Charles Taylor wanted power to empower the Liberian people to develop their country, a defense witness told Special Court for Sierra Leone judges today.
“Charles Taylor wanted power, control his people and to empower them with the authority to develop their country in Liberia,” the witness said today as he testified about the former president’s motivation to wage a rebel war in the West African country of Liberia.
The witness, only identified by pseudonym number DCT-125 started his testimony yesterday. The witness is testifying as a protected witness whose identity cannot be disclosed to the general public. When he started giving his evidence yesterday, the witness’ testimony was heard mostly in private session to the exclusion of the general public. In his testimony today, the witness testified in open session but with voice and image distortion, meaning, no one can identify his face and voice.
The witness described himself as a founding member of the Mataba: that is, the “Libyan Bureau” which provided military and ideological training for revolutionaries from different parts of the world. Testifying about the character of Mr. Taylor, the witness described the former Liberian president as a very secretive person and an “intellectual bourgeois capitalist” — a description which drew a smile from the very attentive Mr. Taylor.
The witness said that like Mr. Taylor, he is a Pan-Africanist who was trained in Libya alongside other revolutionaries from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) and many other countries with an aim of liberating Africans from “neo-colonialism.”
Reading from the Mataba manifesto, the witness told the court that the document called on all revolutionaries around the world to come together and fight against “state sponsored terrorism.”
Mr. Taylor is accused of providing support to the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), a Sierra Leonean rebel group which prosecutors say committed heinous crimes in Sierra Leone such as rape, murder and “terrorizing the civilian population.” Some prosecution witnesses also testified before Special Court for Sierra Leone judges that with Mr. Taylor’s involvement, terrorist operatives from the fundamentalist group Al Qaeda visited Liberia and RUF controlled territories in Sierra Leone. Defense counsel for Mr. Taylor, Courtenay Griffiths, today asked the witness the Mataba’s position on terrorism.
“The Mataba, according to our aim and objectives, is not a terrorist organization. The Mataba is a combination of all revolutionary forces to device strategies to face imperialism and its allies wherever they are,” the witness said.
Prosecutors have alleged that Mr. Taylor met with RUF leader Foday Sankoh at the Mataba in Libya in the mid to late 1980s and that the two men formed a common plan to destabilize the West African sub-region through assistance to each other in their respective wars in Liberian and Sierra Leone. Mr. Taylor has denied these assertions, insisting that he never met Mr. Sankoh in Libya. He has denied providing support to RUF rebels in Sierra Leone.
There will be no hearings on Friday and Monday as the court room will be used for other trials conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Witness DCT-125’s testimony will continue on Tuesday.
Well, Well; Witness DCT-125, an inner circle of taylor terrorist act in West Africa, has just enlightened me about the true meaning of this rediculous and supposedly a panafrican freedom fighters’ true objective: “to distabalize” and replace the Neocolonialists in Africa through any means necessary, and even if that included; sexual slavery, mass murders, extreme cruelty to humanity, extortion by means of intimidation of national wealth, and acendency to power in quest of total distruction of peoples, regardless of International Laws and sufferings of all except those who swore allegience to them (Pan Africanists). Wow! You lowly man..you are dispekable!
Fallah,
With no regret we the Pan African Freedom Fighters will do this again if Neocolonialists ever show up again in Africa. Please remember that freedom does not come on silver platter. It takes(BTS) blood, tears and sweats the world over. Wealth is out of the question, but that is your understanding of the struggle of freedom. Stop worrying because you will hear more as we come in full to present on the spot evidence(s) as part takers in the fight for justice, peace and equality for our people.
Regards
It’s going to be fascinating when the prosecution counsel Mr. Koumjian cross examines defense witness DCT 125. There will be lots of cross fired between both men. Judge Sebutinde will have difficulties keeping order in the court room. DCT -125 is one of the finding fathers of the Mataba. He’s from the school of thought of Marxist-Leninist. His political philosophy; Africa is for the Africans, he is against the hypocrisy of the west. Witness DCT -125 believes Africa has been and continue to be exploit by the west, especially, the US and GB.
Now, this is where the fire work will come into played during cross examination. Prosecution counsel Mr. Koumjian, a white American male asking an African question on his political philosophy, ideology, the Mataba and the manifesto of the Mataba. WOW! That’s heavy stuff. A town bomb waiting to explode.
In his testimony the witness DCT -125 talks about the double standards and hypocrisy of the US. He gives Granada as an example. The US invaded Granada unanimously without the acquiescent of the United Nations, or neither the Security Counsel. There were no action (s) taken against the US by the United Nations for her unlawful act against a feeble State.
In essence, the question asked by Perry Mason and the respond by the witness meant, if the US violated the rules and regulations of the United Nations by invading Granada without punitive, why should President Taylor be charged with violating the United Nations arms embargo, to buy arms in defense of his people?
This witness DCT -125 is very articulate; he speaks intelligibly, eloquent and coherent. The guy knows his stuff. Even though, he testify as been a Marxist, but he exonerated President Taylor of been a Marxist. He described President Taylor as an “intellectual bourgeois”.
To the prosecution this is my advice, instead of Mr. Koumjian during the cross examination, have Mr. Bangura carry the witness. Despite, Mr. Bangura’s inability to cross examine but, it will be African to African and the witness will be more receptive to Mr. Bangura’s than Mr. Koumjian. I wouldn’t be surprised if the prosecution does just that.
Fallah,
Who are those “neocolonalists in Africa” that you talked about? It is interesting that you tell the public.
Jose, You should answer to that question of “who the neocolonialits are..that you think “you pan african freedom fighters” have come to eliminate! I have not read in any History book about 250,000 civilians being murdered by colonial masters in a single African State during colonial period up to 1880s.Besides, colonial masters left railroads, infrastructures,educated african elites, such as N’krumah of Ghana, and Ghandi of India. How many of you that are praising this man earned Doctorate degrees during the 14 years taylor was in power? Name one..except you who probably claims to have achieved so much worth dying for it!
Folks,
Well, I do not buy this idea of employing the most brutal force conceivable and leaving behind a bloody trail to simply empower the people; this is a very twisted rhetoric. That was Doe’s justification for overthrowing Tolbert…and CT’s pretext for staging a rebelling…and Prince Johnson’s reason for forming a splinter…and Kromah’s excuse for establishing ULIMO…and LPC, Bassa Defense Force, LURD, and MODEL. In the end NOBODY GOT EMPOWERED except the power hunger and greedy war barons and coup leaders. Empowerment of the population comes not through the vicious modus operandi that has been most favored by plotters in Liberia; empowerment comes through the rule of law, respect for others, respect for the constitution, education, freedom of speech…you name it.
Peace.
Tracey or Alpha, please post this comment and delete the other.
Of course, Davenport.Noko7 — no problem.
Best
Tracey
Davenport,
I join you in SHOUTING but this is NOT what this trial is about……11 counts of BRUTALITIES against the people of Sierra Leone. Let’s stay focus..
Noko4,
Come on!
I am very focused on the issues as I am reacting to the witness’s testimony that “CT wanted power to empower the Liberian people.” These were HIS words and I reacted to HIS words…reacting to the justifications folks give not to empower others but themselves.
Peace.
Noko7,
As the result of the revolution that President Taylor led in Liberia, I am now feeling empowered. In fact, the 1997 election was a referendum on Taylor and the revolution. And he emerged with over 75% of the total votes cast, thereby declaring him the winner of the presidential election. I am pretty sure, there were other candidates that were appealing to the international community and not the Liberian people, like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and ect, and they were smoked by Taylor and his NPP. So my brother, let’s go back to the fake charges for which this innocent man is on trial. Lets discuss on the 11 counts as it relates to Sierra Leone.
I agree with Noko4 100%. However, I understand where you are coming from. But we can not delve into that, if we do, we may be distracted.
Folks,
The whole idea of Libya being the hub for the training of “revolutionaries” as the witness claims to destabilize mainly west African nations and cause a bloodbath in the region is regrettable and appalling. This is appaling because of the possibility of “sleeper cells” roaming the region for an opportunity to overthrow governments and kill the innocent.
This is very sad no matter what predisposition or lens you approach this trial with. Is Libya directly or indirectly responsible for all the deaths that took place in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory coast, Gambia, etc, or are the trained revolutionaries or demagogues or better “stooges” responsible?
Tracey and Alpha, is it possible that some of these testimonies might lead to further indictments on crimes against humanity? Please do not answer, if this is a sensitive question.
Peace.
Hi Davenoport.Noko7 – at this stage in the Special Court for Sierra Leone’s life, it seems very unlikely that any new indictments will be handed down as the court itself is closing down in Freetown and the only case remaining in full swing is the Taylor trial. However, if a Special Court for Liberia was set up, for example, its investigators and prosecutors may indeed try to look to some of the evidence presented in the Special Court for Sierra Leone to see if there are any relevant leads to the issues that court would be dealing with in Liberia. It is possible that testimony and evidence given in this court may be relevant or contribute to the evidence needed for an indictment in that court.
Best,
Tracey
Davenport,
Simply put….the POWERFULS are afraid of Libya!!!! If Mr. Taylor is held responsible than let’s go after the hands that helped him too.
FAIRNESS is what we are seeking….my foot.
Davenport,
No freedom is gotten without some sort of sacrifice. I hope you realize this. So yes there were things that did indeed go wrong along the way, but did you take a moment to analyse why? Was it not the very west who in so many ways usurped the process of empowering the people by prolonging the civil war in Liberia that should have only lasted for a few months?
Have you forgotten how they played so many games with all the different sides in the conflict including putting one group of Liberians against another, which resulted in only prolonged suffering of the Liberian people? Had they not try to direct the process to suit what they wanted, there would not have been so many unnecessary deaths. They are constantly playing games and fighting surrogate wars in developing countries. Do you not know this?
It used to be the power play in the past, now it is about strategic interest today. The surrogate wars and underhand destabilizing insertion to uprise against anyone who is not their friend or choice for leadership for countries they consider strategically important continues today. The only difference is that they now use new phrases such as “good governance, democracy, rule of law etc” even though they may mean something different to the African, than it means to them. They talk about the power of the people, but do not accept the choices the people make. Democracy in its true sense is when the people choose and control their own destiny. If this is in contrast to their interest, they vilify the process
Do not get me wrong that I do not believe in the power of the people to speak out and the freedom that brings to utilize their own resources for their own benefit. I fully believe in all of this. The question is do they really believe in this for us Africans or do they hide behind these ideological phrases only for their benefit and in their own strategic interest, be it oil, gold. diamonds or other resources that us Africans have plenty of.
There is a fear that they have when pan-Africans rise who are opposed to giving away our resources to them for little or nothing. They hate to see intelligent Africans take the reigns of power whereby the people of Africa would be empowered to take charge of their own destiny. They want to continue to determine our destiny and make us think they are doing us a favour in the process, while they take our resources at the bare minimum prices.
When Taylor started the revolution in Liberia to remove their stooge Doe, it angered them, because they saw this as them losing their grip on things in Liberia. This spiraled the long lasting war which led to the numerous deaths in our beloved country. When despite all the hurdles put in his was, Mr Taylor still won the elections, they had to come up with some other way to subject his people and subjugate his tenure to failure. They employed all means possible to ensure that his reign would be a failure and to get the Liberian people to turn against him. This process is another of the bricks in this convoluted plot.
It is a pity that some of people are too blind to see through their opprobrious schemes. Some of us however, do not so easily fall for this ignominious smoke screen. We see beyond our noses and are able to understand their ways.
Are you saying that people do not have the right to fight for their own emancipation? If that were the case we as black people would still be slaves today and still in a position of being under colonial rule. Sometimes desperate situations require measures. How many times did people not employ the peaceful means to get rid of oppression and not succeed? While I am not a proponent of violence, I do believe that there are times that this might be the only way forward.
The big countries more than anyone understands this. Just you look arround you today. As to whether this is right or not, is open to scrutiny and debate.
Helen, Noko4, 5, and Jose,
All this (Doe’s coup, CT’s war, etc) amounts to a vicious cycle…with self empowerment, rampant corruption, self enrichment being the name of the game…and the masses are left out in the cold. Empowering the masses is a deceptive political rhetoric that folks no longer buy into.
Now, Jose and cousin5 and 5 in particular, the issue of focusing on the eleven counts is obviously not the point. Which ever way the court preceding goes on a particular day, we respond to that. For instance, if a witness says that CT did not use child soldier that, I suppose, forms the hub of our conversation. On the day in question, a witness made the statement that CT persecuted a war to empower Liberians and there is absolutely nothing wrong with bloggers having an intellectual, emotionally controlled conversation on the specifics of that witness’ testimony. Since, the witness is part of the trial itself and his statements might be taken in consideration by the judges during verdict making, such discussion, I will strongly argue, is NOT A DISTRACTION.
I stand corrected here, Tracey and Alpha.
Peace.
Peace
Hi Davenport.Noko7 — I do agree with you. Part of the value and richness of this conversation here is that people do indeed debate the testimony and issues that emerge each day in the courtroom. I do consider it very much to be part of the conversation we want to promote here on the site.
Best,
Tracey
Cousin7,
I understand your frustration in respect to the vicious cycle stated. But by the same token , I disagree with the claim that empowering the masses is a deceptive polical rhetoric. Reason in my view is that, people of any nation in world have to be empowered in order for them to take and know the importance of their destiny. People also have to be empowered so that they know and controll their own socio-economic viability. People need to be empowered so that the rule of law that governs all within the confines of their goegraphical habitat be observed and obeyed. Cousin7 if citizens of a nation are not empowered, how would they know the importance of going to school for the betterment of their future. I think the only instance where empowerment becomes a mere joke is if it is preached and not practiced. I’ll hold my peace for now……
Beg to differ, cousin.
Specificity is the issue here. Globally, empowerment has given some nations the necessary jolt for socio-political, intellectual, religious, and economic advancement but I spoke with limited reference to Liberia, a nation we are most familiar with; a nation since 1978 until 2003 was inundated with a sad, questionable, and illusory political rhetoric called “empowering the masses.” Generally, the ones who got empowered were those who took over the leadership of the country, their families, and cycle of friends, not the masses. No sir, not the masses!! However, our views are polar opposite but it is the fine spirit of dialectic tension and respect for those views that challenge ours. I guess it sometimes depends on which history books we are reading on Liberia…
Peace.
Thank you Tracey.
Peace.
Well said Davenport.Noko7! Can you imagine these sick minds ruling Africa? Now the world will clearly see what those against taylor’s excuses as cheap shots stand against! It is not the currupt man at the center, but the ideology he and his supporters preach daily: “taylor needed arms to fight enbattled ULIMO and etc..” this is all gabage and will only come from insensitive and lowly educated African that wants to prove the theory that Afrcans are savages! How can’t you be called such “names” if all you know is ‘Violence?” And Look at this other gabage of cannibalizing victims and … I got to stop here for someone else to complete…
Dear J Fallah Menjor,
I know and fully understand this trial provokes a lot of understandable emotions. And you did not break our rules for this site with your comments.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to encourage readers to try to keep their comments focussed on the issues emerging from the trial, and not on other readers. Even when they are not directed personally and individually, it may create a distraction in the conversation away from the key issues that we want to discuss here: Mr. Taylor’s trial. However, I also recognize that this is not breaking any rules for this site if readers chose to ignore this request.
Best,
Tracey
Tracey,
I hate to do this, but I have to. Fallah, you are not more educated than others on this site. If you can not advance your conviction with civility, I will strongly admonish you to refrain from calling others who don’t see this fake trial like you as a “lowly educated African”. I am warning you. The very next time you do this, I will question your educational and academic status. And you probably won’t like it.
Hi Jose — I also encourage people to focus on the issues arising from the trial and to do so with respect for others on the site. This trial provokes a lot of different and pwoerful emotions in people, which are very understandable, however I do want to use this opportunity to remind all readers that we will not allow personal attacks here. We want a constructive conversation, so let’s stay focussed on the trial, yes?
Best,
Tracey
Jose my bro,
Do not let Fallah get to you. I understand his problem. He is like a dying man grabbing at straw. Unfortunately for them their case is unravelling right befor their very eyes. The ruth is coming out so he is resorting to personal attacks.
Anyone who can not intelligibly discuss the issues without making personal attacks evinces their level of comprehension.
Hi readers,
Just a quick note to say that I know that this trial provokes a lot of emotions in people – but let’s focus on the issues emerging from the trial and not other people. Apart from anything else, it is an easy way to get distracted from our main taks at hand, which is to discuss Mr. Taylor’s trial.
Very best,
Tracey
Folks,
Just to play on the conceptualization of “empowerment” from a different angle – I am here looking at empowerment not from a socio-political or economic angle but from a conversational angle. This website provides us the opportunity to read, listen, and react to CT’s trial. This I believe is “empowerment” – empowering the Liberian masses to daily follow the trial of former president CT and if necessary express their support or disapproval in an ambiance defined by respect, cordiality, decency, and intellectualism. Unfortunately, often, emotions and troubling languages flared up when we find ourselves on polar ends of the conversation.
This website empowers us to share our disagreement or agreement and should we find ourselves on the polar opposite of another’s views, there is absolutely no need for attacks, name calling, and troubling words as many have described here. The fact is that we all can not be “Taylorist” (I am borrowing this term from a blogger), neo-Taylorist, nor can we all be “anti-Taylorist.” It just does not work that way especially when folks are empowered to think and express their views in an acceptable mode based on personal experiences or life’s narrative.
For some of us who do not identified with these three camps (“Taylorist,” neo-Taylorist, and “anti-Taylorist”), but want to dispassionately discuss issues arising from the trial, we receive unwarranted jabs far “below the belt.” I seek absolutely no apology here and do not need one. I think this site has empowered Liberians in ways inconceivable and we are free to chart the course of our conversations along the lines reflective of dialectic tension or friendliness but with respect, decency, intellectualism, and profane-free diction. But anyone is free to disagree with me on this…I am only stating my opinions and request no apology for anyone.
Peace.
Dear Davenport.Noko7,
I am delighted to read that you find this site to be empowering. I do think you and other readers have contributed enormously to the creation of an atmosphere where the issues arising from the trial can be discussed and debated in an interesting, engaging and thoughtful way. The opportunity to hear what people are thinking daily about the trial is unique, and our hope here is that this discussion can contribute in some small way to the larger democratic dialogue going on in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and among the diasporas from both countries, about the the role of international justice efforts and the rule of law in both countries/regions emerging from periods of instability.
Best, and thanks again for sharing your thoughts,
Tracey
Gracias, Tracey.
Peace.
Fallah,
You think that you are the most educated African on this site, but you are not. We have not come to boast of academic achievements that we have to our credit, but to share our views on proceedings in this court. We take serious assertion to your constant and continually reference to us as uneducated people simply because we share opposite views. We have our rights just as you do to say what we think about this trial. You are not Alpha or Tracey to check mark what we have to say on this website as long as we are inline with the rules that govern this public discussion. Lastly, please remember that empty drum makes the loudest noise. No one will ever make noise of how he/she is educated in public places like this, but other will say it on their behalf. In short, please keep your achievement to yourself and allow others to speak their minds. For the Good book says by their fruit we shall know them.
Regards
Harris K Johnson
Taylor wanted power to empower his people, but was this the reality after he got the power?
Justice LIB,
A RESOUNDING YES TO YOUR QUESTION. HOWEVER, WE FEEL EMPOWERED AND WE ARE EMPOWERED AS THE RESULT OF CHARLES G. TAYLOR.
Justice Lib,
Although I may not believe in all the rhetoric of this present witness. In a sense what Taylor got was that the neocolonist did not like him and refused to help the first truly democratically elected president in the history of Liberia. Show me any instances where the United States or Great Britain helped the government and please I am not talking about free bags of rice.
I see now that in order to maintain peace in LIberia and beyond,Taylor,Alhaji Kromah,Prince Johnson,George Boley and all these war lords must be tried and placed behind bars.
Rewarding them with government positions such as happened to Alhaji Kromah and Johnson would only give the rest the wrong signal that Liberia is a country that breeds and habour evil men whose best way out is the use of war.
Vaa Alie Mansaray,
I thought you and Bnker continue to say Taylor alone absence and subsequent imprisonment has made the sub-region stable. How than, can you now say in order to maintain peace in Liberia and beyond, Kromah, Boley, Prince Johnson and all those other warlords should be behind bars? Is President Johnson Sirleaf, Dr. Sawyer, Dr. Fahnbullah, Brownie Samukai, and General Butt Naked included in those that you want behind bars? Bear in mind now, according to the U.N., those that bear the greatest responsibility. Vaa, do you support the Liberian TRC Report? Why or why not?
Ofcourse I immensely favour a thorough observance of all provisions of the TRC report.I think I have been saying that Liberians should indicate to the worlld that as nationals of the foremost independent country in Africa,they should set the brightest examples every African native should follow.In that regard,Liberians should always observe what we call”the law of effect”- one that stipulates that all behaviours with positive consequences must be reinforced by way rewards and those with negative consequences be deterred or entirely curtailed by way of punishment.Why should Taylor alone be punished in this case?But again,it is up to Liberians to decide now to to give their country a face-saving image by punishing those who bore the greatest responsibility for those heinous crimes effected in the country between 1989 and some part of 2003.Rewarding those warlords such as happened to Taylor by electing him president and Johnson and others by making them law makers will see Liberia engulfed in a cycle of viloence that is never likely to break.
But how can Liberian reach this tough decision when those who ordered the committance of such crimes have all been made law amkers and/or other major decision makers in the Liberian political arena?
Vaa, I understand. But why are you not calling Ellen name in your list?
Why are you not listing Brownie Samukai?
How about Sawyer, Fahnbullah, and Butt Naked?
Vaa, lets play this thing fair. Lets grab all of them or forgive all of them. Especially those ones that “bear the greatest responsibility.”
Can this faceless, coward of a witness give ONE example of a Mataba graduate who is a success story? The exportation of their warped ideology has left in its trail, war, poverty, amputated limbs, and untold misery in the countries where it has been implemented.
Gyakabo,
All that you have name, was in existence before Taylor. Show the proof for which this man is in court. By the way, do you know it was the prosecution who displayed witness protection first? NO WAY BUDDY. THIS TRIAL IS ABOUT SIERRA LEONE AND NOT LIBERIA OR IDEALOGY. STILL FOCUS LIKE A LASER BEAM BRO. SHOW US YOUR EVIDENCE.
Gyakabo,
Read the transcript of March 4th. You will see that the current president of Senegal is one of the graduates.
Hi Jose — you submitted a comment on March 6, at 11:31am which was directed to another reader. Unfortunately it does not meet our policy of focussing on the issues, and not on other readers. Can you please reforumate your post and resubmit in line with our policy? I will happily re-post it.
Best,
Tracey
Liberate the people from what, thats what they all say, how can you liberate the people when over 250,000 died in your quest to liberate. The others might agree with this liberation nonsense but not me, go to the rural areas and fool those country people but dont bring your narcism around me.
Thats what they all do, they start in the rural areas where the people are not educated, at the end there is no liberation just a trail of blood, kids with no parents, towns and citeis destroy, infastruture damage. Oh and don’t forget they then blame it on the West and beg the West for money in return to rebuild. How come the war didn’t end when Doe was kill, it didn’t because all they wanted was power.
When we Africans will learn and stop following these power hungry men, only out for their own benefits. To Taylor supporters, did Taylor build any infastruture during his Presidency, was there any new schools, hospital etc build during his time.
John Thompson,
Is Taylor on trial for not developing Liberia? Is he on trial for Liberia now. UNBELIEVABLE.
John Thompson,
He wanted to liberate the people from the oppression of Doe and his cronies who sujected the people to oppression. When Taylor came, we all accepted him overwhelmingly and had there not been all the bottlenecks put in his way hewould have succeeded in his quest.
One thing i can say to you is it is because of Taylor today that some of you have a voice to speak openly. had he not conscientized the liberian people and give them a voice, we would still be speaking under our sleeves. He let us know that we as civilians had the power to rise up against oppressive governments and take the power in our own hands; in other words he did EMPOWERED US.
Before Taylor did you have a voice to speak out without being killed or put in prison? A resounding NO!
DC 125 is making no mistake that there were revolutionaries like Foday Lahai Sankor in the training camp at the Mataba in Libya. He is also right to say the revolutionaries were to bring down regimes to “liberate” the people by giving them untold suffering just as people from Liberia and Sierra Leone and DR Congo and other countries around Africa went through. Tell the court more DC125 so that Mr. Taylor can be convicted as fast as possible.
Eric Zodua,
I don’t know about other countries revolution. But Liberia was the people’s popular uprising. We believed in it. We overwhelmingly voted for President Taylor and his NPP. Too bad boss.
Eric Zodua,
Are you aware that Mr. Stephen Rapp, the second chief prosecution, said there is nothing wrong with rebel war and certainly there is nothing wrong with a deposed government using war to restore itself into power? Nontheless, is Taylor on trial now for for being in Libya/revolution in Liberia? Shame!!! There is no proof about Taylor involvement in Sierra Leone as it relates to the fake charges. Where is the 5 billion dollars? Where are the diamonds? Where in the RUF Command and Control Structure that says Taylor was directly or indirecly in their chain of command? Where are the weapon manufacturing companies in Liberia or other countries with serial numbers or national stock numbers that says Taylor provided these weapons to the RUF/AFRC for the timeframe concerned? How much these alleged weapons cost? Where are the receipts? Are you aware of the RUF’s Salute Report? Did it make mention of Taylor? No!!! However, Taylor is massively annihiliating the prosecution and their false charges right before our eyes in a terribly horrifying way right before our eyes.
Zodua, prove your case for which the prosecution took him to the Hague and what you claimed he did in Sierra Leone and not all your self made distraction.
Eric Zodua,
Can you point out in DCT 125 testimony as of March 4th were it was said that Foday Sankoh was in the Mataba in Libya.
Davenport.noko7
I posted a response to your comment on March 5, 2010 at 1:51 am, @ March 5, 2010 at 12:56 pm (my response).
My logic is not intended to offend no one in any way. I understand people are sensitive but I can’t apologize because people are sensitive nor will I find another way to express my opinion. I have no problem hurting someone’s feelings as long as I do it with the utmost respect.
This DTC-125 witness is spewing heavy stuff here that is complex for the lay mind like us. I am confuse why the defense brought this witness on the stand. If one has to guess, it would be to rebutt the prosecution allegation of Mr. Taylor joint criminal enterprise with Foday Sankoh. This is how I see the Mataba from this witness explanation.
I am now seeing the Mataba like a Univerisity in the United States that allows people from all parts of the world to learn. What students do with their learning after they graduate is left with them. Thus, one could attend a university in America and get to know another African but that does not mean that the University instructed the two to under take a specific task. These students could simply learn theories and concepts.
Now , here is the great question. Is the philosophy of the Mataba the best for Africa’s redemption. It is a difficult to answer given the nature of how Africans have been mistreated. But I cannot in good conscience cast all the negative blame on Europeans for the mistreatment of Africans. Just like the SLeons needs to take responsibility for the hedious crimes they committed against themselves, I think Africans should take responsibility for our own backwardness and mistreatment. There is a common African parable that says,” if your house does not sell you then the street will not buy you.” African sold themselves and surrender their own natural rights due to pure greed, thus they should take responsibility and stop blaming the whiteman.
Charles Taylor cannot be held responsible for the Mataba philosophy and he cannot be held guilty for waging war on his own country, as international law support such a behavior. It is wrong to kill for power but this is the world we live in. SLoens should be held for the terrible behavior against themselves and let Liberia deal with Taylor and all other warlords, including president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
I really can’t understand some people. How can you called yourself a pan-africanist and a revolutionary that is willing to sacrifice your life for a cause but you can’t to the simple thing of making your identity known? This clown will only succeed in deceiving few gullible persons.
As Eric Zodua rightly said it; this fool is going to quickly destroy Taylor’s case. He is creating the impression that all groups training in Libya were revolutionaries and comrades that were willing to help each other.
Jose, people come over here to voice their opinions and you have no right in any shape or form to attack them on their opinions. First of all, before Charles Taylor came to Liberia, some people were doing better, so when you say Taylor empowered the Liberian People, who are you talking about exactly? It will be best if you spoke for yourself on this site and not others, especially when it comes to some sensitive subjects. You might have benefited from Charles Taylor’s Revoluntion, but not everyone, some of us are victims and we have the same right to voice our opinions. The last time, I remembered you questioning me if I was part of the SBU, now you questioning Fallah’s education status, how is that important to u, if i must ask? Do u get extra credit for provoking people or are you just a big bully on this site, that you and only you should always be right and everyone should be wrong? Unlike you, other people here follow this trial for a whole different reasons. Please, you don’t have to be like this to others. We can all express our opinions without been personally attack. By the way if you must know and if it makes you feel better here is the answer to your question few days ago, NO I WASN’T IN THE SBU, I WASN’t EVEN A FIGHTER DURING THE WAR, BUT I STAYED IN LIBERIA (BARNERSVILLE) UNTIL AFTER THE APRIL 6 WAR. AS for the empowerment you speaking about, Taylor did not do anything for me or my family, in fact he did caused me more harms because family members were killed by his soldiers (14 to be exact). Jose, we all come on this site with different stories, but it doesn’t make my story any better or worse than you or the others on here. I have forgive those soldiers longtime ago or else I could’ve fought too, because that was the common reason why most people fought during the war right, “REVENGE”? Anyway, back to our trial, I believe in the Justice System and the law will uphold in this trial. Today is Taylor, tomorrow it will be someone else, but Justice must be serve in this world, nothing goes unpunished remember? Have a good day JOSE 🙂
Dear SK,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your experiences during the war. I am so sorry to hear about your family members, I really am. And I cannot imagine how much strength it takes to forgive the soldiers who killed family and friends that you loved and cared about.
I also want you to know that you or other readers should never feel compelled to have to reveal personal information about yourselves on this site unless you want to. It is really a personal decision whether or not to share your experiences here, regardless of what other readers may ask.
I do want to also re-emphasize your point: this site is intended as a safe pace for people to be able to share their thoughts on the trial without fear of personal attack. The subjects here are, as you rightly point out, often very sensitive. We do need to respect each other’s opinions and thoughts here and not resort to personal attacks on each other. As a group of readers who are part of a conversation together, people may always disagree with others, but we don’t need to be disrespectful.
Best,
Tracey
SK,
I will begin by telling you that you are lying on me. There is no other way to put it. I never said you were a SBU fighter or questioned you about your involvement with the SBU. Go back and check again. And when you do that, bring your evidence and make it public.
Secondly, Fallah is in the habit of calling people all kinds of demeaning and despicable names such as “Lowly Educated African”. It was agaist this back drop that I admonished him to refrain from calling people who don’t see this fake trial like him as lowly educated Africans. And I warned him that the very next time he engages in such a campaign, I “will” quetion his educational and academic status. However, go back and re-read boss.
Thirdly, I said I feel empowered by Taylor and the revolution he led. By the way, the 1997 presidential election which declared President Taylor winner by over 75% of the total votes cast was a referendum on him and the revolution. So if I say he empowered the people, I am also right. That election was the first democratically elected presidential elcetion we had ever had. Remember the slogan “you killed my mom you killed my pap, I will vote for you.” It actually happened. Do you also remember when he came to Monrovia and was residing right opposite the U.S Embassy, during which time thousands of Liberian chanted and sang “we want Tayor”? These are all signs of empowerment. To challenge big countries and vote your conscience against the wishes of big countries are attributes and signs of empowerment.
Fourthly, yes, it is truth that you and I are entitled to our opinions. But what you are not entitled to, is your own facts. So if I call you out on the facts, it is not bullying.
SK, your side is losing the debate big time. And you guys will lose. I can say this with absolute ontological certitude your side will lose.
Al-Solo Nyonteh,
Are you speaking of this response or an earlier response? If an earlier response, where can I find it – “Daily summary March 4.2010.
I do not recall responding to any of your post or asking you for an apology for what you said. I remember responding to or more appropriately being in conversation with Aki who raised the issue of “logic,” not Al-Solo Nyonteh. If the two pseudonyms (Aki and Al-Solo Nyonteh) belong to the same blogger, then please clarify. I will like to dialogue with you, if are specific about what I said and which daily summary has said post. Until then, calm down the private war/dialectic tension.
Peace.
Davenport.noko7
Actually I’m talking about a post that initiated on February , 24 2010 which I posted below:
On March 5, 2010 at 1:51 am, Davenport.noko7 said:
Al-Solo Nyonteh,
Some folks find the words “black sheep” offensive, racist, and stereotypical. Blackness is associated with something negative, bad, or even evil. I take it that you are black. Could you use another word to express your opinion? Many thanks.
Peace
On March 5, 2010 at 12:56 pm, Al-Solo Nyonteh said:
Davenport.noko7
It’s almost a laughing matter how people waste time complaining about the complexity of the english language. I truly fell sorry for the individual’s whom fells offended by the use of the word “black”. I guess when a person is brain washed to believe a word represents their identity, they have to fight to protect what appears to be the misuse of it. My friend our true identity are African or African-descendants, the word black was derive from the attempt to be socially accepted in the American society and the struggle to gain a piece of the American pie. The answer to you question is “I’m a African man whom is black”. The word black is a label it’s not your identity. I know I have a country that identifies me and it’s senseless to be offended from a label used in the english dictionary.
My friend I admire your posts and I think it’s a great injustices to this site that you have deviated off the trail because we had an indifference in logic. I would never call our exchange a “private war”. Simple because no one wins in war, both sides have loses. In our case, we both win because hopefully our exchange brings understanding to our indifference of views.
Al-Solo Nyonteh,
Oh!
Yes, I remember, brother man.
Social categorization – systemic problem – limits on social mobility – nativism…in post modern, post colonial world, perhaps post civil rights Obama USA.
Thanks for the specifics.
will talk with you later.
Peace.
Hi Andrew,
Good to hear from you. I think we hear from you a little less regularly lately, but I always enjoy seeing your name pop up here and seeing what you have to say.
Andrew, you posted a comment at 11:25am on March 6, which I unfortunately can’t publish. Let me explain why.
The current witness in the Taylor trial is testifying under a psuedonym with face and voice distortion, and he is shielded from public view — in fact, when I was in the courtroom last week while he was testifying, the screens are down behind the witness desk, which means that I could not even see the back of him from the public gallery. These are all protective measures to ensure that the public does not know the identity of the person testifying. The reason why the defense team (in this case) ask for such measures, and the judges decide to grant them, is usually because that person may be at serious risk of harm if his or her identity was known. This risk must be serious, as otherwise, the judges like to have as much of the trial as possible in full public view — in part because a public trial is one of the rights of the accused to a fair trial (you can see under Under Article 17(2) of the Special Court’s own statute, it says: “The accused shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing, subject to measures ordered by the Special Court for the protection of victims and witnesses.”)
In the rules that govern the court, the rare nature of protective measures is highlighted in Rule 69(a), which says: “In exceptional circumstances, either of the parties may apply to a Judge of the Trial Chamber or the Trial Chamber to order the non-disclosure of the identity of a victim or witness who may be in danger or at risk, until the Judge or Chamber decides otherwise.”
So when we see that a witness on the stand has protective measures in place, we have to take it very seriously that they may be at risk of harm if people know who that person is. This is why, on this website, we try not to publish anything that may reveal a witness’ identity or guess who that witness is. If we try to guess, we may put that person – or another person — in danger by putting possible names out in the public realm. I do not know the identity of this witness, so I do not know if the person you guessed is right or not, but for now — given the judges are so worried about ensuring that the identity of the person is not exposed in any way — we should not do anything that may undermine the judges’ wishes, even if we don’t mean any harm and it is purely to add another element into our rich conversation here.
The rest of your comment is completely fine, however. If you are able to remove the final sentence, and resubmit, then we can post it.
I appreciate your undertstanding in advance, and will look forward to seeing your revised comment, which I will happily post.
Best,
Tracey
Tracey,
I posted comment earlier today to Al-Solo Nyonteh March 9, 2010 at 1:45 pm post.
Please delete it.
Thanks.
Peace
Hi Davenport.Noko7 — was this the post that you submitted at 6:42pm in response to Al-Solo Nyonteh’s 1:45pm comment? If so, I will delete — but I will hold it in moderation until you confirm in case there is an earlier one.
Best,
Tracey
Ur…Tracey,
Please publish it…and yes, it is what you already described.
Peace.
Oh for sure, Davenport.Noko7 — will publish it now.
Best,
Tracey
Jose, you need to refrain from personal attcks on me because it does you no good neither does it change the mountains of evidents in this case against taylor that seem to get you more restless as things unfold. i told you at the beginning of this trial when you questioned my educational status that i was not interested in that discussion until through your “bully” attitude I began to fire back. I still believe I am right because it’s not very difficult to know a man’s educational level from the manner he argues, accepts others views, or express himself rationally regardless of personal opinion or affiliation to topic in discussion.
Fallah,
Look whose talking about personal attacks. Fallah, I never attacked you personally. Instead, I warned you about your utter condescending remarks of others who don’t see this fake trial as “lowly educated Africans.” And I am not joking. The next time you call people on my side lowly educated African, I will question your edcutional and academic status. And you probably wouldn’t like.
Fallah what mountain of evidence are you talking about against President Taylor? You sound like Teajan Kabbah. You know what? I’ve just remember the mountain of evidence. Do you mean the 5 billion dollars the victims of Sierra Leone will receive from Taylor account? Are you referring to the RUF Salute Report that did not make mention of President Taylor being their leader? Are you talking about Super Model Naomi Campbell friend Mai Farrow say, Super Model say, some mysterious man say, the diamond you received last night, Taylor say, it came from him? Maybe you are talking about the U.N helicopter story. Where two of the prosecution witnesses gave different account of the same trip. One said Arms were on board the helicopter that was transporting Sam Bockarie back to Sierra Leone. Even though he was not on board that helicopter. But the one that was actually on board the helicopter said, there was no arms on board. You probably thinking about the weapon manufacturing company in Liberia that was not making weapons and Taylor took that magic weapons and gave it to the rebel. Too bad Boss. Taylor is winning this thing openly
Hi Jose — I know there is a temptation to respond to comments which some may consider to be inflammatory, but let’s remember the purpose of this site: to share opinions and views on the Taylor trial. May I please ask you: let’s keep cool heads and keep focused on the trial?
Best,
Tracey
Tracey Gurd,
I Agree. And yes ma’am. However, I hope others will do the same.
Aki,
You have a sense of homor. We should believe that the current President of Senegal is a Mateba graduate simply because a faceless and nameless coward say so.
Thanks for making my day.
Davenport.noko7, Jose, Fallah and others, I do have a question for all of you guys. My question is, If election were held in Liberia today with Mr. Taylor name on the ballot, what your think would be the result for that election? Do any of you think Mr. Taylor will lost the elect? If yes, why? If no, why?
Jocone,
To be quite honest with you, if President Taylor was to participate in a presidential election in Liberia Today, It wouldn’t even be close. He will massively defeat Ellen and opposition political parties combined with over 50% of the total votes cast.
Jocone, there will be no second round if it is free and fair by all standards. He will win hands down. He did it before, he will do it again. Especially looking at all the so-call “deliverable” promised the Liberian people and they are yet to personally feel the impact couple with other things, Taylor will surely win. Quite frankly, it might take up two and the half generations before Liberia can probably and finally put Taylor behind us. if the internationa community had not play too much games with the people, by this time, Taylor probably would not have had a long grip on Liberia. But they play too much games and tricks.
First of all, Jacone, it would be impossible for taylor’s name to appear on the ballots in Liberia, because taylor would not be qualified! Taylor is a prisoner, Jacone! The constitution of The Republic of Liberia has no stipulations of criminals names appearing on election ballots! Hope I answered your question, General!
Once again Fallah, I am not a General, so please get it right. You didn’t answer my question. If you should say that the Constitution of Liberia has no stipulations of criminals names appearing on the election ballots, how about your current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Kromah, the former ULIMO leader, the former LURD leader, Mr Corneh…..? They are not criminals as well?
Re-read, Jacone. I said “prisoner”..All the names you gave are not prisoners, Buddy. I think you are a General because you talk a lot about your Army Carrer on this Blog as if you are the only soldier in the world. Keep your career out of this or else it would seem to me as ‘bragging’.
Speaking of empowering the people; I think empowering the people has to do with their representatives since our form of government is base on representation. I think Mr. Taylor empower the liberian people through thier representatives but these representatives wasn’t working in the interest of those who elected them. During Charles Taylor days as president, your goods and shipment won’t stay at the freeport so the fees will increase as it is happening nowaday in Liberia.
The international Community didn’t listen to the Liberian people after they elected Mr. Taylor as President of Liberia, instead, they conspired against his government so it could become a failure. For example, the donor conferrence that should have been held to raise funds for the reconstructions of Liberia were canceled after Mr. Taylor were elected in 1997. It was during Mr. Taylor presidency Liberia got the status of ITC Bank changed in Liberia; I think that’s also empowering the people. The fact is that, Mr. Taylor didn’t get the opportunity to do what he wanted to do for the Liberian people.
Now let’s take for example, during president Tolbert days, a bag of rice cost around $22.00 usd and during Mr. Taylor days as president, rice didn’t cost any where near $30.00 usd. Today a bag of rice cost $60 plus usd. Let’s us not forget about April 14, 1979, the price of rice cost liberians their lives. So empowering the people have a lot of ways to go.
Ok, Let’s say we buy the whole Charles Taylor wanted to empower people. We can explain that away by saying Doe was a murderer, yes that’s true, I believe he was a mad man, yes he may have participated in genocide of the Mano and Gio tribe.
Many people were excited about Taylor coming into power, just as they were in Uganda about Idi Amin coming into power. But because Taylor’s intentions were good and he wanted to empower people does not mean he did that. I can boldly say that the only people that were really “empowered” by Taylor was his family friends and people in his circle. From 1989 to 2003, who can absolutely say that Liberia is better of than it was before, and who can honestly say that the people of Liberia are better off, or the country was developed? Our zoo was destroyed, All the airports destroyed, Many buildings burned down, business and homes looted, LAMCO, burned down, golf courses were all burned down, horse riding clubs looted….I can go on…..Who and what in Liberia was developed, and I’m not asking this question for less than 1% of the population, because 1% of Liberians are not the Liberian people all 3.4 million people or majority of these people represent the Liberian people. HOW DID TAYLOR EMPOWER US TO DEVELOP THE COUNTRY? HOW DID HIS INTENTION MATERIALIZE IN LIBERIA?
Because of the civil war between LPC, NPFL, UNLIMOJ/K INPFL, LURD MODEL, thousands of people are dead, displaced separated from their family, the country is in ruins, unemployment rate is high; I DON’T CARE WHAT anybody on this site says,majority of the Liberian people lives were destroyed, WE WERE NOT EMPOWERED, and OUR COUNTRY WAS DESTROYED.
All we have to do is to look at Liberia before and after, Taylor’s intentions may have been to empower people, but he did the total opposite. People are struggling everyday to rebuild their lives because of evil, cold hearted mad men like Taylor and all the other ignorant rebel leaders; so this witness can talk about Taylor intentions but all that we have to do is look at our lives and the lives of majority of Liberians to see what Taylor’s quest to “empower” Liberians left Liberians.
This witness was a joke. That’s like saying Sekou Konneh or George Boley or Foday Sankoh, or Prince Johnson intended to develop their perspective countries….
This Mr. Top notch Africanist, anti West Mataba trained or whatever trained, he’s suppose to be a smart man right, so you know intention does not equal results! LOOK AT LIBERIA!!! How did Taylor’s intentions materialized in Liberia I ask again?????
I do agree wth part of what you have said but my question to you is, who can rebuilt a country when the Country still at war? Even the great United States of America is finding it difficult to do. Mr. Taylor became president in August of 1997, less than 2years…. fighting started in Liberia and we both know that the international Community was behind the fighting in Liberia so Mr. Taylor government could be a failured and even have him Killed. Since they did not kill him, the next thing was to charge him for crimes in Sierra Leone instead of Liberia, Why? The answer is simple… their foot print was going to show and those they can control were going to face trial as well. I will give you an example, the TRC report: setting people names involved while others wasn’t. Even Dr. Sawyer who order the beating of the late John F. Vambo that led to his ( John Vambo ) death wasn’t mention in the TRC report. Mr. Vambo was reporter for the BBC and he had some informations that he wanted to report but Dr. Sawyer told him not to but he still said he was going to because it was his job. And you know what, his life was taken away because by Dr. Sawyer.
On the issue of Idi Amin of Uganda, today many Ugandain have come to realised that Idi Amin had Uganda at heart. There are thousand of them in Iraq working as security personnels for the US Military and I used talk to them while I was in Iraq from September, 2006 to December 2007 and from Jan. 2009 to December, 2009.
They are pretty much on all the bases the US Military have in Iraq. Since we are African, we do connect very well. Infact, I met many of them who when to Liberia in 1993 to serve along side ECOMOG. Many of them have better mind set for Mr. Taylor now.Since we all agree that Mr. Taylor committed crimes against the Liberia people, prosecuting him for what happened in Sierra Leone was and is a mistake and it is wrong… I am sorry if I did hurt anyone feelings!
Jacone,
Its impossible to rebuild a country when it is at war, but my point is NPFL was a part of that war a huge part and they help greatly to destroy the country, you say the country was at war as if Taylor was not part of the war. The witness stated that Taylor was trying to empower people. How can he empower Liberians when he has a rebel faction fighting destroying the country killing Liberians because of their tribe ( and yes LURD did the same so did ULIMO-J/K so I’m not only saying Taylor) looting buring down the city under the rain of the heavy artillery. I ask you how can anyone rebuid a country when they are helping to tear it down?
Taylor is not a lamb lead to the slaughter his hand is all up in the trouble of Liberia and I believe Sierra Leone.
For all those who claim Taylor is innocent I say there are still people today in the 21st century who says Idi Amin did nothing wrong. Look at Prince Johnson he killed Doe on tape sipping a Heineke ; or however u spell it and has the audocity to say he didn’t do it. This is the same way I look at Taylor. This witness saying what Taylors intention was does by no means erase the atrocity commited in Liberia. And for those who say stopp talking about Liberia I say read the post above and then tell me what country is mentioned above.