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Liberia: Blah confirms Taylor involvement in RUF operation in Sierra Leone
May 16, 2008
Michael Kpayili
Former Liberian President Moses Blah has confirmed Prosecution claimed of Charles Taylor involvement in supporting the Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone. According to a Liberian Journalist covering the ongoing trial in The Hague, Mr. Blah testified in open court that he first met Foday Sankoh in Small Gbarnga and he (Sankoh) complained to him that he told Taylor about the indiscriminate killing instituted by the NPFL in Sierra Leone. Foday Sankoh was then the head and founder of the RUF.
Mr. Blah further explained that after hours of discussion between him and Mr. Sankoh in Small Gbarnga, he immediately proceeded to Mr. Taylor resident in Gbarnga to ascertain the validity of Sankoh complains. Charles Taylor told Blah in response to Sankoh complain that War was never bread and butter and if Sankoh continue with his complain, he (Taylor) was going to withdraw the NPFL troop from Sierra Leone.
Two notorious rebel commanders namely Christopher Vambo and Dopoe Mankahnzohn were the frontline commanders initially sent by Taylor to lead the war in Sierra Leone, Blah explained. The trained NPFL Special Forces Commando also explained in court that Mr. Taylor instituted extra judiciary killing in NPFL control areas and also linked prominent but wealthy individuals that he claimed supported Taylor in accomplishing the NPFL/RUF operations in Sierra Leone.
Those Blah claimed were victims of the extra judiciary killing were Cooper Miller, Sam Lattoe, Cascious Jacobs just to name a few. Those that allegedly supported Taylor quest for NPFL/RUF operations were Benoni Urey, Cyril Allen, Grace Minor, Musa Sesay just to name a few.
The testimony of Charles Taylor former Vice President and confident Moses Blah has developed serious debate in major quarters and street corners in Monrovia. Although the debate is mix, many see Blah testimony as instrument to divide Liberians and undermine the ongoing reconciliation process in Liberia. Others see it as a superlative deceit on the part of former President Moses Blah aimed at getting money from the Prosecuting team investigating Taylor.
Moses Blah is also accused of instituting devilish acts against the people of Liberia especially the Southeasterners as being told in the ongoing testimonies held at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He served as Inspector-general to Charles Taylor and also advisor. Based on the trust that Taylor developed in him, he was appointed as Ambassador in Libya, Vice President in Liberia and lastly served the presidency for two months after the forceful departure of Taylor. He narrowly survived death after Taylor accused some members of his Government for planning to overthrow him. Although he escaped death, other members of his tribe felt the weight of Taylor action. John Yormie and Isaac Vaye were victims of Taylor action.
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