well.
Wit: Yes.
Pro: Was there a difference between Figwa training you underwent and their training?
Wit: It was slightly different, but we were doing this was if they were attacking cities or villages. He gave them this training for attack on Freetown.
Pro: What tactics?
Wit: Firing and manuevering.
Pro: SBUs and cilvians – did they get same training?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: What kind of weapons?
Wit: Most were trained in all weaponry — AK 47, trained them to use it — LAR — light automatic rifle. HMG — heavy machine gun. And there were others.
Pro: How long was their training?
Wit: This was 3 weeks training which we did with them.Pro: What happened after the three week training?
Wit: They were distributed to the companies at Camp Russels?
Pro: What did you use the SBUs for?
Wit: SBUs we use them in fighting — we also use them during ambushes. Also to go on patrols. We also gave them machetes if we didn’t have enough weapons. They would do amputations.
Pro: What patrols did they participate in?
Wit: They would engage in food finding, or other attacks. We would go and enchange with them.
Pro: What do you mean when you said you “would go and engage with them”?
Wit: They were part of the troops and they would go with us on operations.
Pro: What role did the SBUs play in the operations?
Wit: They played an active role — If they saw the commander burning things, they would burn. They would also be selected to amputate the people.
Pro: When the troops remained in Camp Russels until?
Wit: We left Russel about September – October 1998.
Pro: You were talking about the move to Russels — YOu said that Gullit passed an orderthat no civilians could go there. You said no civilians could be within 50 miles. Can you repeat that number — how many miles?
Wit: 15 miles.
Pro: You left between September and October 1998?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: Do you recall why did your troops had to leave Camp Russels?
Wit: While we were based at Camp Russels, later we came up serious bombardment from ECOMOG. We continued to receive bombarment with heavy morats. After which, they raided us and Galo.
Pro: What happened after that?
Wit: Gullit called Major Eddy and said he should go and search for a place to change the location of the camp. Major Eddy went ahead whiel troops prepared to leave. Major Eddy came and told Gullit he found a site towards the Tonkolimba area. Gullit ordered all troops and family members should leave Russels to go to the town found by Major Eddy. Since we did not know name of town, we named in Major Eddytown.
Pro: This place, Major Eddytown — what is the exact location?
Wit: It is between Sanda Magbolontor and Tonkolimba.
Pro: This place — did the name change at some point?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: What did it change to?
Wit: Gullit later changed the name to Colonel Eddytown when Major Eddy was promoted to Colonel.
Pro: Did the troops move to Major Eddytown?
Wit: Yes, I, Bazzy and General Lyon and Bab Bangura stayed behind and made sure all left for Major Eddytown.
Pro: What happened when you left Camp Russels?
Wit: The only thing was that we set Russels on fire and left for Major Eddytown.
Pro: Did anything happen after the troops gathered at Major Eddytown?
Wit: Gullit ensured that he distributed the companies to various villages.
Pro: Do you recall which companies went to which village?
Wit: I can’t recall all — A Company was between Colonel Eddytown and Madina. D Company was led by General Lyon Kanti. B Company was at the headquarters. C Company was at another route.
Pro: Do you recall where the headquarters were?
Wit: Wherever Gullit and Issa and the military supervisors, operation commendaters, etc. were based.
Pro: Did anything else happen in Major Eddytown after the major assignments?
Wit: Yes, in Colonel Eddytown, we received a call from Saj Musa. It was a communication where Gullit called upon Colonel Bombblast and others. Saj Musa wanted to talk with the commanders.
Pro: (Unclear)
Wit: I left with Bomblast and we listened to the request Gullit had made.
Pro: What happened when you arrived at the radio center?
Wit: Later, Gullit called on Sage and told him the commanders were ready. He then discussed with him.
Pro: Were you present when this happened?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: Do you recall what the discussion was about?
Wit: Saj Musa said that they would send some men to our location. They would be led by Major Ofi and the SLA forces. They were coming to support us for attack on Freetown.
Pro: Who is Ofi?
Wit: He was a commander who led troops leaving Koinududu and led us in Eddytown.
Pro: Do you know which group he belonged to?
Wit: He was an SLA. He led troops.
Pro: You mentioned “mixed forces” — can you explain the composition?
Wit: Well, because Superman was in there, there was some RUF and some Liberians. They were coming to reinforce us. When Ofi arrived, he explained to Gullit that we couldn’t explain everything via radio. At the time, he just said mixed fighters.
Pro: Do you recall what happened when Ofi arrived?
Wit: Since Ofi was coming to our ground, Eddytown, he would give reports to the commanders that he would meet there. Whoever comes will give a report to the commanders.
Pro: Is there anything else that was said during this conversation?
Wit: He said it was in preparation for the advance on Freetown.
Pro: What, if anything, happened?
Wit: After this communication, Gullit restructured the troops at Eddytown. He said now that reinforcements were coming, the companies should be transformed into battalions. He promoted the commanders from major to colonel.
Pro: Do you recall the names of those promoetd?
Wit: Yes. He promoted Junior Lyon to Major, Colonel Eddy to Lt. Colonel, General Sherif to Major, Captain Atto to Major, Chango Bango was promoted to Major, Captian Roadblock was promoted to Major, Baske (sp?) and Sideu (sp?) to Major, Captain Chas to Major, promoted King, a military police commander, to Major; there were a few others as well.
Pro: When you testified on Friday, you told the Court that the Companies A, B, C and D — were later changed to battalions. Do you recall?
Wit: Yes.
Pro: Do you recall when this was?
Wit: It was just after this communication when the call came regarding the reinforcements coming in.
Defense: The witness was discussing promotions and said that Eddy was promoted from colonel to lt. colonel. Is this correct?
Pro: Witness can you clarify?
Wit: That is what happens when someone is promoted, Eddy was promoted.
Pro: You said that the companies were changed to battalions — why did that happened?
Wit: It was as a result of the communication, that reinforcement was coming and it was in relation to that — the company changed to battalions.
Pro: Did anything happen with the rearrangements of the troops?
Wit:Yes. The battilons were formed and they were named 1, 2,3rd, 4 battilns.
Pro: Do you recall the names of the commanders?
Wit: Yes. First was Major Tito, second was Major Bulldoze, third was Major Ati (sp?), fourth was Major Junior Johnson (aka Junior Lyon).
Pro: Did anything happen after this?
Wit: Yes. Later we also receievd another cmmunication that 05 and others were preparing to leave. They used the password “check back, back clear.”
Gulit said he would dispatch troop to collect 05 for when they were coming. He prepared the troops headed by General Sherif to receive 05.
Pro: Do you recall what the communication between them was?
Wit: It took place between Saj Musa and Gullit. Superman also communicated in the second communication. He spoke with Gullit.
Pro: What did Superman say?
Wit: He said that he had sent men and released men coming with 05 and these men were in preparation of advance on Freetown.
Pro: You stated earlier that Gullit responded that he would dispatch troops to collect us. The group would be lead by Junior Sherif. Did a group go for this purpose?
Wit: Yes, the group left and I joined the group that was to meet with 05. On the way going, we arrived in Gbonkobana. It is within the same area.
Pro: Do you recall if anything happened?
Wit: Yes, we faced resistance in Gbonkobana. We fought hard and dislodged them from that town. This delayed the advance to meet 05. After we got those items, we returned to Eddytown to explain what happened to Gullit.
Pro: What happened in Gbokobana?
Wit: We burnt down the entire town.
Pro: Were there civilians present?
Wit: No, they ran away.
Pro: After Gbokobana, did you reach any other place?
Wit: We attmpted to go further, but we decided that we should return. We needed to return and get into communication with 05.
Pro: What happeend when you returned to Eddytown?
Wit: We returned and explained what happened to Gullit. We came with items that had been looted. We explained. Gullit reorganized and gave us a radio. Major King led the troops this time to get in touch with 05.
Pro: Did you arrive?
Wit: Yes. We finally arrived and got in touch with 05.
Pro: What did you hear?
Wit: We were very busy with the radio. On our way going, we had a sokesman who went to declear operation no living thing.
Pro: what is operation no living thing
Wit: Operation Spare No Sole. He declared this to int’l media
Pro: said you were very busy wtih radio, what did you mean?
Wit: This radio communication was important. in jungle, we had radio so we know what was happening. he tooked for this. when we heard announcements, we had the radios.
Pro: busy with the radio — why buys
Wit: we were able to listen to the int’l media. it gave us info to hepl advance.
Pro: who do you know thta is the name of the operation?
Wit: The person interviewing him asked — he said he received order from Bockarie. He said ECOMOG di dnot recognize the fighting forces — AFCR and RUF wanted to be recognized.
Pro: did they say anything else.
Wit: This was the most important thing he said. They didn’t want to recognize the forces, so they wanted the jungle forces to be recognized.
Pro: did you hear anything else?
Wit: no — after this we advanced. we got in touch with 05.
Pro: did you reach 05?
Wit: yes, we gave them our passowrd. we met with them then thru the passowrd.
Pro: repeat passowrd
Wit:check back back clear
Pro: what password did they say?
With: we said it they said it back
Pro:
Wit: when we met with 05, they had some sbus and some gentlement taht came with them. They mentioned what had heard what happened in Kamaloo — they did this
I saw the civilians he had captured.’
Pro: you said this was the secod annoucment over international radio — when was this?
Wit: The government confirmed people were attacked then an dkilled
Pro: you sopke of two int’l radio annoucmenet. when did the annoucement occur?
Wit: This was an annoucement. Someone sent to bbc. This was after operation spare no soul annoucment
Pro: did you hear yourself?
Wit:Yes. we were concerned. when we met with 05, they were discussing teh Kamalo attack. We just confirmed it.
Pro: what did you hear?
Wit: Correspondent said — joint troops, including RUF, had attacked and destoryed vehicles. so, according to the report, all civlians had run from Kamalo.
Pro: when you met with major 05, it was his group involved in attack on Kamalo.
Wit: yes — even the children who were captured, they proved they had been captured in Kamalo. That was the time they brought Father Mario.
Pro: who?
Wit: 05 — he was the catholic priest in Kamalo. Well, Idon’t actually know. He was a white man. I don’t know what country he came from.
Pro: anythign else
Wit: it was kamalo. Mario confirmed he was captured there.
Pro: who was happy about this?
Wit: 05 said he was happy. they were glad for annoucnment. thye wante dto have people to rule over.
Pro: what do you mean epeopel to rule over?
Wit: when teh government doesn’t recognize us, we cannot say we can rule over.
Pro: can you explain?
Wit:Whatever we attack we should kill
Pro: size of group of 05?
Wit: They were about 200 taht came.
Pro: Do you recall the number of fighters?
Wit: They were about 150 well-armed fighters.
Pro: What groups did the fighters belong to?
Wit: Yes. 05 came with RUF, ALF, STF, LIberian guys. Some Liberian fighters.
Pro: What does STF stand for?
Wit: Special Task Force. They joined the army in the bush.
Pro: Do you recall what there nationality was?
Wit: They were Liberians.
Pro: You mentioned that there were former NPFL fighters in 05 — what do you mean?
Wit: This was the national group. They were part of AFL.
Pro: Who is the AFL?
Wit: Armed Forces of LIberia.
Pro: How do you know?
Wit: After we met and taken back to camp, we knew these men.
Pro: Do you recall the names of some of the RUF?
Wit: Yes. One commander –Captain Staga (sp?), some others with names I can’t recall.
Pro: Do you kno who Captain Staga was?
Wit: RUF fighter who had come with the reinforcement.
Pro: Do you recall any other names?
Wit: Well, Foyoh was another person who came with 05. There was Bobby Sherif, _____, also Washington, Dukuloy — Liberian guys among the fighters who came.
Pro: Major 05, did he have any security detail?
Wit: Well, the only time we had security was when he was introduced to Gullit.
Pro: Do you recall the men introduced by 05?
Wit: He introduced Staga, SLAs, STF members, and the former NPFL fighters who joined. They were awaiting for advance of freetown
Pro: How do you know?
Wit: We had a field at Colonel Eddytown. When troops with 05 arrived at the field, the brigade adminsitrator helped us give reports. It was from there, that I knew the people.
Pro: After this, where did you go after meeting up with 05?
Wit: We moved towards Kantia. We established a temporary base to rest.
Pro: Who is we?
Wit: I, Major King, 05 and the troops that had merged together. We rested here.
Pro: Did anything happen in Kantani?
Wit: Yes, Gullit said don’t bring civlians. He took out those that were not strong enough and shot them to death in all of our presence.
Pro: Do you recall anything else happen?
Wit: After this, they said the men would advance to Eddytown?
Pro: You said that there were SBUs. When you say SBUs in that context, what do you mean?
Wit: This was the small boys unit. Some carried weapons, some carried loot and they were all in group.
Pro: Where were SBUs from?
Wit: Most of them, according to 045, had been with them from Koindudu, which is where they were dong there training.
Pro: Do you recall how many?
Wit: I can’t recall. There were many and most of the fighters had many with them.
Pro: Do you recall their ages?
Wit: They were small boys — 8, 9, and 10.
Pro: Do you recall if there were women in the group?
Wit: Yes, my lord. They came with women.
Pro: Where were women from?
Wit: According to them, they were from Koindudu and same captured in Karina.
Prosecution questioned the movement of 05 before the Witness and his unit met up with him.
Pro: Where were you when they 05 explained about people in the group ?
Wit: They were not just distributed. They came directly from the field — including Gullit, the military supervisors, and the operation commander. They called for the commander to come to see 05 when they came.
Pro: Do you recall where you were?
Wit: I was with the brigade. I was standing there with them.
Pro: Do you recall what 05 said about his group?
Wit: He went through the parade drills and reports. He reported to Gullit and he introduced the men he came with. He talked about STF and other Liberians. He said it was Superman who came from Kalon to reinforce them in Koindudu. He said it was in prep to send them to await for the Freetown invasion.
Prosecution said that the next questions will go beyond the time alloted. Court was adjourned until the morning.