By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

THE HAGUE, Netherlands-This past week in the Charles Taylor Trial, prosecutors were able to receive admissions from Taylor that may prove crucial to supporting their case against him for committing war crimes. Filling in for special prosecutor Brenda Hollis, who has been severely ill, was Nicholas Koumjian who lead the cross-examination of Taylor last week.

During the course of the cross-examination, Taylor admitted that he sent his Chief of Protocol, Musa Sesay, to accompany a Sierra Leonean rebel commander to Burkina Faso in 1998. Despite the admission, Taylor was sure to deny additional allegations that he helped the rebel, Sam Bockarie, transport arms and ammunition through Liberia for use by rebel forces in Sierra Leone.

Taylor explained that he sent Sesay to act as an interpreter for Bockarie during his visit with President Blaise Campaore in Burkina Faso. Taylor however agreed that Bockarie was under a UN travel ban at the time of the visit, and despite the ban, he still approved Bockarie’s passage through Liberia.  The prosecution has been trying to gather evidence to support the alleged relationship that existed between Taylor and RUF commander Bockarie. Witnesses have testified that Bockarie used to take orders from Taylor, but Taylor has repeatedly denied these allegations.

This past week also saw Taylor confirm his involvement in bringing together Sierra Leonean Rebel commanders to reconcile their differences. It is alleged that Taylor orchestrated the reconciliation between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) with the plans for a military takeover of Sierra Leone.

Taylor denied this allegation, and further explained that his purpose of uniting the commanders was to ensure the success of the peace agreement between the government and the rebel groups. When asked why the Sierra Leonean Government was not invited to this meeting, Taylor said, “Because the government of Sierra Leone was not part of the issues between them. There was bad blood between groups and their purpose was to sort out that bad blood.”

For more information please see:

Charles Taylor Trial – Charles Taylor Helped Sierra Leonean Rebel Commanders Reconcile Their Differences, But Not For a Military Takeover of The Country, He Says- 26 November 2009

Charles Taylor Trial – Charles Taylor Says He Was A Peace Mediator– 28 November 2009

Charles Taylor Trial – Taylor Admits He Sent His Chief To Accompany A Sierra Leonean Rebel Commander To Burkina Faso – 25 November 2009