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The Third Day of the TRC Public Hearings Proceedings held on Wednesday February 27, 2008 at the Fish Town City Hall, River Gee County. The Hearings session started with the Commissioners of the TRC being ushered into their seats, followed by a welcome remarks form the Chairman of the TRC Cllr. Jerome Verdier, who then called on the Hearings Officer Pastor John Teayah to invite the first Primary Witness to give his testimony.
Nineteenth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River Gee County
Jackson T. Slopor
(First Primary Witness of day three)
The First Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Chairman: good morning and welcome to the TRC public hearings and for taking up your time to come to the hearings to tell your story to the people of Liberia, River Gee County and the Commissioners of the TRC.
When were you born?
Primary Witness: 1970
Where were you born?
Primary Witness: Nyawaken
What are you doing?
Primary Witness: Farmer
Primary Witness: 1992 I was working with MLC, I was security while we were on guide then power saw got missing and they say that we the one take it and they started beating us and my mouth was bleeding and they were beating us and laughing. When the finish now then MODEL war they capture me right in my town and they tied me for one hour thirty minutes and they lose us in Nyambo and they went in my house they took my one bundle of zinc and when I went to asked them, then they beat me and they took my mattress in my house. That is all
Question from the Commissioners:
Chairman: we are very sorry for what happened to you. So that MODEL cut your hair?
Primary Witness: Yes they scrip it, they na make it fine they just chap chap it so the people can laugh at him, before I went to somebody to clean it good.
What year this one happen?
Primary Witness: That 2003, MODEL war
Who did that to you?
Primary Witness: That Chair Wallie and Gaye from Glaro.
Then they took your mattress?
Primary Witness: They took my mattress and my bundle of zinc and they sweep everything from my house.
Commissioner Konneh: you said you were a security guide right?
Primary Witness: I was a security in the company yard and the rogue went there and stole and they beat us for it.
Who catch you?
Primary Witness: That Joe was asking us say that us on guide so that us take it that he the big man for the company.
Is he a Liberian?
Primary Witness: Yes the Kpelleh man.
You were in jail when the MODEL came?
Primary Witness: No that time when they hear say MODEL was coming they leave us and the MODEL came and capture us and that is how they beat me and took all my things.
Do you know anything about the NPFL?
Primary Witness: Yes they came here in Liberian and they fought and they kill people but I was not part of them and I na join solders.
Commissioner Syllah: thank you for coming to share your experience. Were there other people besides Liberian in the company?
Primary Witness: The owner of the company was Abbas and that Joe was the big man for us. Abbas was a Lebanese man.
Abbas knew what was going on with you?
Primary Witness: Yes he knew what was going on.
What else did they do you beside what you said?
Primary Witness: The razor blade own that was MODEL and the Charles Taylor people make me to eat rock and the boy who and me they catch he die.
Which company was it?
Primary Witness: Logging company.
Commissioner Washington: good morning, when they accuse you of stealing the equipment, can you remember some of the people who were beating you?
Primary Witness: The other boy they use to call him Bowliggy and one man called Carclay, then the other people I can't remember them because I can't remember them.
Were they all fighters?
Primary Witness: Some of them were security for the company.
Do you know anything about the item that was missing?
Primary Witness: No oldma I na know anything about the power saw
The owner of the company was living there?
Primary Witness: No he use to come and go I na know where he use to come from but I think that Monrovia, but the Joe Noriaga was the big man for us.
Did they find the power saw?
Primary Witness: Yes they found it in the Ivory Coast.
Do you know some of the names of the MODEL and their Commander?
Primary Witness: That Chair Wallie was the Commander and they had one Rambo and others.
Commissioner Stewart: were you arrested in 1992?
Primary Witness: Yes
What did they do to you?
Primary Witness: They beat us and they suffer us and the people who did it that Carclay and other soldiers people.
How many lashes they gave you?
Primary Witness: Papie, they can't count it, they put us on the ground and they were just beating us the whole day and when it was getting dark the carry us in the barracks.
You talk of the fire, what happened?
Primary Witness: They use to carry us to the fire and the fire burn me on my stomach; I can show you the mark. (Witness show the mark)
They did they burned houses and rape people?
Primary Witness: No
Chairman: what thing you want we must do to the people who did the bad things to you?
Primary Witness: Papie I want your to consider them, your must forgive them.
What else do you want to say?
Primary Witness: The only thing what I say is my things then what gone from me that it I want.
We hear you, the TRC was organize to find out all the bad things that went on in the country and I am sure the government will listen to what happened and do what is suppose to be done.
Twentieth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Mamie Slopor
(Second Primary Witness of day three)
The Second Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and she was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Chairman: good morning and welcome to the TRC and for taking up your time to come to the hearings to tell your story to the people of Liberia, River Gee County and the Commissioners of the TRC. We are happy that you can come to say all the things that happened because we are collecting all the things that went on so we can all find a solution.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: Katiabo Nyanwayken
Do you know your date of birth?
Primary Witness: No
What are you doing?
Primary Witness: I am a farmer
Do you have children?
Primary Witness: Yes four children
When was the first one born?
Primary Witness: 1998
Primary Witness: I was small when the rebel enter, when they were shooting then one man peick up me and he carry me to the town because that was on the village and he give me to his daughter and the time I was big then the man came for me and he say I want carry my daughter and the wife say I want you to leave her here I na get small child and the call me and he say the way I going I am not coming back.
You are a Krahn girl and I brought you here so when you grow so you can look for your people. I took you from Zias town. And 1993 I was big then since that time I na see the man. Then the man he give me they call him Tutu boy that he raise me and the people say he must marry me and he say no I raise the girl I cant marry and they say if you cant marry her you must take her from here. Then one day when they came from the front they put me on the sun and they say today you will die. I was on the sun until in the evening and one old ma and one Papie and they beg for me and they went to the man what raise me and he say the people should leave and one woman Annie took me from in the son and she keep me until in the evening she carry me to the house.
And from there the man what I was staying with his sister say I steal her money and she ran behind me with cutlass and they people came and beg her and she leave. I went to Ivory Coast and the people say we must na cross and we suffer there. Then MODEL time my children I carry them to the water side and I say they must be there and my daughter started crying she say ma that soldier people and she say this man here he get gun and they came from in the bush and they catch me and say I must cross them and the boys in the town say I must not cross them and then I cross them because of my children and they say I must go and cross the town boy and the Papie them and I cross them and they leave the Papie them, then they tie all the young boys then.
Then the people carry the people and I was not satisfied and I went tot the river and the other people came and they say I must cross them then I cross them and they say where the people in this town and I say Garrand people carry them. Then the people started looting the town, then they say I must carry them to the people and I say I na know where the people go, then they say they going to come back and they hide and in the evening they came and catch all the people in the town and started tying them. That is what happened to me they took my mattress and my mother I don't know where she is today.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: The man who took you to the people who raise you, you know his name?
Primary Witness: His name Afraid Weah
How about the people who raise you?
Primary Witness: The man name Dodoboy and his wife is Francis Shereman.
Where are they now?
Primary Witness: They go to Sinoe
Commissioner Bull: thanks fro coming, I have no questions.
Commissioner Stewart: do you remember the year?
Primary Witness: I don't know the year, I was small.
When the MODEL came what did they do to you?
Primary Witness: They took my mattress
What did they do to the other people?
Primary Witness: They tied them and beat them and they took the people things. (Crowd burst in noise and the chairman warned them to desist from it so that they will not be asked out)
Did they forced the young boys top join them?
Primary Witness: Yes
Commissioner Washington: you said you were taken from Ziah Town but you were young and you were given to you foster parents, do you know whether they try finding your people, do you know of the Red Cross?
Primary Witness: Yes the people came to our town and they say we must come if we can't se our people.
Did you go to them or did Dodo and his wife try to help you find your family?
Primary Witness: No that only him was there so he was not having the time.
Do you want to see your parents?
Primary Witness: Yes
How small were you then?
Primary Witness: I was about ten years old.
Well some of the TRC can do right away is to connect you with agencies that can assist you finds your parents.
Are you the wife of Jackson Slopo?
Primary Witness: Yes
Where did you meet him and how long have you been together?
Primary Witness: In river Gbeh since 1996.
Commissioner Dolopei: you say they found you inn the war?
Primary Witness: Yes
Who find you?
Primary Witness: His name is Edward Douwah
Is he still living?
Primary Witness: I can't tell
That who he left you with?
Primary Witness: Dodoboy
So Dodoboy know where you coming from?
Primary Witness: Yes
Commissioner Konneh: we are very sorry for what happened to you. Do you know the names for your parents?
Primary Witness: No
The four children you have is he the one that have the four children?
Primary Witness: Yes
Have you explain your story to him?
Primary Witness: Yes
Have you made effort to go and find out where you came from?
Primary Witness: Yes that last year we plan to go there but his ma was sick.
The children you have are they going to school?
Primary Witness: That one of them beside me and he is going to school and the other one his aunty carry him
Chairman: Mamie thank you for coming and the thing you na tell us made us to understand that plenty alone because of the war. When the war came it scatter plenty people. Many children don't know where their parents are, and you are part of it and so we are happy that you have come to say what happened to you, we will put it down. Is there anything else you want to say?
Primary Witness: No
Twenty-First Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Dickson W. Barley
(Third Primary Witness of day three)
The Third Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer. She was accompanied by an interpreter.
Chairman: good morning Dickson, we want to tell you thank you fro coming to the TRC, this is the opportunity for you to tell your story to the people of Liberia so that they can know what happened to you so that al of us can no the problem and solve it.
When were you born?
Primary Witness: March 15 1970
Where were you born?
Primary Witness: Katiabo Nyawoken
What do you do?
Primary Witness: I am the Quarter Chief
Primary Witness: MODEL came in Rivergbeh and the pass on and went in Katiabo Nyuaweken and the soldiers who went there tie us and carry us in Taiyalobo we were 52 and they ask us where Taylor soldiers, we say we na no and they carry us there and we see two cars then they loosen us and they carry us to Rivergbeh. They say another group will come then you must tell them say we were here. After 3 days another group came and they called us in the centre of the town and they say we are here to move Taylor and we say we do not have any problem. They say where all the guns in this town, we say we don't have any, then they started searching all the houses and they looted all our things and they force us to carry it to Rivergbeh.
After three days they came for food, when you out your panties up they will take it and when you man you put your brief up they will take it. They say they will loot all our things. Then one of the soldiers they call him Bad blood he took plastic and he put it on fire and he started putting it on my father and he started crying. Then my father say my son I am the chief her and I take all the Krahn and other people here to be my people and I take all of you as one. Then one of my sisters husband told him and he na frick-up they were making all the old people to carry load.
All the old people put together and went to their big man and say we are tire of all the things your people doing to us, then the big man say that what you're here, we are going to loot all the things you have in that town. Then one of my friends they went on his farm and they burn the house on the farm and they burn his nut sea. That is what they did to us and one month after my father died and the Katiabo Chiefdom came together and they took the Job and the flag and gave it to Matthew Quaye and since that time we the children of our father we never get anything from our father from the government who was a paramount chief. Matthew took my father name from the pay role and he ate all the money.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: Thank you and we are sorry for what is going on. You did not tell us the year that the MODEL came?
Primary Witness: They came in 2003.
What is the distance they allow the old people to carry loads
Primary Witness: One hour thirty minutes.
Commissioner Konneh: do you know the name of the soldiers who came in your town?
Primary Witness: The first person who came there that John Garran from there now other people came.
Did he loot you people
Primary Witness: He did not loot us, he only tied us, it was the Krahn soldiers who tied us.
Are they different from the MODEL and the Charles Taylor group?
Primary Witness: No they were the MODEL soldiers, they were speaking their dialect.
Who was the big man your carry the complain to?
Primary Witness: His name is Chai Wallie
Commissioner Syllah: the fighter who put the fire on your father foot, what is his name?
Primary Witness: He was bad boy.
Were they many?
Primary Witness: They were many but he was the one doing it.
Which faction was that?
Primary Witness: MODEL
Commissioner Stewart: did they burn any houses?
Primary Witness: They only burned the village house.
Did they rape and force the young boys to join?
Primary Witness: They did not rape and they did not force us to join them but since they were looting us our parents told us to join them and some people join them.
Where is Chai wallie now?
Primary Witness: I don't know where he is.
Commissioner Bull: thank you for your story.
Chairman: did you join the MODEL
Primary Witness: Yes
Did they give you arms?
Primary Witness: Some of us were body guide from them and they not allow us to take their arm that is why we not follow.
Some of the people who join did they do bad things?
Primary Witness: Yes to their own people.
Did they say sorry for what they did?
Primary Witness: No that one woman spirit catch her and she say they must call all the boys to confess so they can forgive them and it happened and today the town is alright now in Nyawayken
Thank you very mush, what your did in the town that is what we want to happened oin the whole of Liberia so that we can all be fine again. Is there anything on your mind to say?
Primary Witness: Yes I want to say my father work with the government from Tolbert time and we na get anything from the government. And the MODEL carry our guns what we were using to help the children ands we cant get it that is what they are living on now. They did bad to us and they kill us because what we are living on that what the carry.
Primary Witness: Yesterday evening I was lying down and they took me and brought me here and my day was lost because I am a farmer
Okay we will discuss that later.
Twenty-Second Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Rose Beweh
(Forth Primary Witness of day three)
The Forth Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Chairman: good afternoon and welcome to the TRC Public Hearings. We want to thank you for taking up your time to come and tell your story to the people of Liberia, River Gee County and the Commissioners of the TRC. you can now tell your story.
Primary Witness: During the war I was on the village and I was pregnant and my husband went to Ivory Coast and he was coming and they arrested him in Kanweaken. The people went to the village and they wanted to have me and I say no and they burned my front hair and they have me and three girls that were there and they have them too.
We want to say sorry for the death of your husband and what they did to you. What they did is wrong because the force you and you did not agree to them. For you to come and say it is very good. Today they are hiding fro what they did and you are here. That is to show that you are not afraid of them.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: When did this happen?
Primary Witness: 1994
What is the name of your husband?
Primary Witness: Sylvester Kannapo
Who did it to you and rthe faction?
Primary Witness: The man name is Robert Togboh, he was there leader, he was Charles Tarlor fighter.
Where did it happen?
Primary Witness: Kanweaken village.
Commissioner Konneh: sorry for what happened, some time there are people who are very wicked. This Tolbert Toe you knew him before the war?
Primary Witness: Yes
Was there any problem between your?
Primary Witness: No
What was he doing?
Primary Witness: He was a farmer
Are you from the same town?
Primary Witness: No he is from Sinoe
Is he still living and where is he?
Primary Witness: He is living and he is in Sinoe in Chillepo
Commissioner Syllah: did you have children with the husband?
Primary Witness: Yes I have four
Where are they?
Primary Witness: In Kanweaken
What are the names of your children?
Primary Witness: Sylvester Kannapo, Quiyou Brown, Gearge Kannapo Backie Kannapo
Is there anybody helping you?
Primary Witness: No
How have you been managing?
Primary Witness: I can make farm
Commissioner Washington: you said that you know this man live in Sinoe?
Primary Witness: Yes he is there
Do you know what he is doing?
Primary Witness: No
When was the last time you heard of him?
Primary Witness: I can see him in Putuken
You say you don't remember any of the other people who were there?
Primary Witness: No
Was any other member of your family hurt besides your husband?
Primary Witness: LPC killed one of my aunties.
How old are your children?
Primary Witness: One is 16, one 12 one is 7 and one is 8
Are they all in school?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Were you able to go to the hospital?
Primary Witness: No that time war was fighting
Commissioner Stewart: sorry for the death of your husband and the bad they did to you. Can you tell us what the LPC did when they came to your area?
Primary Witness: The time the came 1994 round about four while we were sleeping they started shooting and we went in the village and their base was in Kanweaken and hey were going from village and they went on our village and they killed seven person and we ran away and went through the bush to Jakaken and we use to com for food and they came to Jakaken and we ran to Bonniken and the killed my grand pa and my Uncle.
Do you remember who killed these people?
Primary Witness: That Pepper
Did they burn the town?
Primary Witness: Yes the whole town.
They looted and took girls?
Primary Witness: Yes
Who was the commander of the Government solders at the time?
Primary Witness: Robert Tolbert
What was your experience with MODEL?
Primary Witness: They went to our village and they took all of our people and they carry them to town and they looted our things and they tabie but they na kill anybody.
Commissioner Bull: thank you for coming to the TRC
Chairman: we are all sorry for what happened and we have sympathy with you for what happened. Is there any other thing that you want to tell the Liberian people and fellow citizens of river gee?
Primary Witness: No.
Twenty-Third Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Elijah Q. Chea Jr.
(Fifth Primary Witness of day three)
The Fifth Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Chairman: good afternoon and welcome to the TRC public hearings and for taking up your time to come to the hearings to tell your story to the people of Liberia, River Gee County and the Commissioners of the TRC.
What is your name again?
Primary Witness: My name is Elijah Chea.
Primary Witness: It was in 1985 when LPC came to our town. At the time myself who speaking was in Sinoe along with my uncle, when the break up I ran away and I came to my people and told them that the war entered in Jekaken and we scattered . After we escaped he came to Jekaken, we were fighting like tribal war. They captured him and brought him and said this man will be with you. After everything, we will investigate him. That time when they captured him, they will keep him. It came a time hunger was high. He was going to find food he but up with them, the NPFL boys. They were headed by Wonfur Wiadutu, who is the district commander and Lawrence Quaye. They captured the old man, Saa Toe Peter and took him to Juduken road. One woman told me you sitting down they carrying your uncle oh. They were two Zah Toe and Peter Quaye. While they were carrying the man, the district commander came and cut behind the old man foot and I was standing there. That all what happened that I know.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: Thank you for bringing this kind of sorrowful story of the death of your uncle and we empathize with you.
Commissioner Bull: I am sorry for what happened.
Commissioner Stewart: Thank you for sharing this with us and accept our sympathy. You talked about one district commander. What is him name?
Primary Witness: Worfur Wieadotu
How long was he in this position?
Primary Witness: Since the election. He used to take people money when he sees you with bag he will say commissioner not get bag that you get will have bag?
Commissioner Washington Can you call his full name?
Primary Witness: Worful Wiadotu, and he has been commander for about two years.
It seems as thou he was infamous?
Primary Witness: Yes, because that time when you surround yourself with arms , then you have everything.
How he became commissioner?
Primary Witness: I can say he became commissioner by favoritism because, he was not elected but the man that was appointed to the position refused to come and he stays in Monrovia. So the elders appointed him because we can do it by quarters.
Commissioner Dolopei: Good after noon. Thank you for coming to the TRC, and sorry for your experience. But besides this who else did such thing?
Commissioner Syllah: Thank you for coming to sharing your experience. About one Lawrence as friend of this man can you tell where this man is?
Primary Witness: Yelawaken District.
You know why they killed this man?
Primary Witness: They put crime on him that he used to make medicine for LPC.
Commissioner Konneh Can you tell us how this old man Kanped was killed.
Primary Witness: One man cut behind his foot and the other man slaughter him and cut off his head.
Do you know where these people are now?
Primary Witness: They are now living in Government camp.
Do you why the commander did what he did?
Primary Witness: We in town don't know why he die it he or they alone know it.
Chairman: Elijah we want to tell you thank you for coming and sorry for loss. The only question besides the district commissioner, who else you talked about?
Primary Witness: Yes, I called one Zah Toe and Peter Quaye.
Was your uncle buried?
Primary Witness: No,
Do you have any last word?
Primary Witness: Yes, I thank you very much for coming because when somebody do you something, you just have to forget and forgive because nothing you can do. You see, when this thing happened nearly I used to have dreams about it and I used to wake up and pray about it. So I am happened that you people asked today and I put out in the public.
Twenty-Forth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Joseph S. Quenah
(Sixth Primary Witness of day two)
The Sixth Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Chairman: thank you for coming to the TRC to tell your story.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live in Tienbo.
What is your age?
Primary Witness: I am 62 years old.
What are you doing?
Primary Witness: I am making rice farm.
I work with the company GDP. This war time they were looking for Kpelleh people. So I go Karloke. We were going to Ivory Coast at the junction of Juduken the LPC captured us there and carried us to Karloke and tie us there. The General said, you the way you Kpelleh man we will tie you here and they killed 12 persons there. So I was not to make it myself, so they see one pregnant woman coming, so one of them say gentlemen let's see when woman pregnant who the child can be. They open the women stomach and took the baby from there. Then I started crying and they say if you cry we will kill you. That what I say when water dries fish eats fish.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman:
Thank you very much for coming to TRC to let us know what all you went through and to let the Liberian people some of the atrocities that took place in our war so that the government can find a way to put mechanism in play to reward future occurrence of war.
Commissioner Konneh: Sorry for what happened. What were they looking for the Kpelleh people?
Primary Witness: Eh they say we the one gave Charles Taylor place to set down in Bong County.
What is the name of the pregnant woman?
Primary Witness: Kleweh
The people killed any Kpelleh man?
Primary Witness: Nobody can speak tribe there, only English.
Besides the Kpelleh who else they were looking for?
Primary Witness: Minor and Gio.
Commissioner Syllah: Thank you very much for carrying and sorry for the terrible things that happened.
You say they killed 12 and rubbed the blood on your face, who did that?
Primary Witness: LPC.
Do you remember any of their names?
Primary Witness: No
Commissioner Dolopei: So what they did with the body.
Primary Witness: They just leave it there.
Where they came from?
Primary Witness: They came from Zwedru way.
Commissioner Stewart: You went back to your town?
Primary Witness: You fool to go back to your town. No way. I went to Ivory Coast.
Where you staying?
Primary Witness: I was staying right here. I had the company's job.
Commissioner Washington: Who are the two friends you say got lost? You know their names?
Primary Witness: Iye Taye and Borbor Cole.
Chairman: thank you for coming to tell your story is there any Last word you want to share with the Commission?
Primary Witness: I want the TRC to build me some kind of little tash house.
That only tash house you want?
Primary Witness: No, No, (laughter) boss man that you know oh
Do you have children?
Primary Witness: Yes, I have eight children.
Well, we the TRC we hold word. We will make recommendation to the government.
Twenty-Fifth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Sarah Nyan
(Seventh Primary Witness of day two)
The Seventh Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Chairman: Hello mama, how are you are welcome to the TRC public hearings and for taking up your time to come to the hearings to tell your story to the people of Liberia, River Gee County and the Commissioners of the TRC.
Chairman: What is your name?
Primary Witness: My name is Sarah Nyan
When were you born?
Primary Witness: I am 40 years old
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live in Karweaken at the outstretch of the town
What is your current occupation?
Primary Witness: I am farmer
Primary Witness: When the war started, I was in the village, with my husband and three children. When the soldiers came they caught my husband and the children. Then they killed my husband and my three children. When I got there, on the village, I was also caught, they tied me. They cut me with the cutlass on my right knee, and hit the cutlass on my forehead, and they have me and the cutlass goes deep in my flesh and broke my bone.
From there one man by the name of Sackor loosens me and took me to town. From the impact of the incident, I took months before I could come to myself. But now, I can't do any work, when I see other people's children I can cry in my heart, I can't walk far distance now. I am vulnerable because of the death of my children and husband.
That all
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: Sorry for what happened and don't blame yourself for what happened, everything that they did was wrong. Please enjoy your children. What year these things happened?
Primary Witness: It was during the LPC war around 1994, 1995.
What is the name of your husband?
Primary Witness: My husband name is John Nyan
How many children they killed again?
Primary Witness: three children, (2) two boys and one girl
Can give the name and age of the girl?
Primary Witness: Jacqueline Nyan, but I don't know her age
What about the boys:
Primary Witness: Peter was 11 years old and...4 years when they killed them.
Commissioner Bull: Sorry as the chairman say.
Commissioner Steward: what faction did this, was it the LPC?
Primary Witness: yes they chopped me on my arm
Did it touch your bone?
Primary Witness: yes, my bone broke and a mark on my skull. And now I can't work and can't walk any long distance. Even before I could here, I was brought here by vehicle to give my story. I am just looking when I see my friends' children, then I can cry.
Can you give the name of the commander?
Primary Witness: I don't know any of them. I as told earlier, before I entered the village I was also caught and tied and I can't walk long distance at all.
Have ever gone to hospital for treatment?
Primary Witness: since they took me, from that time I never gone to hospital
Beside the three dead children, do you have any other children?
Primary Witness: I have 10 other children, which all in Monrovia and are going to school.
Commissioner Sheilkh: sorry for the death of your husband and your three children. But see that you still have 10 other children. Don't worry. Give your problems to God. Trust God for everything
Chairman: do you have any other things to say?
Primary Witness: I want for TRC to help. I want God to hear my prayer. Because I am useless now my children told me, saying mama we can't all stay with you here and we all suffer. So let us go to Monrovia and learn that after we will help you. I want the TRC to help me send my children to school. My children told me, saying mama we can't all stay with you here and we all suffer. So allow us to go to Monrovia and to go to school that after our graduation then we will help you. I want the Government to help me with some sheets of zinc to build a shelter for me while my children are still in school.
Thank you and you can leave now.
Twenty-Sixth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Elsay Collins
(Eighth Primary Witness of day one)
The Ninth Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Co Chair: welcome and thank you for coming to the TRC to tell your story. The TRC they gave us the work and they say we must go around and listen to what happened in the war and we must carry it to the government so they will know what to do.
Primary Witness: We were on the village then Garran come when the people reach we hear the gun we were on the village so we come to town, and before we reach we see the soldier in the town Garran then they tie all the men them and rhey carry them to Kaliabo and we go in the bush. Then they call us in the town then they bring them back the man say I na come kill. After two days I call my children and my husband and his brother and we went on the farm and we were cooking cassava then the people come and they put gun point on us. They went in the kitchen and they say this woman get plenty food here and collected all the food and they tie my man until they tie his nut see ands I was crying and they say you are crying you will not put the rice down.
The boy what carry them that Nagba Zion he say that you get food here and we hungry, then he take the black plastic and he lit it and he burned me this is the marks on my body. They eat the cassava and my husband was there that in the evening they loosen him. In the evening I went to their big man and I inform him and I show him my hand and he say move from here since they na kill you then you come here. My husband was sick for one month. They came and took my mattress and they went there on my village and they burned the whole village. That the thing what happened to me, me I am a farmer and I can't make farm again and my husband na able to do anything. That what happened to me and my husband.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Co-chairman: sorry for what happened to you. You say you have marks on your fingers? Show it to the man beside you. (finger was shown to the hearings officer)
Commissioner Konneh: what is the condition of your husband today?
Primary Witness: He get nut complain so he is in Monrovia with his brother.
Before he got sick was he alright small?
Primary Witness: Yes that what he go Monrovia
Commissioner Syllah: how are the children now?
Primary Witness: Yes they are there.
Commissioner Washington: sorry for what happened. You mentioned that the MODEL Group leader was Nagba Zion, do you know other name?
Primary Witness: No that the only name I know
Since that time have you heard of him?
Primary Witness: No
Who was Chai Wallie?
Primary Witness: That he was the big man in the town and I carry complain to him.
You heard any other bad thing that they did?
Primary Witness: No
Commissioner Stewart: when did this happen?
Primary Witness: I am a country woman so I don't know
Bedsides the bad thing they did to you did they trouble the children?
Primary Witness: No
Did they burn the town?
Primary Witness: No they only burned my village.
What did they do to the town?
Primary Witness: They trouble the town, they loot, they beat people and they tie people, they catch plenty young girl in the area.
Commissioner Bull: what is the name of your husband?
Primary Witness: Wasley Cooley
What id the name of the big brother taking care of him?
Primary Witness: I don't know.
How long have your husband been inn Monrovia
Primary Witness: Three years now.
Co-Chairman: thank you for coming, before you go is there any message for the people who sent us?
Primary Witness: Since you come for us to talk it and it finish, I thank God and I talk my own and it finish because I am going to church. I finish with it.
We thank you because you have come to say you story and you forgive the people who did it to you.
Twenty-Seventh Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Theresa Choloplay
(Ninth Primary Witness of day one)
The Tenth Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Chairman: Good evening and welcome to the TRC, this is the opportunity for you to tell the people of River Gee County and the Commission your story.
What is your name?
Primary Witness: My name is Theresa Choloplay.
When were you born?
Primary Witness: I was born 1972.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live in Kelebo Karloke. I am a farmer. In 1990, they killed my uncle. He was town chief. AFL when they reached there, they asked my uncle what kind of work you doing here. He say I town chief. They shoot him on the spot in front of our house. Then in 1994, Feb. 28, they killed my mother Choloplay, father. They carried one Victoria's woman. Soon they left, we took the children and started going to the bush. My people carried their side. Then we carried our side my friend and me. Her name was Martina Joe. I was pregnant they say they want to have me. This my friend say then, if that one, that me. I will die today but it can' not happened. They say but you girl you rude eh? They took her and carried her somewhere and they came back and said she was sleeping. They killed her and came back and said they want to have me. And I said but me I too young to die so whatever your want to do you do it. So they had me (wept). The baby I gave birth to today died, too.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Commissioner Bull
Sorry for what happened to you. Is your mother still alive? What is the name of your brother that they killed?
Primary Witness: Grand Choloplay and his woman was Felecia.
Commissioner Konneh: Sorry for what happened to you.
Your uncle Daniel Choloplay which faction killed him?
Primary Witness: That Charles Taylor group. 1990
What about your father and brother who they killed?
Primary Witness: LPC soldiers.
Why you think they killed him?
Primary Witness: Because they were Krahn people.
Who was there NPFL commander?
Primary Witness: General Norriega
How do you feel now?
Primary Witness: Find. I am well.
Commissioner Dolopei: What is your father's name?
Primary Witness: Matthew Choloplay
Chairman: We want to thank you for coming to the TRC for the courage you mange to come. Those who did these bad, bad things to you were cowards and they were not brave. You are a champion. All the commissioners say have our sympathy. Is there any last word that you have to leave with us?
Primary Witness: I get plenty thing to say, you see my father had the largest cocoa farm in the town, but now I don't have any body to help me brush it so it just in the big bush. So I want the TRC to build me my little house and send my child to school.
We hold word. But I try to work on the farm. Farming is good. It feeds the Nations and families.
Twenty-Eighth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public Hearings in
Fish Town City River County
Zico N. Dardieh
(Tenth Primary Witness of day three)
The Tenth Primary Witness of the day was called to the stand and he was accompanied by the psychosocial officer and the protections officer of the TRC. The Primary Witness was then sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth by the TRC Hearings Officer.
Chairman: Good evening and welcome to the TRC, this is a forum organized by the4 people of Liberia and the international community to address all of the outstanding issue that resulted as a result of our conflict and to promote peace and reconciliation in Liberia. Because of that this forum is organize for people to come and speak their mind speak the truth of their experiences in the hope that when all Liberians understand what happened, the truth is spoken we will understand the root cause of the conflict and understand the atrocities committed thus the basis for truth and reconciliation. Everybody who comes forward in the spirit of truth and reconciliation is we
When were you born?
Primary Witness: 1968 October 6
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live in Fish Town
Are you working?
Primary Witness: Yes I am doing some social job with some local NGO and I am a reporter with the local radio station
During the course of our hearings here in fish town, allegations have been made against you who have been well documented and you have come in defense to make submission to the TRC, at this stage the people of the TRC and the people of river Gee are listening to you. Is there any particular reason why you are wearing the dark shase
Primary Witness: Yes I have some eyes problem, but if you insist I can remove them.
You have the floor.
Primary Witness: I want to thank the commissioner for the hark work in the county and through that nation. Before I proceed to my statement I am Mr. Zico Nat Daniels, I live in fish Town, citizen of this county. Before I proceed to my statement I will want to dismiss the allegation level against me by Honorable Solo Teah and other citizens of this county. Just as I introduce myself, I am a free citizen with good character. The charges of killing a lot of Glaro in front of the superintendent house honorable Chea and the cutting of somebody hands and ears and putting nails in somebody foot in front of Christian Chgea house absolutely it is a fabricated lies against me that has the propensity to destroy my good character in my community. Two, the allegation also that Honorable Solo Teah is a direct false and misleading when I did not do as he said. But when it comes to what Papa Casel said is nothing but true. It is true that we organize defense forces, so the allegation is conformed if I get to the statement you will get it clear.
To proceed, after my graduation with Cape Palmas high due to poor finical back ground I started working with a logging company by name MLC/MWPI in Rivegbeh from 88 to 2003 May. Things were actually going on fine until the end of 2001 during the Time of Charles Taylor and we started seeing different things. When the war started coming there were some recruited soldiers that took assignment in Rivergbeh, and at that time the management implemented the mandate from the government of President Taylor and they constructed two barracks, one for the ATU and one for the SOD, they were constructed in Rivergbeh, so they all took assignment right there. At this time situation change, workers movement change and things were not as it used to be.
In that very 2000, the workers asked me to resigned from the company and elected me to be the head of the workers union chairman, because at that time the employees were not treated well, they were not paid for the work they were doing and other things and so we decided to form the union to protect the workers right. So we were the mediator between the management, the government the ministry of labor and he workers. In December 22, 2002 when we got up we saw a long convoy with arm men and women well armed and they came and went to the barracks outside the company camp. And so we were all afraid because we heard of war coming so we were thanking that the people were coming to grab us and so none of the workers went to work. At the time I had 2887 workers under my control. I was taking care of their family when they go to work, that was my job. The workers went on the rampage and said we should invite the management to know why the cars came. So we wrote a document to management and we wanted to have some discussion with them concerning the situation. They accepted us and we had copy of the letter issued to the superintended of this county at that time and other management in the county and we had our copy on file. Already in the meeting we were told that we had no authority about what was happening and the workers should go to work and nothing will happen. There were about 27 cars with arms and ammunitions all over the town it did not go. So we told the people to go to work but it did not go down well with us.
After one day the 29 of the same December, another convoy came at this time it was 17 cars that came alone with one General Dan of the ATU, one Solo Sawea of the ATU General Mike Thousand one of the Biggest General that the pay respect was Big Boy as he called himself, they came alone with Suah and General William Sumo at the office of the general manager. So we went there and they said it was not meant for us. So after the day we all went and after two days, on the 1st of January 2003, we started hearing launching from the whole of Glaro before we knew it we say a lot of people coming from the Ivory Coast, our own Liberian refugees that were residing in the Ivory Coast and some Ivorian. They were coming from a nearby village called Lasite close to the border also which was attacked by some forces from Liberia who were speaking English and French. So right away we went back to the management to ask them what was going on and we said there was attack going on in the Ivory Coast so our workers are concern about this and they said that nothing was going to happen. We were there and we hand no where to go and there was no one to complain to. After few weeks of the attack in the Ivory Coast, the government began to repel the attack in the country, and so all of those that went across stared to come back. At this time, with in two to three weeks time, the base that was in Rivergbeh was extended to Glaro because they had the routs three to go on attack. So most of the generals you could not see them in the town until the week end because they were in Glaro. So after few weeks they started coming to Rivergbeh and when ever they come they will be beating our people and taking things from them. We consider those groups as Laspam because it is the name that we gave them because the use to go and hit and retreat, so with all that condition we went and wrote the county superintendent about what was happening and we could not bear, this cause some of the workers to resign. The condition was so tense in Rivergbeh, we had about 5 different commanders there under Suah and at night you see all of them going around with arms. So in that process Suah came from the border and said there was war in Konebo District and he ask the management to withdraw their machines and that time we never knew what war was, there was war in other part of the country but not here. And later we heard of the attack behind Zwedru. Suah went in the bush and carry some of our worker in the bush and what they attacked and what they did not attack; he said they killed all the rebels in Konebo. But after few days they said the rebels were advancing so what we did because we couldn't bear the condition the we were undergoing so we sent for the superintendent we the citizens that were there so Christian Chai and other officials of government here present to have a meeting and find a way out because during the beginning we had the similar experience from the LPC war. And so what was happening really there was a sign of war in Rivergbeh though not talking of the war coming from Grand Gedeh, and we had the very first meeting in the office of Solo Teih to find the way out and the way out was to form a citizen defense force.
A citizen defense force was formed for the first time in the office of Honorable Solo Teah he was member of the founders, Honorable The, Honorable Bissi Chea and others I have their list also here we agree to form this citizen defense force and he aim and objective of the citizen force was to protect our families, our properties, our children, our towns from the ATU the militias, those that fought in the Ivory Coast and come back and we did not know the intention of MODEL also so we were preparing for them. Mainly to protect ourselves from Suah and his group, so it was not conclude there, the superintendent told us that we alone can not form defense forces we had to have the consent of other counties around so Maryland was invited Grand Kru was invited and part of Sinoe was invited after few weeks we all came here people from Maryland even people from down to Dan Morias who was the superintendent of Maryland at the time, everyone of them came here. We spent three days and we sent for all Zoes around the three counties and we sent for Grand Kru because they had Bees which was use to get rid of LPC in 1995 so we sent for them to bring it. At the end of the third day everybody unanimously agreed to form the defense forces and it was supported by the company because the sometimes give us some food. So after the agreed defense force was formed, people were sent back to form the force in their various places. So that is how we went to Nyentabo and other went to their area. Solo Teah was sent to his area to go and form the forces there. Solo Teah went to Glaro and whether he reach or he na reach, after three days he sent for me and said the people were ready to form the forces, but no way to go there because of the basic schedule. The company management was moving to Harper and wanted to leave me in charge temporarily for the few times so I never wanted to go there. The next two weeks, the cars that were given to me by the same Laspam, it does not mean that we were fighting but we were there only to protect our people. In that arrangement my good people the defense force was already organize, Dan Morrias came here and he send the people of Maryland and he was always here in fish town, I can say he was living here. When he go to Harper two three days he will come here. After the management couldn't bear it they brought rice for the local authorities and called me and said Mr. Dadiah we want to go to Harper, we will leave some people on ground and they will be working along with you. Let us see how the next three months will be, so they left me in charge of the factory, they left me with sufficient rice and small money. So I was there in and the tension continue to be high and the people continue to fight in the Ivory Coast and they government of that country captured their area back and the people started coming back home.
So one afternoon Suah came from the Glaro area and said there was a war in Glaro. War way behind Zwedru then Glaro where people came from yesterday that the place you say war coming from, because I know there was no war there and I got the information from my people. So during the war, Suah is not a brother to me, he is from Nimba and I am from this County, but Suah after the fighting of the Laspam and other things that went on, he had the Glaro boys with him, all his two body guides were Glaro boys, they even went so far and gave him a wife, a very beautiful woman. So I don't know why he did what I know, and what I will talk about, because during that time if he enter Glaro he will have rapper to walk on. So for he to come and say the Glaro people were against him, that the information one Solo Nynaway and one of the man who was driving for him they called Frances Wallace came and said Suah was taking some of the people from the town and carrying them to go and kill them. After certain time Suah took my car from me and took my driver that I was using called Carus Balley, he is presently in Monrovia and I have his number here, you can get in contact with him and he carry him. They stayed there the whole of the day and in the evening they came back and had a lot of human beings in the car so so Glaro citizens some that I know some I do not know. The second car behind was the car with the properties, mattresses and many other things. So I was thinking that it was the Ivory Coast things that they were bringing so when the driver put those things down he came to me and I asked him if the people were internally displaced and he said no the thing that happened that na small thing, we are just from Sallah he and one other soldier guy they called him Imam and Dadieh Nympan he is presently here in River gee as I speak, he was one of the body guides with one Sylvester Williams, one Sea Never Dry he said they were all just from Sallah. Suah managed to carry on destruction, he burned the whole of Sallah down and he collected these people from there and some of them came form Uboh and other places. So me and my deputy went to him to enquire what went on and he said now now the whole area of Glaro is under the control of MODEL. The fighting that went on in Sallah was not small, they took my arms from me and they houses are on fire right now from the fighting. So we started concentrating what next to do, at that time we could not get any information from the management at the time. They left and started going down to Harper. So I wrote a letter to the superintendent and informed him about the situation and I have the letter here right now. The next evening at that time the Laspam still there they never leave, they were around, and they say the fighting in and around the area of Glaro. So right away I saw General Paul Gbah coming with Kia Motto in the motto I saw one Nor Freeman who was once my class room teacher he was teaching in Glaro at the time and I was in the seven grade. So I made him up among the people and I went to him to ask him what was happening and he said the man say we connive that is why we are here, so we wanted to see reason into what happened. General Paul Gbah said he was not talking to anybody, he said anybody who wanted to talk to him should go there the next morning. The next morning when we went there he as they had escaped, that was the first group, then the second group, had to go to Suah to call one Moses Zuo you know I never really knew who were civilians because all of them behind Suah were considered soldiers, Sual called Moses in the public and said he was the one he gave the arms about 10 AKs which was given to him that is what they are using to fight him so he was a conniver and as a soldiers if you connive you have to be killed. Right before us as I am before us as I am before my God today, Suah ordered the soldier to tie Moses Zuo and he ordered one of the Glaro boys who is his immediate body guide to kill him.
I felt no more good to live in Rivergbeh to live among these people, because I was living there and they have the fuel and rice that belong to the factory but I felt I could not be there again because of what was happening, because if you talk anything they will say you connive so I went to Gbarwelken in Tuobo. I never knew that Suah had been transferring people to Tuobo until when I go there because it was my father's and I went to my own house. When one of the workers the call Loranzo Taiwo went to me the next day to visit and he said boss man Zico something happening here and I sad what happened can you imagine Suah brought some people in jail here he and Sumo and the Commander here called Emmanuel Zar the commander of the town and every night Suah will go and collect them from the jail and carry them behind the school or to the river gee bridge towards the Harper high way, for two three nights now he has done it. So I say tell me something, we have to look in it before something happen. a gentlemen who was fired that night when he collected some people here because myself who speaking I am a living witness with them because he said if you don't go your life is not safe that is how he carry us and I was there and he put the people on line and I was given a cutlass but I did not use it. So after we came to town the next morning the gentleman walked from there with all the chapping marks on him and he came to town and he went to the management office and they were running and he said don't run away come, last night the operation your carry on my friend die but I did not die, the condition I am in is not conducive for me to live and so I want you to kill me. so they grab him and the put him inside and what they did to him I don't know.
As so when he told me this I was shock, I thought he was only in Rivergbeh, but he is now here too, and so before I talk about the MODEL story and other story, when I heard and read the news paper that I kill 216 person in Toubo Gbarwelken when I don't have an idea about this I was surprise that is why I am here to make a verification. So I went to Rivergbeh because I was hulling my things small and I was living in the bungalow I was not living in the camp. When I went for my things that night Iven Quayee went to me one of my employees and said my boss man two person escape Suah wanted to kill them they are with me so I want you to help them. I sad who are those, he said they are Grand Gedehens so you must carry them tonight. So I say okay I want to see them and when I went to see them they were my own fighters. Those guys were one Francis Doe and one Nuah Gbaduo, I took them on bikes and carried them to Tuobo Gbarwelken. They were with me but they couldn't stay there because Suah was always paying visit to us on that side so I took them from there and took them to one village in Dorrobo for them to be there.
After certain time when MODEL came through and capture Gbarwelken the young man called Francis Doe decided to come to town because his family was among the people who came and he came and join them and the MODEL came through and went to Pleebo way. But the Baddio guy is presently in Zwedru and I have his contact number here anybody who wants to take to him can get it. One morning as these guys were advancing from Sinoe junction coming towards Putukan so when we came back here Suah and some of his generals were here and they went to Maryland. Then one morning the people from here took back pass to go to Jakaken so they said the superintendent of this county connive with MODEL this is why they took back pass to go to Jakaken. So when they were saying this Christian Chea was not there at that time I left him in Sapo Sweaken and I came here with my car. So he General Sumo, General Dan and General Paul Gaye all of them were having Turaya phones and they were communication and the communication was for them to have Christian Chea arrested and send him over to Monrovia. So when I heard it I went to find him and I met him in Sapo Sweken and I called him and told him and I said chief I am giving you first hand information that I got from Sumo I was there when they were talking, that you should be arrested and carried to Monrovia because you connived by letting MODEL to take back pass and go to his home so just find your way here and go to Harper or Gbarwelken because at that time the Sumo man was in Christian Teah House. So he never came back here and he went straight to Gbarwelken and we were waiting and that evening all of them were going. They will go to Sinoe and Putoken and after fighting they will come back to Rivergbeh, because it was a place of mix rebels.
So in the evening as soon as I arrived with my pickup it did not take long and Honorable Dan Morrias was in his house in Gbarwelken he had his Turaya phone in his hands and he was communicating General Eric of ATU he said where is Mr. Chea and he said he and myself were around here he was right here so he said he went up there. The next thing I could see was Eric holding Mr. Chea with the trousers bringing him to my house where Morriah was. When he got there he started shooting him with the pestle but gun could not do anything to him at the time so he started beating him with the pestle and he was bleeding from all over his body. So he begin to ask what have I done, Morriah what have I done but Morriah continue to talk what he was talking on the phone and I was alone and they were more them five men beating him so I could not do anything and they put him in the car and they carry him and took him from there and what happened I don't know. The next morning we were intending coming
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