The trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor today returned to normal hearings after the conclusion of the testimonies of three celebrity witnesses. The former interim leader of the Sierra Leonean rebel group, which Mr. Taylor is accused of providing support for, resumed his testimony and told the Special Court for Sierra Leone judges in The Hague that allegations of his rebel group capturing materials from United Nations peacekeepers in Sierra Leone and sending such materials to Mr. Taylor are false.
In May 2000, as Sierra Leone was getting ready to disarm thousands of rebel fighters, Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels took hundreds of UN peacekeepers hostage and seized several materials including arms, ammunition, vehicles, and communication equipment from the peacekeepers. RUF leader, Foday Sankoh, was arrested by the government of Sierra Leone and Issa Hassan Sesay, after a meeting with Mr. Taylor in Liberia, facilitated the release of the peacekeepers. Mr. Sesay eventually became interim leader of the RUF.
In 2008, a witness who claimed to have been working within Mr. Taylor’s security apparatus in Liberia, testified for the prosecution and told the court that on Mr. Taylor’s instructions, the heavy artillery weapons that were seized from the UN peacekeepers were taken to Liberia by Mr. Sesay, and the weapons were used to provide security for Mr. Taylor. Today, Mr. Sesay described this account as false. According to Mr. Sesay, all materials that were seized from the peacekeepers were given back to the UN in Sierra Leone.
“That did not happen…I did not send any artillery pieces to Mr. Taylor in Liberia,” Mr. Sesay told the court.
“I did not give any instruction to take any UNAMSIL [United Nations Missions in Sierra Leone] weapon to Mr. Taylor in Liberia. The weapons that were captured from them were handed back to the UN before disarmament,” he added.
Mr. Sesay also denied claims that part of the weapons obtained from the peacekeepers included “mortar guns,” which were used by security forces in Mr. Taylor’s presidential convoy in Liberia.
“He is lying because I do not recall that mortars were captured from the peacekeepers. It was BZTs that we captured, and I did not send them to Monrovia,” Mr. Sesay said.
Mr. Sesay further denied prosecution evidence that he provided some help through the transfer of weapons from Sierra Leone to Liberia’s Special Security Services (SSS) Director, Benjamin Yeaten, who was mobilizing forces to attack Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels. At the time LURD rebels were threatening to unseat Mr. Taylor’s government in Liberia. TFI-375, the witness who testified about this incident claimed that he was present and saw the weapons being handed from Mr. Sesay to Mr. Yeaten.
When talking about the support that Mr. Taylor and his forces allegedly gave to the RUF in Sierra Leone, TFI-375 told the court in 2008 that he was very close to Mr. Yeaten and that he was personally involved in transporting arms and ammunition for rebel forces in Sierra Leone. Mr. Sesay denied this claim, telling the court that he only had contact with Mr. Yeaten in 2000 and at that time, RUF forces were no longer fighting in Sierra Leone.
“During this time when I was in contact with Benjamin Yeaten, the war was not continuing in Sierra Leone, and I did not have any arms dealings with Benjamin Yeaten,” Mr. Sesay said.
“I did not have anybody that was bringing arms and ammunition for me from Benjamin Yeaten, that is not true,” he added.
Witness TFI-375 also told the court that when the RUF arrested the peacekeepers in 2000, it was Mr. Sesay who first contacted Mr. Yeaten to seek advise from Mr. Taylor on how to handle the situation. Mr. Sesay said that this never happened.
“That’s a lie, I did not talk to Benjamin Yeaten on satellite phone, and I did not send a radio message to Benjamin Yeaten after the capture of the UN peacekeepers,” Mr. Sesay said.
According to Mr. Sesay, after the capture of the UN peacekeepers, Mr. Taylor sent Mr. Yeaten to invite him to Liberia where they discussed the release of the peacekeepers. If he had communicated with Mr. Yeaten by satellite phone or radio, there would have been no need for Mr. Taylor to send Mr. Yeaten to fetch him with a helicopter, he said.
Mr. Sesay’s testimony continues tomorrow.
hey people i just read this news related to Charles Taylor in the Liberian press i thougt it would be interesting to reader of this blog.
http://www.starradio.org.lr/content/view/16912/380/
Aron, this is Koyte’s version of the story and therefore not an established fact. Besides, this guy is an opportunist and such episode is simply an event or incidence that is part of a narrative but forms a separate unit within the whole. Hope you understand what this means, Aaron. Thanks for the article..I think others should follow your footsteps in reading other news sources other than only articles on taylor’s lies and denials!
Aaron,
Thanks Aki, brought that to our attention…what I find interesting though. This guy is only trying to clean up his old man side. Look from a well placed source in the State Dept. the old man turn Taylor over because he was seeking a constitution change for a third term and initially America pushed against it. Infact they were vocal about it. When he came to Washington, they told him if he would cooperate, they (Washington) will turn a blind eye to his quest for a third term. If that failed, he was promised a lucrative position with the UN….so Obssenjo was just as nasty and crooky as they come!
Don’t get me wrong, I think his article was interesting and frankly good, but it was intended to shift blame and improve Obssenjo tainted legacy.
I wrote on this in last week summary in this forum….read it!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Alpha should have known better as a journalist representing the most famous site on the Charles Taylor trial not to have taken side.
This guy credibility is question day-to-day by bloggers how bias he is, why would he (Alpha) allowed his repetition, profession, and to a certain extend his dignity disappeared under his own eyes.
I would like to give Alpha the benefit of the doubt, but there is no benefit left, only doubts. Even though, he (Alpha) was speaking on BBC rather than, commenting on this site. But to be blunt, Alpha MUST go to give this site the credibility it rightfully deserves.
you know what? Alpha was not elected to do this so you cannot campaign for his dismissal,what? you don’t get it!
Courtney Grifiths Q.C refused audience before the SCSL? because he refused to apologise to Mr Koumjian for his shouting on Mr Koumjian to Sit down! while he Courtney Grifiths was addressing the court asserting that Mr Koumjian was being disrespectful in his address to him before the court and that in his view his exchanges with Mr Koumjian is not the court’s business since it is Counsel-to-Counsel exchange. But the Judges of the court disagreed and claimed sincke it happend in their presence, they have the right to apply sanction on Mr Griffiths unless he appologised which Mr Griffiths refused to do and walked out of the court after the judges ruled that he is henceforth refused audience before the court.
Are we looking at a potential further delay to these proceedings? The defence will surely be reluctant to allow the prosecution to go ahead with the cross examination of Mr Sesay without the assurance of a senior counsel in the team. It remains to be seen where we go from here.
Mr Grifiths right of audience before the court has been reinstated. Obviously he changed his mind to salvage the situation since the other members of the defence team expressed their reluctance to continue immediately with the case without the lead counsel and consequently applied for an adjournment. The court was at a crucial cross roads at that moment, but Mr Grifiths apparently changed his mind at that and immediately appologised in order to salvage the situation and move on. His right of appearance was immediately restored, and the case resumed in full.
THIS CASE HAVE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS AND THE MOTIVE FOR THE PEOPLE PUSHING THIS THROUGH IS CONTROL.
THIS WEBSITE IS SET UP BY THE PROSECUTION TEAM…..HOPING TO INCITE THE OPINION OF WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO CALL EDUCATED SIERRA LEONEEAN AND LIBERIAN.
WELL THEY CAN NOW SEE THE RESULT,REALLY EDUCATED AND FREE THINKING SIERRA LEONEEAN AND LIBERIAN CAN DISTINGUSH RIGHTS AND WRONG FOR THEMSELVE AND THEY HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY TOOK THE VIEW THAT CHARLES TAYLOR SHOULD BE ANSWERABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF LIBERIA NOT SIERRA LEONE.
NOT SURE FOR THE SAKE OF GOD WHY THESE PEOPLE CHOOSES TO DO THIS MACABE ANGLO TWIST ON US.OUR AFRICAN BROTHERS ARE WATCHING AND THEY WILL HELP US DEFEND OURSELVE FROM THIS EVIL WRAPPED WITH CONNING WORD AND MONEY FOR YOUR SOUL.
ELLEN JOHNSON,AHMED TEJAN KABBA THE GREAT SELL OUT IN AFRICA . THE PRIME MINISTER OF KENYA POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF HE HAS HIS WAY!!!
ONE OF THEIR BROTHER DISOBEY THE MASTER,YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD THESE GUYS COMMENTING ON THE ZIMBABWE ISSUE.UNBEHALF OF THE MASTERS THAT WERE KILLING MILLION OF IRAQI…AND THANK GOD FOR THE AFGHANISTAN.
YOU WOULD NEVER SEE FRANCE TAKING ZIMBABWE SIDE…WHAT I AM SAYING IS A EUROPEAN COUNTRY WILL NEVER SIDE WITH AN AFRICAN COUNTRY AGAINST ANOTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRY REGARDLESS IF THE EUROPEAN COUNTRY IS WRONG.
KABBA WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE SENT BY THE UN TO SPEAK TO MUGABE….DON’T KNOW WHAT REPLY MUGABE MUST HAVE GIVEN HIM,AS HE CAN SEE THROUGH HIS POOR,LAZY MINDED,WEAK SPIRIT AND DEEM WITISM.
Cee, this is my advice to you; please take your grieviances to the World Court and focus on what we are presently talking about. For God’s sake, Mugabe is not on trial here, neither bringing Ellen Johnson into this mess caused by taylor! Focus on what awaits your leader and not all this whinning about others. You guys had your opportunity to run Liberia and look at what happened? Taylor would have probably chased the Whites away just like Mugabe and claims Imperialistic rulers, while at the same time enslaving the masses of his people! Rubbish, is all I can say about people who think like Mugabe or taylor!
Dear folks
Where is Benjamin Yeaten?
Thanks for the good work you guys are doing, keep it up.
They say this trial was supposed to be an indication to every one about the implications of the rule of law. However, if feelings in West Africa and legal commentators is anything to go by, it has succeeded in reawakening the age-old belief that international politics and economic interests remain the driving force for these sort of trials. Its a pity no body is buying the puported message about the rule of law and its effects. Put bluntly, the West should be ashamed of its brazen hypocrasy that this trial represents. Even more painful is the fact that a few Africans remain blinded by the ‘didvide and rule’ tactics of this Western rascals.
But make no mistake about it. Charles Taylor is not on trial because of any rule of law tantrum! They know they don’t want him free. If they were honest about their intentions, all the funds being wasted on this chicanery trial woud have been used to improve the lives of Sierra Leonans. But no, Britain prefers to use its tax-payers money to incacerate Charles Taylor for the rest of his life. Now that shows you the sort of fools these people think we all are.
Sylvanus, if you have “beef” to sell, go to the British and Amricans. They will let you have your BBQ! For now, I suggest you pose as Neutral because according to your own posting previously, you are neither Liberian nor Sierra Leonean, yet you want to use the trial, it seems, to promote your personal grudges against the Whites by using the trial of charles taylor;
On August 12, 2010 at 8:59 pm, Sylvanus said: Finally, any one that describes me as a Taylor supporter must go and get checked by a psychiatrist! For I am no Liberian neither are my from Sierra Leone, and will never be. I remain an apostle of non-violence per excellence, I remain a believer in the supremacy of the law over man, but never a ‘zoombie’ that swallows all I read in the press ‘hook, line and sinker! Untill Africa gets rid of the likes of Fallah Menjor its map will remain a question mark!! It will keep asking the question: WHY IS THIS CONTINENT STILL BACKWARD?
Can someone please tell me what is the outcome of the 13 years diamond. Are they still examining the origin of the diamond?
Aki,
I believe we are not going to hear anything more about that diamond or diamonds. That issue did not yield any thing for the prosecution. South Africa is going to let this fade away. It does not want any unwanted especially negative attention brought upon them.
I am very much disappointed at the Special court officials. I am not sure if these guys are really seeing the pains sierra Leoeneans are still going through because of the war Issa Sesay and others waged on them (Sierra Leoneans).
Issa Sesay is a prisoner and for that reason should be in that court testifying in his prison clothes. he must be in; what we in Sierra Leone calls ” Jumper”. He should not be seen sitting in coats and showing as if he is another boss for another occasion. These guys are not remorseful about what they did to Sierra Leone otherwise he would not have opted to give evidence in favour of Charles Taylor when he knows Charles Taylor have been their boss all through even when he is in prison right now. Damn!!!!!!
Amadou Jalloh,
The court room is not a prison cell. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. Don’t you have respect for the judges chamber atleast…disgusting…./
Alpha Amadu Jalloh,
What do the pains Sierra Leonean are still going through has to do with Sesay been dress in a suit coat and testifying at Mr. Taylor trial? How do you know Mr. Taylor have been Sesay boss all through even when he is in prison right now, when Sesay said Mr. Taylor was not.
Jalloh.
I hope you know now that President Taylor is being falsely accused of crime that He never committed. God Almighty will confuse the enemies of president Taylor.
Long Live President Taylor, Long Live Liberia.
Issey sassey took responsibility for his action he serving his time,he said Taylor hands is not in SierraLonne war,after I hear this from a man already in prison for the seem crime Taylor is on trails for and Naomi Campbell speaking after five days that she spoke the truth and she have no motive of lying,and she a black women that love and care for Africa.I come to the conclusion that Taylor is not guilty and should be set free.Liberia can now open war crime court and bring Taylor and the rest to justice.stop hiding behind the SierraLonne war,u have no evidence,no video,voice recording,picture that the world can see Taylor in SierraLonne gaving order to ruf or holding guns there.
bruko,
Mr. Taylor will not face any war crime court in Liberia. Mr. Taylor will be given the same rights under the Liberian Constitution as any president. Sierra Leone president was not brought before the SLSC. In addition, the reason given by the prosecutor was he has the right to protect the government. That is why the USA and other are so bent on convicting Mr. Taylor for crime in another country.
Courtnry Grifiths is getting infuriated because he understanding the mischief of the prosecution.
Ms Ellen Johnson makes me laugh,i remember when she was doing that fools dance with George Bush in Liberia few years ago.some of these old folks acted like a child to the whiteman,dancing with a devilish man who is just ordered the death of hundreds of thousands of Arabs,if i remember well she was condeming Mugabe in the press conference alongside Bush. i guess she is in no doubt thinking she is in the path of the righteous….whiles been extremely dishonourable to her african brothers and sisters….very very dishonourable woman.Dishonourable to his brothers and sisters unbehalf of satan…I HAVE GOT NO RESPECT FOR YOU MAM!!!!!!!!…….YOU ARE IN A MORAL DILEMA.
A Moral “HO”.
Sorry Mr Courtney Grifiths is getting infuriated because he overstand the mischief of the prosecution!!!!!
People like Fallah understand!
No, Cee you miss the point. I am not with your infiriority complex and disrespectful remarks about calling Her “HO” just like you would your own Ma. Taylor is the subject here and Not Ellen your predicate..focus on the trial and stop name-callings please…because I will respond to every thing on this site that attempts to carry Liberia backwards!
Grifith and other can clearly see that Prosecution’s case is falling apart and they are bringing tactics to infuriate him.
Liberia has its own diamond, and Taylor’s Gift to Naomi Campbell does not have to be diamonds from Sierra Leone.
Thanks atlast the peoples’ time has arrive to put hole in this convicted RUF/ Charles Taylor puppet Issa Sesay testimonies, Go! mr Koumjain you are the real Perry Mason and I did enjoy your cross today, exposing Issa Sesay in multiple lies.
Mr WHAT as u call yourself ,is high time u get off your high horses, and face the reality this site in case
you don’t know opion of others are always scrutinise,disected and evaluated whether it’s favour your
godfather CT.WHAT , stop attacking personnalities Alpha and Trace are doing wonderful jod if u don’t
have any thing to contribute be quiet and keep cool to see ur PAPA spend the rest of is old age beyound bars for crime committed by is boys; I hope u are not one of them.
Moreover, i wonder why peole are still casting blame on the WEST for heartless crimes committed against ur own African brothers.SYLVANUS, only lower animals surpress and eleminate rivers; if ur
own bro takes a kinfe to slutter u and u start blaming the manufactural or the retailer of the knife i wonder the part of the world u still live
What a day in court………HOTTER than HOT!!!!
I think the prosecutors tried today to SAVE grace….Mr. Sesay statements in Freetown gave them little LIGHT but Perry Mason must know and got a TOP SPIN return.
Now, that the Naomi Campbell bandwagon has been and left town, we can return to thereality of what is obvious very serious charges against Taylor.
The conclusion of this trial I hope will be followed by similar tribunal forLiberia, war crime is and should be treated as serious matter and there should/will be no room for impunity, no matter the office.
Here we go sassey is guilty and serving his time,he the leader of the ruf,he say Taylor never support him,well I believe sassey,if the prosecutor think sassey is lying we need them to show us video or voice recording or picture,well u got to prove somebody guilty by strong evidence.sassey say Taylor never support SierraLonne war.so how can u proof he lying,cause I know he not lying.
Bruko,
Up to today’s date….the prosecutors have ONLY given us HEARSAY as her evidence….and based on HEARSAY we convict Mr. Taylor. They even brought in the BIG THREE…..and we still ended up with HEARSAY.
Noko5 and Ken, I now know you guys do not know anything about court sittings. It is very clear in every court in the world, sentenced prisoners appear in their prison clothes. You should also not forget that the special court for “Sierra Leone” was an arrangement between the international community and Sierra Leone; meaning therefore, it has laws that are Sierra Leonean to at least cover the Sierra Leoneans that do appear before the court. In Sierra Leone, prisoners are dressed in their “jumpers” to go everywhere including the courts and that should be considered. Issa Sesay is a prisoner, he “must” have appeared in that manner before the court. He has been a prisoner because of the crimes he committed against Sierra Leoneans and these Sierra Leoneans must see him in that capacity so that they feel the justice that have been meted to them. Sierra Leoneans should not start to ask again if Issa Sesay is a prisoner each time he is shown to the public. I do not care about what he is going to say in the court because I know the evidence before the court is quite sufficient for the judges to decide. You Noko5 and Ken knows that your Godfather (Charles Taylor) was the head of RUF. He said on BBC that because Sierra Leone has hosted ECOMOG, Sierra Leone will face the bitterness of war. That was a promise he made on an international radio and it came to pass. He promised he will extend his war to Sierra Leone and he did it through RUF. Issa Sesay himself said they fought juxtaposition the NPFL. What do you think? Who was the head of NPFL? Charles Taylor will pay for his handwork. LONTA!!!!!
Jalloh,
You truly believe if Mr. Taylor had said on BBC that he was the HEAD OF RUF, the prosecutors were going to play said recording in this court?? Do you have a copy of this recording?? If so, you can link the MP3 in here.
Dear Ken,
I cannot approve your comment submitted on Sunday, August 15 because it does not abide by our website policy. If you please rephrase, I will gladly post.
Thank you.
Amadou Jalloh,
Funny..funny..LOL. Look please don’t even go there with that. Do you think the actual purpose of this trial is to bring justice to Sierraleoneans or Sierraleone, your countrys’ name is just being mascuraded for formality. Let me ask this. Don’t you think the international community could have had this court stayed right on your soil if it was actually about you? Seeing Issa dressed diplomaticly should simply suggest to you that, don’t be surprise to see him get freed one day. Look, somebody got screwed by somebody and that’s why somebody is in jail. “Plain and simple” ..ok.
Off topic, but relevant.
Why is it only the translator being “heard”? The sound is bad. Can’t hear the attorneys or judges speaking, clearly.,