When I told people that I was coming to Sierra Leone the first thought in people’s mind was the 10 year Civil War of the 1990s when 120,000 people killed. The war has been over for 10 years now and finally today people see a chance for justice.
As I sat at my desk this morning the TV was on in the
background. Today there would finally be
a verdict in the landmark trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor from
the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague and it was being broadcast live. He was charged with 11 counts of War Crimes
and Crimes Against Humanity as it was alleged that he fuelled the brutal 10 year
civil war to profit from the country's diamond mines.
Although the location of the trial was moved to The Hague
the Special Court buildings in Freetown were full today. Hundreds of people were in the courtrooms
watching the verdict live. Among the
audience were all the paramount chiefs from across the country. The view from the Special Court is stunning
as you looking to the west you can see the Atlantic over a sea of corrugated
roofs. No-one was taking in the view
today as they intently watched the proceedings from the Netherlands.
The facts of case read out were shocking in their
brutality. It is not only the headline
grabbing amputations/multilations and recruitment of child soldiers but also
the raping of innocent women and gruesome murders; people were beheaded and burnt
alive in their homes.
“Talking peace and waging war the story of
Charles Taylor” was one headline I heard today.
This arises from a key finding against Taylor which was he engaged in
arm’s transactions at the same time as acting as a peace maker. He provided
indispensable and critical support to the Revolutionary United Front
(RUF).
So what was the verdict?
He was
found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes on all 11 counts. What were the crimes? 1.terrorism, 2.murder, 3.violence to life and
health of individuals - murder, 4.rape, 5.sexual slavery, 6.outrages against
personal dignity, 7.violence to life – cruel treatment, 8.other inhumane acts,
9.enlisting/conscripting minors under age of 15 to military service,
10.enslavement, 11.pillage,
My new Radio Four is the BBC World Service. Their programme” World Have Your Say”
programme is being broadcast from Freetown today and many views were expressed
from the streets. For some a guilty
verdict is still not enough for someone who pronounced war on Sierra
Leone. People’s suffering can never be
reversed and what does this bring to women who were raped and enslaved. Some
feel justice has been done for Sierra Leone and for all Africa to say that warlords
cannot enrich themselves at the expense
of the poor. The verdict will hopefully
bring closure to the this blighted time in Sierra Leonean history.
I spoke to my local shop owner who thinks it is all
too late and will have no meaning as it is
so long since these acts happened.
I will watch the media with interest in the next days to see
how it all pans out.
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