A former Sierra Leonean rebel leader today again took pains to distance Charles Taylor from a shipment of weapons that prosecutors say was bought with the same batch of diamonds as those he allegedly gave to supermodel Naomi Campbell after a star-studded dinner in South Africa in 1997.
On his third day of testimony, Issa Sesay — the former interim leader of Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary United Front (RUF)– today tied Libyan leader Muamarr Ghadaffi, RUF leader Foday Sankoh, Commander in Chief (CIC) of the Burkinabe Army, General Diendere, and Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) leader, Johnny Paul Koroma, to the flight full of arms and ammunition which landed in northern Sierra Leone in late 1997.
Prosecutors have alleged that RUF/AFRC fighters gave Mr. Taylor rough diamonds for sale and to use the proceeds to purchase arms and ammunition for them during his 1997 trip to South Africa. Prosecutors say that part of those diamonds were given to supermodel Ms. Campbell for whom a subpoena has been issued to testify in The Hague in three weeks’ time, on July 29. Today, one of the men at the forefront of RUF activities in Sierra Leone said that prosecution allegations are false.
“It was Mr. Sankoh who paid for the arms and ammunition, it was Johnny Paul Koroma who paid for its transportation,” Mr. Sesay told the court today.
“Was it not Charles Taylor who paid for them with diamonds he had taken to South Africa?” Mr. Taylor’s lead defense counsel, Courtenay Griffiths, asked Mr. Sesay.
“No. It was Mr. Sankoh who paid for them. At that time, Mr. Sankoh and Mr. Taylor did not even have any contact,” Mr. Sesay responded.
Today, Mr. Sesay described a letter sent from Mr. Sankoh – who was in jail in Nigeria at the time — to Mr. Koroma and top RUF commander, Sam Bockarie. The letter, delivered by another RUF commander, Gibril Massaquoi, informed the two men that Mr. Ghadaffi had given Mr. Sankoh USD 2,000,000 with which he had bought weaponry. These arms and ammunition were to be collected from Burkinabe CIC General Diendere and transported to Sierra Leone for use by the AFRC and RUF. Mr. Sankoh asked Mr. Koroma to provide money for a chartered flight to take the mateials to Sierra Leone. These materials, Mr. Sesay told the court, were the ones that were dropped off at an airstrip in northern Sierra Leone in late 1997.
Speaking about Mr. Sankoh, Mr. Sesay told the court that “he had travelled to Libya and had got some money from the Libyan leader and that is the money he used to buy the arms and ammunition.”
“So he sent Gibril Massaquoi to meet General Diendere and Ibrahim Bah to make arrangements for the arms and ammunition to be taken to Sierra Leone,” Mr. Sesay told the court.
“Mr. Sankoh told Johnny Paul to provide money to charter a flight for the arms and ammunition to be taken to Sierra Leone,” he continued.
He said that “RUF agent,” Ibrahim Bah, was invited to Sierra Leone and AFRC leader Mr. Koroma gave him USD 90,000 to pay for a chartered flight to transport the arms and ammunition from Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone. The said money was taken from the Bank of Sierra Leone, Mr. Sesay told the court.
Mr. Griffiths asked Mr. Sesay how he came to know all these details.
“Well, I took part in this. Even Gibril Massaquoi told me about the letters that he brought, Sam Bockarie told me. I was a senior commander and so was involved in what was going on,” Mr. Sesay said.
“I was part of the team that went to receive the shipment,” he added.
Asked by Presiding Judge of the Trial Chamber, Justice Julia Sebutinde, whether it is his testimony that “the funds that bought these arms and ammunition came from the Libyan leaded Muamarr Ghadaffi,” Mr. Sesay said “yes, that was my understanding.”
“Mr. Sankoh bought these arms and ammunition from General Diendere and he was able to keep them because he was the head of the army in Burkina Faso. If it were not for Mr. Sankoh’s arrest, they would have come before then because Mr. Sankoh had given instructions to Peter Vandy to prepare an airstrip in Buedu,” Mr. Sesay explained.
When asked whether it was possible for the flight carrying the arms and ammunition to have passed through Liberia before heading to Sierra Leone, Mr. Sesay said: “No. It would not have been possible because at that time, ECOMOG [West African peacekeepers] were based in Liberia.”
Mr. Sesay said that within this period of time, neither the RUF, nor the AFRC leadership, had any dealings with Mr. Taylor.
“Before we joined the AFRC, we had no talk or business with Mr. Taylor…When we joined the AFRC, Johnny Paul had no business with Mr. Taylor,” Mr. Sesay said.
Mr. Sesay insisted that if other RUF commanders had been in contact with Mr. Taylor, he would have known because he was the rebels’ Battle Group Commander.
When shown an October 3, 1997, letter written and signed by AFRC leader Mr. Koroma in which the AFRC leader thanked Mr. Taylor for his support and requested a huge consignment of arms and ammunition, Mr. Sesay said that this was his first time seeing the letter. He did not know that Mr. Koroma had made such a request from Mr. Taylor, he said.
Mr. Sesay’s testimony continues on Thursday.
My fellow comrades of justice,
The time is near, when all of God’s children from Monrovia to Johannesburg, from Finland to Greece, from North Dakota to Texas and from Venezuela to the Falkland Islands shall sing and chant, FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY HE’S FREE AT LAST!
Big B, taylor is free at last thank God Almighty you are free at last from your apprehension! And you know what? Bring law claims against the Court Of Sierra Leone for “false imprisonment of your chief..that’s all I have to say because you seem to make mockery of what hurt this guy did to many! this is no comedy Big b. You are only creating more hatred for taylor by this..but probably you think it will make people love taylor, or clear taylor of facts that he had hands in most of atrocities in both nations! “the wages of sin is death”
do u have claims that mr. taylor committed all those atrocities in sierra leone or because of liberia situation u all are mad?
BIG B,
God is working for his own reason in this case. I’m sorry for our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone that have been mislead by this group of prosecutors all these wasted years.
Harris K Johnson
Let Justice be done! And let all those that supported the RUF, AFRC, the NPFL and all those rebels groups that were in Liberia and Sierra Leone be brought to justce and not leaving the leaders of Libya, Burkina Faso and The Ivory Coast. This case is not real, let the Special Court for Sierra Leone make this case real by subpoening the leader of Libya and Burkina Faso to come testify before this court. The Libyan trained Charles Taylor and his men, Sankoh and some of his men the ARM came through Burkina Faso. Let the Special Court for Sierra Leone go after the big fish. So all those loose their lives, legs and arms during this senseless that was in Sierra Leone and Liberia so justice can be served. And let “JUSTICE DONE TO ALL MEN” not this partial western justice.
WOW! Duala,
I beleive if you were God to send the warring factions to hell, the ULIMO, AFL ,INPFL, LPC, KAMAJOR, ECOMOG, GREAT BRITAIN, USA and etc..would be the good guys that never killed and qualifed in accord with standards and promoted to your heaven..am I right?
wow! SO THE REAL DEAL IS COMING OUT! I hope that those responsible for international justice understands that pride is a dangerous tool for progress. The best thing for them is to free Mr. Taylor.
BIG B,
God’s children must sing free Taylor at last because the impeachable, immaculate and Messianic Issa Sesay had spoken.
You need to come clean and tell us your definition of God and his children for I’m definitely sure you are not talking about the designer and implementer of the law of reaping what you sowed.
BIG B,
God’s children must sing free Taylor at last because the unimpeachable, infallible and immaculate and Messianic Issa Sesay had spoken. I’m surprise you are yet to suggest that we build a monument in West Africa and set aside a day as national holiday to celebrate the great virtues and marvelous deeds of Issa Sesay.
You need to come clean and tell us your definition of God and his children; for I’m definitely sure you are not talking about the designer and implementer of the law of reaping what you sowed. You need to be told that freedom of speech doesn’t give anyone the license for blasphemy against the sacred memorial of our innocent love ones who precious lives were taken away by Taylor, Issa Sesay and cohorts.
Morris,
My interpretation of God’s children is, “ the fool has said in his heart there is no God”.
Morris Kanneh ,
I was trying very hard to understand your posting ;however, somes point was taking. AKA Morris Kanneh , that name rings a bell as it relates to your comment. I saw your list of names but you left out few mean actors, and I m just wondering why ? Name like Ziggy Mana ( Human Eater), Kroma from Ulimo ( Human Intestine for gate), Conneh from Lurd (I m sure you didn’t forget the shelling of Grace Stone I.e U.S.A embassy and around monrovia ). No complains, just wondering why?????
Amen
Big B,
don’t you think its too early for such a” free at last ” celebrations? especially after reading Alpha’s last paragraph of the day, and even after this war crime convict was asked many times by his own lawyer Griffiths he maintained that he was a center piece RUF in discussions with the AFRC and that they had no contact/or business with Charles Taylor, and the remote weapon delivery in question was paid for by the Libyan leader through Foday Sankor, which was contested and is the quote” when shown ( Issa Sasay ) an october 3, 2007 letter written and signed by AFRC leader Jonny Paul Koroma in which the AFRC leader thanked Mr. Taylor for his support and requested for a huge consignment of arms and ammunitions.” Issa just as Taylor has claimed to be at the center of it all but when confronted with hard evidance have contradicted under oath.
Tracey/Apha,
Second to the last paragraph of Apha’s summary:
“When shown an October 3, 1997, letter written and signed by AFRC leader Mr. Koroma in which the AFRC leader thanked Mr. Taylor FOR HIS SUPPORT and requested a huge consignment of arms and ammunition, Mr. Sesay said that this was his first time seeing the letter.”
I do not think this was exactly what was said in that letter which is an existing defence exhibit in this case. A more accurate understanding would have been “When shown an October 3, 1997, letter written and signed by AFRC leader Mr. Koroma in which the AFRC leader thanked Mr. Taylor FOR HIS SUPPORT FOR THE SIERA LEONEAN PEACE PROCESS and requested a huge consignment of arms and ammunition, Mr. Sesay said that this was his first time seeing the letter.”
JP Koroma thanked Mr Taylor for his support for the Sierra leonean peace process and not for his support for the AFRC/RUF Junta as can be easily inferred from your summary above.
Hi there Sam — you have an eagle eye! Let me check the trial transcript tomorrow and make any corrections if they are necessary.
Thanks again for pointing this out and asking us to check — it is good to ensure that our reporting is as accurate as possible.
Best,
Tracey
Yes indeed my brother, the time is near for jubilation for the freedom that Pres. Taylor is to receive just in a relatively short period of time.
But one thing shocks me, is the prosecution saying that Naomi received a GIFT, or was given diamond for weapons in return? Please help me out colleagues.
With God on our side, we will be smiling very soon.
Johannson — my understanding of the allegations is that Ms Campbell received a gift of diamonds from Mr. Taylor’s men — not that Mr. Taylor gave the diamonds to her to exchange for weapons. You are right that the “diamonds in exchange for weapons” are part of the broader allegations in this specific instance — basically, prosecutors are saying that Mr. Taylor had received diamonds from Sierra Leonean rebels before his trip to South Africa to exchange for weapons during his travels – the diamonds that his men allegedly gave to Ms. Campbell were simply a portion of that larger stash of diamonds that prosecutors say he then exchanged for weapons with others during his trip. They say the weapons then arrived in Sierra Leone the next month. Mr Taylor has denied these allegations, and Mr. Sesay testified yesterday that the weapons shipment at issue was actually bought with money sourced from Muammar Ghadaffi from Libya, and had nothing to do with Mr. Taylor.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Tracey
Helen,
The International media is not much interested in Issa’s testimony because what he is saying is expected of him. As you know, to the media, a dog bitting a man is not a headline news but a man bitting a dog is a banner headline.
A sad indictment on the state of the media today, Morris!
Best,
Tracey
Momo Dahn,
You asked the not very interesting question ” Why was the prosecution not able to bring a senior top RUF insider to testify against Mr. Taylor and corroborate their false allegations?”
If you would only take off your Taylor’s bias lenses, you will see that the prosecution didn’t only call senior members of the RUF, but went as far as bringing in the most senior official, save Taylor, of Taylor’s criminal empire (the former acting President and Vice President of Liberia, Mose Blah).
If by your definition of senior top RUF insider you mean Issa Sesay or any of the indicted Criminals of the SCSL then you need some tutorials on logical analyses and proper reasoning.
You need not be a rocket scientist to see that Issa Sesay and his like would speak the truth only and only if they were offered immunity from prosecution and you don’t need to sit for many years in a four walled room (classroom) to see that doing so would defeat the very essence of war crime trials and render the whole thing as a witch hunt against mafia boss Taylor.
OK then Morris Kanneh, Can you point to a specific credible testimony of Moses Blah that indicts Mr Taylor? Most of what Moses Blah testified to was about the training of the NPFL special forces in Libya and he made it categorically clear in his testimony that contrary to proecution allegations in this case, Foday Sankoh was not the leader of the SL group in Libya he even referred to Foday Sankoh as “a Tea Boy” so it was not possible for Taylor to have “planned and entered into a pact” with “Tea boy” Foday Sankoh in order to distabilise Liberia and SL – this has since been corroborated by Charles Taylor himself and several defence witnesses.
Another part of Moses Blah’s Testimony was that he insinuated that Sam Bockarie was killed on the instructions of Charles Taylor and he also claimed to have entertained Sam Bockarie(SB) and Benjamin Yeaten (BY) a few hours before the death of Sam Bockarie when the duo stopped by at his house in his village on their way to the Ivorian Border. He said in the early hours of the next morning he heard shooting in the area and suspected that their was an attack going on so he hurriedly left his house in his village and tried to find a place to hide. He further claimed that as he was trying to find his way to monrovia, he encountered Benjamin Yeaten on the way and BY showed him the dead body of SB which showed that SB was strangled. He then escorted BY with the body back to Monrovia and presented it to Charles Taylor. However the truth of the incident was revealed during cross examination when Blah was confronted with the sworn statement of the head of the mortuary where SB’s body was deposited (he is also listed as a defence witness, going by the witness summaries) Moses Blah could not offer any credible explanation as to why it was him that sent his personal assistant to deposit SB’s body at the mortuary which fact he failed to mention in his examination in chief. He was also confronted with the autopsy report which was conducted by an international panel which showed that SB died of bullet wounds instead of being strangled. He could not provide any explanation for why a senior military man like him does not know the difference between a bullet wound and a strangled person. Defence witnesses have testified that it was infact Moses Blah that was sent by Mr Taylor to put the situation between SB and the Liberian security forces under control when the former tried to force his way back into Liberia after he had been expelled shedding light on why Moses Blah was in the area of the conflict that day and explaining why it was infact Moses Blah that brought the body to Charles Taylor in Monrovia and why it was his personal assistant that deposited the body of SB at the mortuary.
So Morris in conclusion Moses Blah was more of a defence witness than he was of a prosecution witness because majority of his testimony was in support of Mr Taylor’s case. those few areas where he lied was exposed during cross examination.
Sam,
Great points Bro.
YES BIG B,
You got it just right………
Is the testimony of a man who once headed the RUF and who is now in prison for the Sierra Leonenean war, Issa Sasay not enough to convince the presecutor that they are suffering Mr. Taylor with no iota of truth?
Mr.Sasay’s testimony to the special court clearly closed the case against Mr. Taylor, because he is presently the only high ranking person from the former RUF who could have indicted Mr. Taylor.
We look forward to the day when the special court will conclude on this case and justice is ensure.
The “unimpeachable, infallible and immaculate and Messianic Issa Sesay”…wow, this board is so absurd sometimes. When he was collecting diamonds from the slaves that the RUf held in Kono for years, was he immaculate? (Or maybe the blood from the victims’ toil sullied his immaculate clothing?) Notice how careful he is….and how he doesnt talk about 1998-1999 when Taylor is hugely implicated. Unimpeachable? We’ll see. Everyone knows how he dropped those diamonds in Monrovia. Every victim and RUf member knows about the Kono mining. And so he comes here to try to help his former Papay. Wow….big surprise. I guess the 31 insiders (many RUF and high level) were all just making up the Taylor role. What a grand conspiracy!! Some people on this board need to grow up and address the evidence on its merits, not their idolatry of Taylor.
Let those that knows about how Issa sesay droped diamonds in Monrovia come foreward with evidence that they were there when it happened rather than they HEARD that it happened – hearsay.
“FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY HE’S FREE” HA! HA!————-HA!
People are jocking and if the pro Taylor camp feel they are going to win this case they are day dreaming as that is not possible and it will never be possible on mother earth. Even the heavenly father knows that Taylor’s hands are not clean from the Sierra Leone conflict.
Any person who lied to himself or about himself can do the same to others. Those who feel Issa lying to himself in court about his own crimes is now saying the truth, be right assured it is a falsifiction of the actual invents.
Issa Sesay was not well known as a top military commander until AFRC and RUF got married in 1997. The most prominent people at that time were people like Gibril Massaquoi, Faya Musa, Sam Bockarie and Denis Mingo alais superman. As a result of his level of education he was just a jungle fighter.
To be very specific, Issa Sesay is not sincere and truthful in his testimonies. I admired Isatu kallon during her cross examination by the defense and prosecution layers. Her response was short and to the point. She either says, yes correct, No or I don’t know about it neither heard of it.
To prove the inconsistencies of Issa Sesay I quote; “Asked by Presiding Judge of the Trial Chamber, Justice Julia Sebutinde, whether it is his testimony that “the funds that bought these arms and ammunition came from the Libyan leader Muamarr Ghadaffi,” Mr. Sesay said “yes, that was my understanding.”
“YES,THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING” this statement suggest that he is not sure of what he is saying otherwise he should have said, YES CORRECT. However his own understanding about the deal as a jungle fighter who is only supplied arms to fight might be different from the actual key players.
JUDGES please take note of “YES, THAT WAS MY UNDERSRANDING AND YES CORRECT” This are two alternating statements the second been afirmative while the first is based on the individual’s opinion of which he/she is not sure of its authencity. I cannot really go into Issa Sesay’s profile because this is not the appropriate forum. Thank yuo Tracey for given me space in this interesting and dynamic forum. GOD BLESS YOU>
Thank you for your kind words, Fuad. The forum is so dynamic because there are so many engaged readers commenting in this space — so thanks should also go to all our readers here too, including yourself, for being part of the conversation about this trial.
Best,
Tracey
HI Fuad, let me remind you that the trial is purely a legal matter. I would like you to concentrate more on legal logic than theology. this is in reference to the statement and I quote “even the heavenly father knows that Taylor’s hands are not clean from the sierra leone conflict” does this suggest to me and the rest that the legal battle is been won by the defense? and that you are now seeking religious trial? legal battle is not only about the law but the HIGH QUALITY OF JUSTICE
Big B, taylor is free at last thank God Almighty you are free at last from your apprehension! And you know what? Bring law claims against the Court Of Sierra Leone for “false imprisonment of your chief..that’s all I have to say because you seem to make mockery of what hurt, it is alleged, this guy did to many! this is no comedy Big b. You are only creating more hatred for taylor by this..but probably you think it will make people love taylor, or clear taylor of facts that he had hands in most of atrocities in both nations! “the wages of sin is death
Tracey,
My post on July 8, 2010 at 7:37 is pending, why?
Regards
Harris
Hi Harris — sorry for the delay — your post should be up now. Have a good evening!
Best,
Tracey
Why wasn’t Ibrahim Bah charged??? Again, some will differ but this Special Court was set up to lock up one man and one man only….Charles Taylor!!!!
I don’t want to believe the prosecutors didn’t know some of the news we’re hearing in court. I wonder if they ever tried getting Mr Sesay to change his story for PARDON and he didn’t?? I hope the last series of questions ask by Mr Perry Mason are directing into knowing if the prosecutors ever interrogated Mr Sesay for Mr Taylor’s trial.
Look at the names of those that were involved DIRECTLY and not one is on the stand…..why??? Even those that want Mr. Taylor hang by his toes must be wondering the same……yes why???
Morris Kanneh,
I know you must be angry with Issa Seysay because he said he purchased arms and other things from ULIMO and the Guineans. You however, even you must realize that the man is telling the truth finally as he has nothing to gain by protecting Charles Taylor. If this was not the truthe what does he have to gain?
I know it is a blow to the prosecution and their cohorts that this very high profile witness came forward for the Defence; but you all must realize that even if not now the real truth was going to come out sooner or later. It was all good for you when those inconsistent lying witnesses were presented by the Prosecution; witnesses that were in no position to have any access to the kind of subjective information they claim to have.
You all said they were reliable because they were saying negative things about this innocent man, despite the fact that even amongst themselves there was so much contradiction and some of their stories were even in sharp contrasts to the very fabrications and assumptions as put forward by the Prosecution. Yet you all continued to say they were credible.
Now when a man who was there and not only there but was in control and had access to the facts speaks, you call him a liar. Well for your information he may be a convicted man; but he is the best man to tell the story as he was THERE. Also as to whether he could be viewd as credible, you only need to look at how many individuals who were criminals were used in trials in the US and all developed countries as witnesses and their statements were very credible. Some of these convicts were even used as state witnesses,. So your argument does not stand.
As a matter of fact your so called favourite witness for the prosecution Zigzag Mazar by his own admission was a criminal. He admited eating humans and killing many civillians including women and children. Do you think he is a better human being that ISSA Seysay? At least Issa is facing up to what happened while your Zigzag is allowed to roam scotch free amongs the population despite his obvious psychopatic and psychological problems. Any man who will discuss how nice human flesh taste and do so with relish should be committed to an asylum. However because he was a prosecution witness, he is supposed to be smelling of roses and we should take his word for it.
Please, you, Ms Teage and Fallah need to chill and get used to the fact that despite your personal hatred of Mr Taylor, the truth will be told and Truth will prevail. You do not have a scope on things and neither will your wrath and blind reasoning reign. whether you like it or not the truth is finally coming out and try as they may once out it will spread and will never be obliviated.
Dear readers,
Just a friendly reminder to everyone on this site: let’s make sure to keep our spirited debate on the issues, and not to attack each other so we can have as productive a conversation as possible.
Best,
Tracey
Helen,
My opinion of this trail and Taylor has nothing to do with hate. I NEVER ONCE, said I hated Taylor or another human being, hate is a strong word….i will appreciate it if you don’t put words in my mouth. You and I have never discussed my disposition per this trail, so I think it’s only wise to stick to the matters being discussed and not make assumptions of motives of blogger. I’ve always welcomed and respected others differing opinions because I understand that everyone does not see life through MY lenses that I see life through. There is nothing sinister about my opinion of this trail. I simply don’t share the opinion as you Helen, and its absolutely ‘OK’…It has nothing to do with Hate. If I ‘hate’ Taylor I have no problem explicitly saying so.
Hello All
May I participate in this conversation. relative to the reaping of what you sow. did our Lord Jesus Christ reap what he sowed? or did his 12 fellows reap what they also sowed? should we consider the outcome of this case as reaping what you sow? I am more interested in asking than making statements.
Johnny
Hey Johnny,
Welcome, what a question. Uh! Mmm
Bundu,
I’m very sorry if I left you with the impression that Issa Sesay was unimpeachable, infallible, immaculate and Messianic. That is the complete opposite of my message and if I’m ever to even entertain such thought in my imagination then I deserve a place in the asylum of a psychiatric hospital.
My statement “God’s children must sing free Taylor at last because the unimpeachable, infallible and immaculate and Messianic Issa Sesay had spoken. I’m surprise you are yet to suggest that we build a monument in West Africa and set aside a day as national holiday to celebrate the great virtues and marvelous deeds of Issa Sesay” was a caricature intended to show the absurdity of Big B’s comment that Taylor should be set free because Issa Sesay has spoken.
Boo, we are on the same page as its relates to our position on these war criminals. I hold 101% intolerance for looters, rapists and murderers and strongly believe that those who denied others the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should under no condition be allowed to enjoy these very rights they denied others. I vehemently oppose the screwed idea and twisted logic of reconciliation with unrepentant rapists and murderers and I have a complete disdain for buying peace at the price of rewarding looters, rapists and murderers with positions of trust.
These war crime criminals and their supporters should be grateful and appreciate the decency of civilized people for allowing them to have their day in court, something they did not accord the victims of their ruthlessness and jungle justice.
Helen,
I have already given possible reasons why Issa Sesay is lying and what he sillily think he can gain by protecting Taylor. So, I wouldn’t waste my time restating them. The uncomfortable truth is that trying to reason with a person who has renounced the use of reasoning amount to administering medicine to the dead. So, I wouldn’t waste my precious time flogging a dead horse. All I can tell you is that I’m a native of Koluba city, Kolahun district, Lofa county. I left Monrovia in June of 1990 and walked for about three weeks to Kolahun. I was in Foya visiting an aunt when the RUF/NPFL launched its war on Sierra Leone and I took personal interest in following the development. I’m too knowledgeable about Taylor and the NPFL role in destructing and plundering the Sisterly republic of Sierra Leone for me to fall victim to Issa Sesay and cohorts concocted lies.
No matter the outcome of Taylor’s trial, nobody will succeed in fudging the reality of what transpired in the Mano River basin between 1990 and 2003. The facts of those years speak for themselves and we victims of those great atrocities know fully well that Issa Sesay is a pathological liar.
If you are not happy with me being angry with Issa Sesay for purchasing arms from whomever and reigning havoc on innocent people, than I can’t help you. All I can do is pity you and suggest that you seek counseling from the professionals.
Well put Morris, I come from the same area and I know what you are talking about even though I immigrated to the West because of all the senseless killings and ignorance during the eighties. These guys who support taylor are mostly not Natives of liberia because they would’nt have being so adamant about what happened. I am not too sure about their citizenry to Liberia. Remember Kanneh, many forigners bought citizenship under curroupt taylor NPFL and others gained citizeships from fighting for taylor. And still others were lovers of taylor clique. Do you see the bigger picture I am stating? I will share with you what we are researching back here in the States later..Brother!
fallah,
This trial is not about being native Liberians; let’s stick to the issue at hand. We may not be native Liberians as you proclaimed but without a doubt, we are native Liberians of justice.
That is exactly what I see here Big B. It is not hard to read between the lines, my Brother. No one in his right mind is going to put an individual first above country! Taylor seems to mean more to some than their nationalistic concerns! What a pity..but for me, Liberia comes first and individuals second, because liberia is my native land and root for my children. I did not gain citizenship from Liberia..I was born a Liberian for which I am ever proud!
Yes,
gentlemen campaign for a war crime court in liberia then….you and your masters are using us in sierra leone as a lynch mob for your enemy mr taylor…think of the inplications gentlemen think……the times demands sophisticated thinking .
I am not a supporter of mr taylor,he did his things in liberia.Just don’t like people making a nonsense of problems.forkers
Morris,
You said ” I have already given possible reasons why Issa Sesay is lying and what he sillily think he can gain by protecting Taylor ” This man is already in jail for almost the rest of his life, what is it to gain by protecting Taylor? Just asking …. No Jargons please!!!
Yes Grebo;”he who is down fears no fall.”Isa is doomed and cares less if he lies now..don’t you understand that? Taylor is isa’s last hope and free taylor means free isa.. they are birds of the same flock!
sam,
You just buttress my point and debunked the chap you claimed that the prosecution didn’t call top insiders of the NPFL and its auxiliary unit in Sierra Leone-RUF. Whether Mose Blah’s testimony was helpful to Taylor is left with the Judges to decide and not our call to make.
GreBo,
I hope you are not denying that I have giving possible reasons why Issa Sesay might be lying and what he foolishly think he can gain by defending Taylor. You see, this is the thing about denial. When one gets accustomed to it he begins to deny even the obvious.
On another note, some of my posts here are intended for those with the abilities to comprehension logical analyses. So, if my simple writings come to you as jargons then it means they are not meant for you. You can skip them and read the posts that you have the ability to comprehend.
Fellow readers,
A gentle reminder: let’s keep focussed on the issues and not each other.
Best,
Tracey