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The Second Day of the TRC Public Hearings Proceedings
held on Tuesday April 22nd, 2008 at the Bopolu
City Hall, Gbarpolu 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.
Eighth Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Bopolu, Gbarpolu County
Amos Dolo
(First Primary Witness of day two)
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: Thanks very much
for coming to the TRC to tell your story and experience. Please tell us your
name again.
Primary Witness: My name
is Amos Dolo.
When were you born?
Primary Witness: I was
born July 24, 64.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live Folokelleh.
What do you do for a living?
Primary Witness: I am a farmer.
Primary Witness: I was in
Harbel, Firestone 1990, war broke. I went to the factory about 12:00, I saw
rebels across the Farmeto
River and the town was not
easy. I went on the Division we use to go to Harbel. They say Prince Johnson
attacked Harbel, my sister and my self we went Kakata. One of my friends asked
me to carry him New Kakata, when we went we saw some soldiers and they told us
that we came to spy on them. They beat us and they took my money. One of my
friends was with them name Paul, he talk with them and they free us. They took
care of us and give me treatment. And we went Totota and I went Harbel. Then we
came 1991, in Bopolu. 1993, ULIMO entered we toot load going up and down.1993,
April NPFL people start running over the town. No way to escaped they kill some
people. They told us to come outside, they told me to naked myself and they put
the hot knife in my left arm. My blood was shooting we went far off and I felt
down, I was there until around 3:00 o'clock, I start crying the blood all over
me. They put me in the wheel burry we came no way they put me in car and carry
me in Sudish Relief and operated on me and the pappy who carry me went and told
the people say thanks and we came back.
When we came again, 2002, LURD
came and I told my wife said let's go. My wife was pregnant for nine months and
had four children with her. My son felt in fire that was another trouble again.
LURD sent for us again and I told my wife say she was pregnant. One morning
again, the town was outside down. They told us they were carrying every body and
they took some of us. When we got in town, they took us to Guinea and we spent almost I month.
When we got there, no food we brought ammunitions. Since there was no food to
eat, we told them to assigned soldiers with us so we could go and look for food.
When we went small small attack use to take place, Government troop came and captured
and I told my wife we had to go and we went firestone that what happen to me.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: When LURD enter
Folokelleh, 2002, was it the first or second part?
Primary Witness: First.
What month?
Primary Witness: February
What is the commander's name?
Primary Witness: Oforee
When did ULIMO split?
Primary Witness: 1993,
after I returned from the hospital
Which ULIMO?
Primary Witness: ULIMO K
Commissioner Syllah: The
child that got burn, how is he now? And how did you managed with him during
that time?
Primary Witness: One woman
use to help us to treat him. He is okay.
Your wife, how is she?
Primary Witness: She
delivery safely.
The civilian attack how was it
like?
Primary Witness: 1993, they killed some people one James died
and plenty people.
What reason?
Primary Witness: They said
we were supporting ULIMO.
What was the commander's name?
Primary Witness: I was not
to myself, I can't remember.
So you say they put you in the
wheel burry?
Primary Witness: Yes.
How was the condition like?
Primary Witness: Just like
they put cut row meat.
Commissioner Stewart: How
many people were carry for arm mentions?
Primary Witness: We were
many. Every where we reach they will take people from there.
Who was in control?
Primary Witness: Guinea soldiers
The name of the commander who
carry your?
Primary Witness: ULIMO K-1
What your use to eat?
Primary Witness: We use to
eat wide yams.
Who give you're the arms?
Primary Witness: Guinea soldiers
They carried your to the border
or the town?
Primary Witness: No to the
border from Yekama we toot it.
What kind of arms?
Primary Witness: AK and
other arms.
How many weeks?
Primary Witness: Two
weeks.
What were their soldiers eating?
Primary Witness: They used
to cook for them
Commissioner Washington: You
described that Liberians toot arms from Guinea,
so were they in collaboration with Guinea soldiers?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Any name of the Guinea soldiers?
Primary Witness: No.
Besides the commander of LURD, is
there any other person in charge?
Primary Witness: One other
Sam Tarlor.
How many emanations you think
they brought in?
Primary Witness: I
remember two pick-up.
The size?
Primary Witness: Two
pick-up trucks
Was it full with emendations?
Primary Witness: Yes.
You stayed two weeks, what was
the general condition?
Primary Witness: Bringing
the ammunitions was risky. We had to find food so it we bad off.
Was women and children evolved?
Primary Witness: No.
Older men?
Primary Witness: Yes.
What was their response?
Primary Witness: They had
to cope with it.
Can you share your experience
with us during the time you were cut with the knife?
Primary Witness: We were in
new Kakata, when Prince Johnson was in Du-side.
Which group?
Primary Witness: NPFL
How did you get hurt?
Primary Witness: By bullet
I was hit.
So they attempted to kill you?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Where?
Primary Witness: On my
left arm.
The battle front commander, what
did he do?
Primary Witness: Well, I
did not pay attention.
Commissioner Dolopei: To
carry you back from 1992, how many persons died?
Primary Witness: I can't
tell
You were attack by INPFL, tell us
who was there?
Primary Witness: One Mark
Ta-zinc
The people who put you outside,
how many were they?
Primary Witness: I can't
remember
Was there NPFL in Totokolleh?
Primary Witness: No NPFL.
They came from Monakollie way.
Besides ULIMO K-1, any other
name?
Primary Witness: No, only
K-1 I know.
You know where K-1 or Sam Tolay
is?
Primary Witness: No.
Who was the small, small attack
from?
Primary Witness: NPFL
What they used to do?
Primary Witness: They use
to fight back.
What's about the civilians?
Primary Witness: For civilians,
they use to run away.
Commissioner Coleman: Your
father and mother stayed alive?
Primary Witness: No.
Did they die
before the war?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Is it because of the war?
Primary Witness: No.
Did any other persons die in your
family?
Primary Witness: My sister
two daughters die.
How many children do you have?
Primary Witness: Five
children
Your wife?
Primary Witness: She is
alright
April 3, attack, NPFL you said
you used to live in Totokolleh?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Did they burn houses?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Did ULIMO force people to carry
arm in Guinea?
Primary Witness: No.
It was under LURD you carry
emendations from Guinea.
What year was that?
Primary Witness: 2002.
How many persons carry your?
Primary Witness: I can't
estimate
Did you go empty handed to Guinea?
Primary Witness: No. I was
carrying computer desk and my brother was carrying TV desk.
What did they give you to carry
from Guinea?
Primary Witness: Cigarette
bags I carry because I was wounded.
Commissioner Konneh: Sorry
for all that you went through. Where is D-side? And who enter there?
Primary Witness: Is in
Firestone, Margibi
Which fraction Prince Johnson
came from?
Primary Witness: INPFL
Who put you in the hole?
Primary Witness: NPFL
Who fighter?
Primary Witness: NPFL
fighter
Who said to you I will kill this
one?
Primary Witness: NPFL
ULIMO K, what was their
treatment?
Primary Witness: We used
to feed them and toot their load.
Did they force people to recruit?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Force people wives?
Primary Witness: No.
Did they loot?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Did ULIMO bring emanations from Guinea?
Primary Witness: I can't
remember
Where were you when ULIMO came?
Primary Witness: Totokelleh
LURD did they burn any house?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Did they recruit?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Force people wives?
Primary Witness: No.
Did they loot?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Was there a motor road to where
you went or bush road?
Primary Witness: Some
part. But we came from Fasama
Which border?
Primary Witness: When you
pass Makuna River.
Chairman: Thanks very much
where was LURD head quarter?
Primary
Witness: In Bopolu. Then we brought it in Fasama, they brought it
here in a truck. This used to be their base.
Is there any last word before you
leave?
Primary Witness: I tell
TRC thank you and the commissioners for us to express ourselves. I want your to
help me, and also our community with school for our children and also help me
to follow up my treatment.
Commissioner Dolopei: Is
there no school?
Primary Witness: School
there but elementary
How many houses?
Primary Witness: About
300.
Ninth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public
Hearings in
Bopolu, Gbarpolu County
Alfred Kollie
(Second Primary Witness of day two)
The Second 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: Thanks very much
for coming to the TRC to tell your story and experience. Please tell us your
name again.
Primary Witness: Can you
please tell us your name again?
Can you tell us your date of
birth?
Primary Witness: I am 48 years.
Do you live here in Bopolu?
Primary Witness: No, I from Totokolleh.
What do you do for living?
Primary Witness: I am Farmer.
Primary Witness: 1990,
during 1990, we heard that war was coming. That time I was in Totokolleh. We
left in Totokolleh, when they attack the town. They came and they kill one of
our brothers call Morris Samukai. So when they kill Morris, we all left the
town and ran to the bush. So NPFL said if we don't come to the town when they
catch us they will kill us. That other war didn't give us hard time. The only
hard time it gave us was for us to tote their loads we the civilians. So times,
if you lucky, they will give you food that other war didn't give us hard time.
So we were here and we her about ULIMO,
so when they came, they arrested one papie, and they ask him, he say we live
here but all the people ran away and went in the bushes. They say we should
leave the bushes they will take care of us. So we came out, they started giving
us load to carry to the river bank, not knowing they wanted to captured Bong
mines, but we didn't know because we are civilians and they never told us. That
how come we carry their loads and they came they got an attack and they started
fighting. So they told us they will not let us go or else we will carry the
news. So when we came back, we hear say they na split. They say ULIMO split;
they call them selves ULIMO J and ULIMO K. the Krahn people and the Mandingo
people split. That other war was not easy again.
So we say there until everything
cool down. So we were in the town again making gardens fore our children
because we had plenty children with us. So we hear say again, that another war
coming they call it LURD war. So we got scared, we were ran away. So one old
man was among us, they call him Sayleh. He was old. So he say I am old, let me
go in the town and see who is there, because when they kill me, they wont get
any thing from me So he came in to the town, they arrested him and ask him.
Where are the others here? He say every body in the bush because we are afraid.
So they say go and call the people, we are here to free you people. So they
give the old man 2 days to get all the people they will kill him. So he came
and told me, and I told the people. So I pass the news to every body, every
kitchen. So we all got together and we started coming. So we all gather. But
who will be the first to get out. But I say a man death is only once so I took
the lead. When we came, I had a watch on my hand, so when we got to the check
point I heard halt. Then he ask me who are you? I say that Alfred Kollie. So he
say put the load down, take out the watch and turn your back and leave. So I
did.
When we got to the town we were
there then one day one man saw me and ask me where are you coming from? So I
say I came to the hospital. So he started beating me with the gun and he carry
me in the town, inside Bopolu here. So when I came, I saw every body lined up.
So I say but I say I from the hospital then you beating me like this, he say if
you talk, I will make you the chicken for your friends. So I shout up, because
I don't want to die. So the took us and
say we should carry their load to Guinea. So I say I coming die now
because to walk from here to Guinea?
I na only walk from here Tom Fasalmah. They say we should go. So we carry their
gun shots and the cigarettes and things. So when we got to the river, we saw
the other group them, that how come, we reach Guinea again. So we were with them.
They say you must not say you tired, if you say you tired, they will kill you.
Even the people that was sick, since they know that they were coming to die,
they told them. But when were there, so me, I na like soldiers business so I na
use to get close to them. So I told my wife, I will call her with sign, when
she come, so she will give me food. So I was in the bush for 2 months, one old
kitchen that use to be there, that there I was staying so I stayed in that
bush, one day my wife say come in the town now, because they na recruiting
people again, even the people they were hunting na come back, so come back. I
say I will come my own time. So my wife uncle came and said I should come back,
he say even if they recruit you, you will go and if you die, that it. So come
to the town. I say if my time comes I will come to the town, because these
people can pity us when they won't do something. So that how I use to come to
the town and hear some things from the people. So that how we leave there until
the war finish and they disarm. So that how I was in the farm, I had my
daughter; they came and took the girl. So one day I was on the farm, I just
hear on the ground, the boy was behind me, so I laid down he say I na want see
your ear, if I see your ear, I will kill you. So my wife say and that Blackie
pa there? Because they use to call her Blackie, you know she black, even
blacker then me, so when my wife said that he left me, he say sit down, I sat
down, he say look at your face there, say yes, thank God you na kill me. Then he say but I can walk here for nothing,
so laid down I will beat you, so I laid down and they give me 5 on my back,
when I got up, he give us on tight of meat and say my wife should cook it so we
can eat, so she was force to cook it, and we ate. So he say that me your
daughter with, but I will bring her back you hear? So after two weeks I saw her
coming back. So that the one there I forget to talk.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Commissioner Syllah: I want to say thank you for coming to share
your story with the TRC. Where is your
daughter?
Primary Witness: She lives
in Monrovia.
How did he get your daughter?
Primary Witness: They free
us, and they say we should come and sell so she came to sell. That how he
caught her.
So he was sleeping with her?
Primary Witness: Yes.
And how long did she stay with
him?
Primary Witness: 2 weeks.
And how old was she?
Primary Witness: She was
21 years old.
How was life with the NPFL?
Primary Witness: They only
use to tell us to carry their loads, and besides one man that they kill.
What is his name?
Primary Witness: Morris
Samukai.
You said LURD had women and men
on the line, how old were the women?
Primary Witness: I can't
tell because we were from every where.
But were they able to carry
loads?
Primary Witness: Yes,
because we were forced.
What is the name of the
commander?
Primary Witness: Oforia.
Is that the only name you
remembered?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Commissioner Steward: when
NPFL came first, what happen there?
Primary Witness: It was in
the night, they kill one man.
What is his name?
Primary Witness: Morris
Samukai.
Was there any time they attacked
using plane?
Primary Witness: No.
Commissioner Dolopei: did
any body die from you?
Primary Witness: No.
After he brought her back, did he
come back for her?
Primary Witness: No.
How can we get her?
Primary Witness: It is not
easy to get her because there is no money.
What is her full name?
Primary Witness: Sando
Kollie
Commissioner Coleman: than
you for sharing with us. Are you married still?
Primary Witness: Yes.
They same lady the soldier told
you to cook for her?
Primary Witness: No.
Did you people separate?
Primary Witness: Yes.
What happen for your to separate?
So the soldiers never did any thing to woman?
Primary Witness: Before
me, I did not see any one, only my daughter.
Was it because of the war, are
you close now?
Primary Witness: Yes, but
she in Monrovia.
Did she have a child during that
time?
Primary Witness: No.
What is the name of that brave
man?
Primary Witness: Old man
Sayleh.
How was the struggle between the
two forces that was fighting?
Primary Witness: I was not
there, so I can't tell.
So what is the name of your wife?
Primary Witness: Maim
Kollie.
Are you remarried?
Primary Witness: Yes.
How many children do you have?
Primary Witness: 3
children, they were 5 but two die.
Commissioner Konneh: do
you remember any old lady Kpanah?
Primary Witness: No.
Do you remember any body call
papie Ballah?
Primary Witness: Yes.
What happen to him?
Primary Witness: He died
during the war.
Do you remember any one call
Naiboy?
Primary Witness: No.
During your stay here, and NPFL
fighting, do you remember them fighting with the helicopter came to bomb?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Do you know if civilian was
killed?
Primary Witness: No, only
one woman was wounded.
Do you know any soldier call
general bold frog?
Primary Witness: No.
When NPFL came, 1990, you said
you were in the bush?
Primary Witness: We were
not in the bush, we were in the town, and we ran to the bush.
After you people came to the town
were you treated well?
Primary Witness: Yes, the
only problem was for us to carry their loads.
You say when ULIMO came, you were
in the bush, but they went for you?
Primary Witness: Yes, to g
for their gun shoots so they can attack Bong Mines.
So did they attack?
Primary Witness: Yes, we
only use to carry their load, there was even attack and they say we should not
run. So we stay with them until they ceased.
Were you affected when they
split?
Primary Witness: I can't
tell, but we ran because they say the Krahn people were more powerful.
Were you affected?
Primary Witness: I did not
see any one being mal treated.
Do you remember the 52 people
that you were arrested with being tempered?
Primary Witness: One die,
they fell in an arm bush and he die.
Was it LURD or who?
Primary Witness: It was
LURD's enemy that set the arm bushed.
Are you calling Taylor government soldiers s NPFL?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Was there ever massacre in
Totokolleh?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
can remember, that was the time; they shot the man who left from here.
Can you tell us something about
that?
Primary Witness: Yes, we
were lying down, and we heard gun sounds, and all of us started running. And he
said that one of my uncle's was killed.
What is his name?
Primary Witness: Ballad
Quah. And one other man, and is wife, I don't know their names, and they kill
his ma, her name was Gbango.
But do you k now the number of
people they kill?
Primary Witness: No, but
when they were carry him, they kill two people, one name
Morris and the other name, I can
call him Karmuan.
So what did they do to them?
Primary Witness: I don't
know, but some of them never came back, but we hear some of them living in
other people's town.
Chairman: Alfred, when
general Oforia was in the town did he recruit some of the town's children?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Can you tell us their names?
Primary Witness: I was
number one, when they told us to get on the line, I started crying because in
my life, I get 7 children, they were 10 but 3 died so I was thinking about who
will take care of them. So I started crying. When he reach to me, he kicked me,
he say woman. So I was happy, and he never bothered me again.
Can you call their names?
Primary Witness: One
Zangpalia, Vamuyan, Bedfeet and Kweawu.
How long did that operation go
on?
Primary Witness: It took
us long time, about 4 months.
We want to say thank you for the
information and all the suffering you went through, we say sorry. Is there any
thing on your mind, any thing you want to tell the TRC?
Primary Witness: First of
all I want to say thank you for coming to listen to us, and I want to say I am
wounded from them because I get open mold from the hard work. And lastly, for
your to help us build schools for our children them in Totokolleh.
Tenth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public
Hearings in
Bopolu, Gbarpolu County
Mulbah Sheriff
(Third
Primary Witness of day two)
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.
Chairman: Thanks for
coming to the TRC. The TRC is all about finding reconciliation and peace
amongst all Liberians; that's why we are here so we all can put the pieces
together. Can you please tell us your name?
Primary Witness: My name is Mulbah Sheriff.
What is your age?
Primary Witness: I am 22 years old.
What do you do for living?
Primary Witness: I am a Carpenter
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: In live here in Bopolu.
Please tell us your story.
Primary Witness: We were here in Bopolu as a
student, we heard about LURD and we went and prepared a place for us to hide if
the war should come. While we were in the in our hiding place, we saw 4 men
entered the village and arrested all of us and brought us to Bopolu. When got
in town, they put 4 of my brothers in jail and later they released them after 2
days. When they released my brothers, we went back into our hiding place. But
each time, the soldiers will come and harassed us. They kept harassing us until
one day I told our father we were going to join the rebels since they kept
embarrassing us. My father agreed and me and my brother went and join the
rebels. When we join, they gave us training right here on the football field.
We took five weeks for the
training and after that, they sent us to Bomi. When we got in Bomi, fighting
opened between LURD and the Government troops; while fighting in Bomi, our
ammunitions finished and we had to retreat to Gangba; while we were in Gangba,
the Government troops came again and we ran to Lofa. While in Lofa, Government
troops came there but they were defeated.
After few days, our chiefs
arrested about 900 persons and we went in Guinea for ammunitions. When we
brought the ammunitions, we started attacking government troops and we captured
Clay, and Bo Waterside and the civilians were freed. We decided to go fight for
the first time that we called World War I, and we fell in government troop's ambush
between Combat Camp and Clay; as God would have it, we escaped. After two days,
we again decided to go on World War II and we fell in government troop's ambush
again and in that one, my brother was killed and I also got wounded. After we
retreated, we planned World War III and we were so strong that we went all the
way to Freeport and to the New Bridge
when the war ended.
Nobody treated me bad when I was
with the LURD forces during the whole war but the only thing that hurt me was
that one Sumo Johnson who was the Combat Medics in LURD promised to send me to
school after the war, but since the war ended, he has not had time to send me
to school. Presently, I am not going to school, that's the main thing that is
hurting me.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: Do you ready
want to go to school?
Primary Witness: Yes.
How your brother died?
Primary Witness: When we went on attack during the
second war, we fell in government troop's arm-bush between Combat Camp and Clay
and he was killed by the enemies.
Commissioner Stewart:
Where was the training base where your did your training?
Primary Witness: Right on the football field in
Bopolu here.
You people were how many on the
training base?
Primary Witness: We were more than 30 persons.
Who was your Training Officer?
Primary Witness: They used to call him Jungle Boot.
Is he still living?
Primary Witness: I cannot tell.
Who was you commander on the
arm-bush?
Primary Witness: General Oforie commonly known as
Iron Jacket.
Where your carried the 900
persons for the arms?
Primary Witness: In Kwayanma in Guinea.
How your went through Guinea
Securities?
Primary Witness: Only the big people will talk to
the securities and they always leave us to go.
Do you know the people who
brought the arms to LURD in Guinea?
Primary Witness: LURD forces will go to the barrack
in Guinea
and bring the arms.
Where you used to get the arms
from through Bo Water-side?
Primary Witness: We used to go Roberts Port
and when the ship comes, the fishing boat will go for it and bring it in
Robertsport and divide it among the forces that were based around Bo-Waterside.
LURD had foreigners as fighters?
Primary Witness: Yes, some Guineans and Sierra
Leonean.
How you know that they were from Guinea and Sierra Leone?
Primary Witness: They used to speak Mandingo and
Sierra Leone English.
They had Guinean soldiers with
LURD?
Primary Witness: No, only the Guinean civilians who
took training there in Guinea
that joined LURD.
How was the situation with your in
Monrovia?
Primary Witness: It was very hard because most of
the Gbandi boys who joined LURD did not know Monrovia and so many of them were killed.
What orders they gave to your in Monrovia?
Primary Witness: We were asked to go and capture Monrovia.
You were present when LURD
captured Freeport?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Why your retreated from Freeport for the first
time?
Primary Witness: Because our ammunitions finished.
Who was responsible for the
operation at Freeport?
Primary Witness: Our battalion that went to the Freeport was commanded by
one Eagle.
Who was General Sheriff?
Primary Witness: He was the Chief of Staff of LURD.
Is he still alive?
Primary Witness: No.
Who was your Chief?
Primary Witness: Flomo Johnson.
Where they took the things they
looted from Freeport?
Primary Witness: They carried to Guinea through Sierra Leone.
How old were you at the time?
Primary Witness: I was 18 years old.
Did you disarm?
Primary Witness: Yes.
You went through the Training
Program?
Primary Witness: Yes, I did Carpentry.
Where?
Primary Witness: Here in Bopolu.
Commissioner Coleman: Are
your parents still alive?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Anybody died from you during the
war besides your brother?
Primary Witness: No.
How old are you now?
Primary Witness: 22 years old.
Are you married?
Primary Witness: No.
Where was LURD headquarters in
Lofa?
Primary Witness: In Voinjama.
Where was the headquarters in
Gbarpolu?
Primary Witness: Here in Bopolu.
What about their headquarters in Cape Mount?
Primary Witness: In Robertsport and Bo Waterside.
Do you know where they used to
get the arm from in Sierra
Leone?
Primary Witness: No, I only used to see the arms.
Commissioner Dolopei: Is
Iron Jacket the same as Oforei?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Who is K-I?
Primary Witness: I do not know him.
Who was K-I in LURD?
Primary Witness: A Body-Guard Commander to Sekou
Demateh Conneh
Who your father gave you to?
Primary Witness: Flomo Johnson
Who was Flomo Johnson?
Primary Witness: He was the Combat Medics for LURD,
he encouraged me to join so that after the war he can sent me to school but had
failed to do that.
How General Sheriff died?
Primary Witness: I only heard that he has died
after the war.
What is the name of the base in Guinea
where your used to go for the ammunitions?
Primary Witness: They called the place Kwayanma.
What is the name of your brother
that was killed by government troop?
Primary Witness: Blama.
What was his fighting name?
Primary Witness: Small Konah.
What was your fighting name?
Primary Witness: Sheriff.
Commissioner Stewart: Can
you please describe the different arms LURD used in the war?
Primary Witness: Yes, we used 60, muscle (RPG), AK,
SNG, MOTAR, etc.
Describe how the mortar looks.
Primary Witness: That the small ones we were using
to launch Monrovia.
What was the target?
Primary Witness: We wanted to capture mansion but
it was not easy.
Which country the guns used to
come from?
Primary Witness: I do not know.
Commissioner Dolopei:
Where is the man who promised to sent you to school after the war?
Primary Witness: He is in town.
Where in town?
Primary Witness: In Marwolo town, near Lott Cary
mission.
Do you think that the trade you
learned can send you to school?
Primary Witness: No, it is hard because there is
contract here.
Chairman: Were you part of
World War I, war war-II, and war war-III?
Primary Witness: Yes.
What was the mission of all these
wars?
Primary Witness: We wanted to capture the whole of
Monrovia but is was not easy because
most of the boys did not know Monrovia, that's the reason why we retreated many
times; but when we got a container full
of arms and ammunitions, we came with force and was able to captured Freeport
and the New bridge.
Was Sekou Damateh Conneh always
on the frontline?
Primary Witness: No.
They people gave your protection
before your went to the frontline?
Primary Witness: Yes, they gave us LASYMON and it
used to make us brave and when God help you, nothing will happen to you.
What you did with your own?
Primary Witness: I still have it.
Chairman: Is there anything else on your mind that you
want to tell us?
Primary Witness: Yes, but I want to ask your few questions.
What you people will do for us so that will be satisfied?
Chairman: You get to tell us what you want.
Primary Witness: Okay, what's about my education
business?
That one there is not hard, you
now talking for all the other fighters who are not able to come to the TRC.
What are some of the things you
used to do on the frontline?
Primary Witness: I did not harass anybody because
my father advice me not to do such.
Did you see your friends kill
some civilians?
Primary Witness: No.
Did you cry on the frontline?
Primary Witness: No, I was very brave.
Commissioner Dolopei: what
was the grade you sopped in before the war?
Primary Witness: 5th grade.
Why you did not go to school
after the DDRR program when they were sending most of your friends to school?
Primary Witness: I was above 18 years; only people
that were below 18 years were allowed to go to grade school.
What are some of the name of the
Commanders of LURD?
Primary Witness: Iron Jacket, Chief Tarley, Chief
Konah, K-I, SK, Arthur Bull, etc.
What's about Mortar Papay?
Primary Witness: He was old and could do anything.
Why K-I killed him?
Primary Witness: He killed him for looting.
Where are some of your friends
that were fighting with you?
Primary Witness: Some are in Monrovia with their relatives, some are in
school and others are in other places.
Eleventh Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Bopolu, Gbarpolu County
Yassah Karmon
(Fourth Primary Witness of day two)
The Fourth 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: Thanks very much
for coming to the TRC to tell your story and experience. Please tell us your
name again.
What is your name again?
Primary Witness: I am
Yassah Karmon.
How old are you?
Primary Witness: I am
36years old.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live in
Balama Bomi.
What don you do for a living?
Primary Witness: I am a
farmer.
Primary Witness: Yes, what
happen during the war, LURD came. We heard heavy weapon sound. Then I told my
husband say I heard gun sound. I was afraid because I was not here during the
first war. My husband sent me out of the country. I told my husband say I want
go in town. After that I used to transact business. I bought some things from
town then we went in the bush. I was pregnant for four months and we left there
until one day we heard helicopter sound, then my husband sister say let go in
the bush. LURD went to attack government troop. I was in my six months one
woman use to check me. It was getting serious now so, we wanted to leave but we
left all of our things there, one pack of ram, 2packs of mapo and salt. One man
came and took my son they call him Wolobah, so we started going in the bush
because they told us that their chief gives order that we were supporting
government troop. When we were going, my husband say I should move from behind
him, I don't know weather he thought I was going to die. I say no, any where
you go I will go. Just like in the Bible. Before we reached to the kitchen,
they were finish taking all that we had I left with one lapper. While we were
going, my little brother was tooting my load and they said I should take my own
load. I took it and put it on my head. The commander came and told us to get
outside. So I went to my sister in Madina to visit. The next day, the attack
was not easy. I stay there, in Madina, the helicopter came it stay long in the
air they wanted to know weather bomb was there. The soldier boy that was there
went and put his clothes and took his gun. I say Kollie from here to the bush
too far; I was nine months pregnant then. My daughter Patrice went to wash. I
went and hold my son hand, for us to go and he said I should leave his hand he
said if he will die let him die. We went and enter the woman house who use to
check me. One girl delivery and she took her baby on her back and took her
other child. My son say fire was in the house that we enter, we must get
outside. He was born with his ear bore and people said he was Zoa but I didn't
believe it because I am a Christian. We were in the house, one fighter name
Koko leader Mandingo boy he open the gun and say no body get out so we went
under the bed. One girl, one old lady and her grand daughter and I lay down and
the arm boy went outside and the people burn the whole house. I got hurt,
bullet went in my foot, it cut one little girl into pieces and cut one girl
legs and I went and felt pains in my
foot and my son saw me bleeding and I tie it. I say, so I will not enjoy any
thing from this war? I will call Oforee and tell him because that he the cause.
My husband started crying. They took me and brought me to the hospital, only
Glucose they give me they cut the girl legs. I was there, then my husband was
there with me but his friends told him say you will die for dead body business.
They thought I was coming to die. I tied my foot to go because my brother was
medicine man. They put me in the hummer, they carry me. That time my belly was
reducing until I delivery, my baby was very small. We left we went Babo town the
government troop attack LURD they saw us and say I was wild geese. I told them say
I don't even know about soldier. My soul stated bleeding again. They were
recruiting I left and walk to Bopolu, I say maybe I will see NGO and I saw Red
Cross. The baby I suffered for was nine months, I brought the boy, after one-
two weeks, and he died. I went to tell my husband when I got there, he say I
the one who killed my son. So he divorced me because he and his son were alike.
The only person I was depending on was my brother but he went to Sierra Leone
during the war but he die and they just brought his body to me. My mother is
old and my father is dead no body to help me. [crying]. My brother after he
die, I am suffering he left me with his son. I don't have any money to send
them to school.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Vice- chairman: We want to
say sorry and to take courage and take time.
Commissioner Konneh: You
said you get pre-destination, what God say will come to pass. The God that you
worship that the same God will never let you down. How many children you have?
Primary Witness: Total
five
Is it between you and the man who
devoice you?
Primary Witness: Yes,
three
What work was he doing?
Primary Witness: Logging
Where is he?
Primary Witness: In town
What is he doing now?
Primary Witness: Farming
Will you allow TRC to intervene?
Primary Witness: We now
talk it as family talk
The boy child who was scissile,
where is he?
Primary Witness: NGO took
him.
Are the others going to school?
Primary Witness: They
were, but now.
The father who has the two
children? Where is he?
Primary Witness: He is in
Tuomoor. He carried them there before but my mother went and he was not taking
care of them and she brought them back.
Which town LURD entered?
Primary Witness: Win-yen's
town.
You were four months pregnant?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Who was the helicopter for?
Primary Witness: It was
for Taylor
Commissioner Washington: I
have nothing but to say sorry.
Commissioner Stewart: I
join my colleagues to say sorry
Commissioner Syllah: I add
my voice to my friends and say sorry.
Chairman: We say thank
you. Is there any last word you have to tell us before you leave/
Primary Witness: The only
thing my brother had a son he was 7years old now he is 19, they give him gun to
fight but they said he die that what they say.
What's the boy name?
Primary Witness: Sumo
Karmon
Where is MO?
Primary Witness: He lives
in Monrovia
We will do our best don't give up
take courage. This is all part of our records.
Twelfth Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Bopolu, Gbarpolu County
Famolu Scott
(Fifth
Primary Witness of day two)
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: Thanks very much
for coming to the TRC to tell your story and experience. Please tell us your
name again.
What is your date of birth?
Primary Witness: January
10, 1962
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: Fasu Town
What are you doing?
Primary Witness: I work
with MIA
Primary Witness: There
were a lot of things done during the war but what really hurt me was the death
of our father and mother. During the 1990 war we were beaten and carry load.
During the ULIMO war we were beaten and our food was taken from us, but when
the LURD forces entered here in 2002 January people started running in the
bush. But before running soldiers came running telling us to pack our things
and we ran in the bush where we were for a week and the LURD forces took over
and at the time my father was the one the Superintendent left in charge and he
was caught by them. When they heard that the government soldiers were around
the bridge they went in the bush where we had about 17 kitchens in the bush
with a lot of people and said they were taking us to town.
They collected my father and said
since you are the commissioner you will be here with us. On February 17 around
5 there was a heave storm, and they went in the bush for us and we left some of
our things there in hiding. And on the 18 we went in the bush to find our
things we left there and we left our father behind with our mother and three of
our little brothers. When we got to the village I decided to go in front first
and I decided to go for some rice and on my way I pass the first farm and the
second farm and I heard the story of some soldiers and then they stopped me and
said I should put the cutlass dawn and I saw their commander and he said where
are you living and I told him I am living in the bush and he said I should
follow them, they were eleven.
When we came to the first farm
the grab two women and at the time my father was at his hiding bush. When we
reach the water side they told everybody to be quiet that there was sound and
they were hearing the beating of rice and they asked the old man who was living
up there and they asked the old man and he said no body was there and when they
ask me I said I know where I am living and not the other place. When I said
that they wanted to kill the old man and I beg him and they left him. When we
cross the water they put us in front and when new reached the village they
jumped ahead of us and they caught the people.
Then they told the people to go
up the water and find the people that were there and I knew it was my father
area. So I told them to ask someone to carry them there. I should have ran away
from them but I knew they were going to my father place so I maneuver and I
kept my things and I came back to them and that evening I saw them with my father
and my mother and some of my brothers and they tied my brother and I said what
happened why did they tied the old man and they said his son said he was a
soldier for the LURD forces and I said that is why your tied the old man, and I
begged them to looses the old man and I told them it was my father so they told
me to loosen him and they asked him to sit on the ground. They said they were
going to carry him to Monrovia.
My old man told them since this
is the case you should carry me back to my village so that I can carry my grape
and they said no so I gave my old man a shirt. They carry us and while we were
going they asked of the road to Bamu town and we showed them the road. While on
our way going they started pushing everybody and my father told them I am not
well and I have been with Taylor
since the beginning of the war so why should you people be pushing us like
this. So I told my father that the way they are treating us they can do
anything to us so we should be careful. While going some boys ran away from
them and then my old ma said my son is not a soldier he was sick that is why I
clean his head and they said she was lying and so they give orders that they
should kill one of the civilians and later he said you kill the old ma and they
collected her and cut her throat. While they were fighting over the knife they
started arguing that all the civilians should go and when I look behind they
had advanced their guns and I could not make it to run away.
So the other man there said he
cant go because he had three children there so I should go and I left and went
a distance from them, while there I heard gun sound from where they said they
should kill my mother but the boy could not cut her throat so she was begging
him not to kill her and she will be his wife and when she was coming they saw
her and said she is former fighter so knife can not kill her so they use gun
and kill her with the gun. My father started begging them and he said I have I
lot of children you cant kill my wife and they said are you not thinking of
your life you will die soon. Then they give orders for the old man to be
killed. He begged them and they push him and I heard two gun sounds and the
third round and the third round and he fell down and he died.
For me to leave from where I was
I could not make it and I went in the bush. I was sitting down thinking and I
wanted to go and revenge but then again I said if I should revenge my people
will not come back. The next day I want to the town and told my people what
happened but I could not explain it to them. So I called my uncle that I can't
tell you that they are dead because I ran and I was there when they give order
to kill my mother and I heard the gun sound to kill my father and those that
were there said they were looking for me when they killed my father to kill me
also. The next day one Gio man called Augustine who was there came and I asked
him what happened because I ran away and he lied to me but he came in the night
and told me what happened on the spot. He said your mother was not killed by
the knife, they use gun on her and later they killed your father. Then I went
and told my uncle the message. Right now we were about eleven and three are
dead. That is the struggle we underwent during the war. There are more to
explain but this is the most painful one and since then we are not getting
anything much from the government. I even went to Monrovia and met some of the main people who
knew my father but there is nothing to be done, but thank God that we are
alive.
Question from the Commissioners:
Chairman: It is true that
you are alive and you are able to tell the story today. That is why the TRC was
established and that is why you have the chance to tell your story today. We
say sorry for all that happened to you. The burden is a national one it is not
for you alone. The Commissioners will ask you some questions.
Commissioner Syllah: what
is the name of your mother and farther?
Primary Witness: First my father is Morlu Scott and my mother
Nanekplah Scott my brother is Kartee Sirleaf
So where are the other boys?
Primary Witness: They came
back but they never met us.
Who was the commander?
Primary Witness: was
Kitilli commonly knew as Peter Pewee
While they were carrying you did
they kill other people on the road?
Primary Witness: No they
were just pushing us, they never killed anybody, and when I ran they said if
another ran they will kill all the civilians.
You said you came back and saw
the body of your mother?
Primary Witness: Yes when
we went the family said we should go and bring the bodies to bring them and
burry them but when we saw the body I was spoil and they said we should leave
them there but I said I will burry them so we put leaves over them and I went
there after the month and I collected the bones and put them together and I
went and informed my uncle and he called his bother and we went and collected
the bones and buried them.
When they brought you in the town
how were they treating you?
Primary Witness: They were
not treating us bad but they were going on our farm and taking our things.
Commissioner Washington: the
General Kitilli who is Peter Pewee do you know where he is?
Primary Witness: He is in Monrovia around Painesville
and they said he is a driver.
Do you know how long he has been
there?
Primary Witness: During
the time we were in the camp he came there and when he saw a lot of people from
Gbarpolu he ran away and I did not see him.
Do he has children here?
Primary Witness: Yes his
big sister is here
Does he come here to see them?
Primary Witness: I don't
know there
Where there other killings that
went on in this place?
Primary Witness: Yes there
was a lot of killing here by the other forces besides the government forces.
They even forced us to do a lot of hard jobs and a lot of massacre went on
around here.
Do you know other commanders
beside the Kitilli man?
Primary Witness: There
were others but the Kitilli man was not strange to us he was a little related
to us
Did he have any quarrel with your
father before the incidence?
Primary Witness: No there
was nothing like that, my father was a good man and everybody knows him.
Is his sister friendly with you
people?
Primary Witness: She is a
friend of the family and in Ganama town he has a brother there who sister is an
immediate relative to my father and when I went there they introduce me and
said he is the one who father our brother killed.
Do you know if she knows about
the TRC and if she might want to come?
Primary Witness: I think
she knows but she might not want to come.
Has there been any form of
reconciliation?
Primary Witness: Well God
make everybody heart different, as for me I am not bother about them.
Commissioner Dolopei: has
Pewee come back to the village to say sorry?
Primary Witness: No
Does he come to the village?
Primary Witness: No
Commissioner Konneh: which
faction was Pewee fighting for?
Primary Witness:
Government troops
Since you are related are the
families aware of what went on?
Primary Witness: Yes they
are all aware of the incident
Assuming that he is afraid to
come, what has been the effort of the Pewee family towards the Scott family?
Primary Witness: There has
been no effort at all
During his administration as a
commissioner do you remember the Pewee family been taken in front of him?
Primary Witness: Not at
all
Are there other children for your
father?
Primary Witness: No we are
eleven and I am the biggest brother
In the light of the failure of
Pewee to show the sense of remorse back by his family to come and express
regret to your family in relationship to the killing of your family, if you
were ask to recommend what will be your recommendation towards the doer of the
act?
Primary Witness: Well I
have no problem with him because I have the reeling of forgiveness because if I
revenge I will have no profit.
Chairman: we want to say
sorry for all that happened to you. Is there anything on your mind that you
will want to say before you leave?
Primary Witness: The only
thing I have to say is that no matter what I do my family will not come back so
I want reconciliation with him second I have five other brothers and they are not
going to school so I am seeking help for their education. And I want to ask a
question, the perpetrator is not here so what will be done by the TRC?
What are you expectation?
Primary Witness: If he was
here today he will explain why he killed the old man then we will reconcile,
but he is not here so how are we going to reconcile.
Well for the TRC process if the
perpetrator and the survival can be brought together we can do it that is why
we ask all of the questions so that we can track them down so that they can
justify their action. In the end we can make recommendation for justice which
may be reparation, punishment, and reconciliation. But the fact that they will
be called to say what happened is a part of the justice and that is why you
were asked what would be appropriate and we could do what you want.
Primary Witness: As for me
I will pray that God will give us the opportunity for us to reconcile.
Well in the process we first want
justice before reconciliation. We are very happy that you have embraced the
spirit of reconciliation.
Thirteenth Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Bopolu, Gbarpolu County
Papa Ballah
(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: Thanks very much
for coming to the TRC to tell your story and experience. Please tell us your
name again.
What is your name gain?
Primary Witness: Papa
Ballah
Can you tell us when you were
born?
Primary Witness: April 4th
1985
Where were you born?
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