Taylor Accuses Prosecution of Misleading the Court

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

THE HAGUE, Netherlands-On Monday, November 2, 2009, Charles Taylor’s trial, for his alleged role in serious international crimes committed by Sierra Leone rebels during the country’s civil war, resumed. On this day, Charles Taylor gave testimony accusing the prosecution of misleading the Special Court for Sierra Leone. This accusation came as a result of the prosecution introducing evidence that when Taylor was Liberia’s President, he acted as a mediator between divided Sierra Leonean rebel commanders, and that he further was involved in appointing rebel leaders and providing his country as a safe haven to rebels on “the run”.

The evidence came in the form of testimony by Vamunya Sherif, a former Deputy Director of Operations in the Liberian Secret Service during Taylor’’s presidency. In January of 2008, Sherif testified that Taylor played a role as a meditator between two senior rebel commanders of Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary Front (RUF), Issa Sesay and Sam Bockarie. According to Sherif’s testimony, Taylor invited the two commanders to Liberia with the intent to help them resolve their conflict. It is alleged by Sheriff, that during this time Taylor appointed Sesay as the leader of the RUF in place of Sam Bockarie. Sherif concluded his testimony alleging that subsequent to the leadership change, Bockarie fled to Liberia where he sought a safe haven.

In response to this testimony, Taylor dismissed Sherif’s testimony as “lies”.  Taylor went on to say, “No such situation occurred where I sent for Sam Bockarie and Issa Sesay to discuss a conflict between them that will lead to the departure of Bockarie.” In additional response to the prosecutions introduction of the evidence Taylor said “the prosecution knows that no such meeting took place because they have gone through major documents that tell how Bockarie left Sierra Leone, so for them to ask that question when they know that no such meeting too place is sinister, and the prosecution misled the court.”

Taylor went on to refute other claims made by Sherif that included linking arms and ammunition exchanges between Bockarie and Liberia. For the past week Taylor has had to respond to testimonies by the prosecution’s witnesses regarding his relationship with RUF commander Bockarie. Taylor has adamantly denied many of these allegations.

For more information please see:

All Africa – Charles Taylor Accuses Prosecution of “Misleading” The Special Court for Sierra Leone – 2 November 2009

Charles Taylor Trial – Charles Taylor Accuses Prosecution of “Misleading” The Special Court for Sierra Leone – 2 November 2009

Charles Taylor Trial – Charles Taylor and Sam Bockarie Did Not Have Master Servant Relationship – 29 October 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive