By Jonathan Ambaye

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands– Last week saw Charles Taylor’s defense provide key witness testimony that could be potentially damaging to Sierra Leone Special Court Prosecutors.  One witness testified that over 300 Liberians and Sierra Leoneans were based and being trained in Liberia under a top Sierra Leonean rebel leader, prior to attacking Sierra Leone in 1991.

This particular witness, whose name and personal information were kept private, told judges he was a part of the rebel force that trained under the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) leader, Foday Sankoy, in Liberia at Camp Nama sometime around the early 1990’s. The witness also recalled additional rebel commanders who participated in these training camps, some of whom would later be prosecuted and convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for their roles in war crimes committed during the Sierra Leonean conflict.

The witness testified, “I can remember Sam Bockarie who is Mosquito, I knew Sam Quelleh, I knew Issa Sesay, I knew Morris Kallon, I knew Augustine Gbao, I knew Jonathan Kposowa, they were many, I can’t recall all of their names now.”

Prosecutors are alleging that Taylor was aware of, and supported these training facilities at Camp Nama in Liberia. Taylor denies having any knowledge of the camp’s existence.

Another witness testified that Charles Taylor never ordered his rebel forces to commit crimes. The witness further claims that Taylor was actually being prevented from liberating the Liberian people by other foreign countries that interfered in the country’s conflict.

For more information please see:

Charles Taylor Trial – Foreign Countries Prevented Charles Taylor From Liberating Liberia – 11 March 2010

Charles Taylor Trial – Foday Sankoh Wanted To Free Sierra Leoneans From The Misery of Politicians – 12 March 2010

Charles Taylor Trial – Liberian Witness Says Sierra Leonean Rebel Forces Were Trained in Liberia – 13 March 2010