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The third Day of the TRC Public Hearings Proceedings
held on Thursday May 15, 2008 at the Administrative
Building, Saniquellie City
Nimba 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 her testimony.
Thirteenth Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public
Amara
Jabateh
(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. She was
accompanied by an interpreter.
Chairman: Good morning
Sir, we thank God today that all of us are here before the TRC to talk about
what happen so that we can find solution to this Liberia problem. To find solution
to the problem, you must know the solution of the problems and all of us are
citizens, we have small, small idea of what the problem is, and what happen to
us, that's what we are here and we tell you thank you for coming.
What is your name?
Primary Witness: My name
is Arama Jarbateh.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live Kahnplay.
Where were you born?
Primary Witness: I was
born November 4, 1946.
What are you doing for as living?
Primary Witness: I was
running business.
Primary Witness: Okay, yes
before and even 1990, December 24, this war in Buutuo, we were in Kahnplay,
from Kahnplay way some body run and come tell us say oh they kill the people to
the Mosque. I say you yourself see it? He say I able to see that one, the
people in action then you say I see it? January 1sth they entered, that was New
Year day, we all were sitting down. About 13 of my brothers them and myself we
were drinking atayee, sitting by the black smith shop we hear the gun sound. We
thought that was the army because army has passed here before to go to Buutuo
to drive the rebel, we say this army will protect us. When we hear the gun sound,
then we hear the people come one time, but when I see the group of people come
down from the car, I see Unekazu, I say oh Unekazu who was in Ivory Coast
before they were hulling people in exile 1985, and that Unekazu over there
always say he will come, he will come, I say your let go.
We run away we all take cover.
They come straight to the house we were in; it was not far away from the black
smith shop. He come there and say well, today we are here he break the door and
get to the black smith and say that you're here, your Mandingo people your just
supporting the government? Today that the ending part of you he kill that one.
From there they go to the other people house Marvine, those Kromah people house, when he entered the
house he hull the old ma son out and knock him down, then the old lady go there
and say your kill me and leave my son and right away they kill the boy and cut
the old lady throat. After this, they go in Vaflee Dolley yard, those women were there and only
two men were among them when he break the door, he halted Vaflee he hull him
out side and he say your bring his brother outside right on the road, they kill
those one. Before that, even they catch Bankalee who was the police commander
they carry him right in the intersection of Kahnplay sat him
down and said today your own finish, his
women go there and say if your want
goat or money or any other thing
we will give it to your, your release my husband, they kill them. And one other
Kamara man was there from Lofa police man he did not know Kahnplay bush good he
was running; they fire that one and kill him.
From Vaflee them house, they were
shooting gun I don't know what happen, one woman name Maramu Kromah gun catch
her head she left there and say and you see the people shot me, I gone to
report they taught that was the army. When they were going he leave behind his
woman when they got there, he go see Unakazu he say oh Kazu that you today you
were praying in the mosque all the time you pray for, you will pay for it today
all your praying time finish. They killed his wife, they killed the old man
from there he went and entered in the house, they brother his other wife out
side and rape her and he say if your leave that woman, she will narrate this
story to the people. Then he see my brother son Yaya Jabateh he run behind that
one in the toilet and he tell that one say your own finish.
Then Musa Jabateh was coming from
the farm, why they were doing so because they say that order given to them to
kill the Mandingo and the Krahn they made announcement, and I can understand
Gio and I can speak Gio more then Gio man self. Then from there right by the
other road, they met Kabadee wife, they rape that one right there and tell
those boys to use her and say and Mandingo woman your use to say we are kaflee
they hit the baby on the wall the children were confuse in the town, when the
children come they start putting them in the wall. Right behind my brother
house the wall that there they put rock over them. Then they go to my ma house,
in the English word they say aunty my mother sister. They killed that one with
stick. My brother and myself were running away form them, they short that one
in the chest. From there now the announcement was too much, then they go to my
house and say oh that Amara house they know I was not in town, from there now,
they say your burn the house, they burn the house. After that the army come now
then we join in the bush, when we join in the bush, the army came and they call
me and ask me to collect the dead body. We go on Buutuo road we see Kromah them
body we bring it all the body them we bring it, I get one swam we bring all and
put it there and pray and bury them. And we go to the wall same thing we do
there. So I join in the bush, people were behind me because I know the bush we
go from Cestos River
to go to Ivory Coast.
Some people fall into the River I don't know where they go where they didn't
go. So I entered in Ivory
Coast, when I entered, I was in Gbanda.
When I was in Gbanda, Solomon got
vex and go Kahnplay when he got in Kahnplay the way how Yanee Kazulu destroyed
it. Even when you go with me in Kahnplay I will show you the grave yard all,
they burn all the houses Solomon was vex and say Unakazu come in Kahnplay and
burn all the houses is that what we come for? He say alright let me help the
Mandingo people, he started collecting the Mandingo women and started bringing
them to Gbanda. When I got there he say oh Amara when I bring this Mandingo
women then they will turn them to you. Actually he did well. So that Solomon
save the people here. Then I left from there I was in exile. And when I come to
Kahnplay again, I come see the whole place was just like that. But that the one
happen before me. All the destruction that in Kahnplay that Yanee kazulu,
eventhough the army came and did some but Unakazu did more I can show proof.
When you go with me in Kahnplay now I can proof it, even the grave and the wall
I show it to TRC. So if even it leave between Unakazu and myself when he see
me, he will fall down. Because the thing that He do he will say he do it. Right
now in Kahnplay, we were there when he went and sue one of my brother, Layee
Konneh, he say Layee see him in the night when he was coming from Gbanda, he
say Layee must carry him, Layee say no I scare of you. He bring the complain to
me I say well, the man now show his clear heart to you the man reconcile he
leave it and go to magistrate and the same thing I tell him. So during 1990,
that the one happen they kill my first son, my aunty, my brother first son and
my brother wife.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: The man who
started all these things is he stay in Kahnplay?
Primary Witness: Yes, his
town right by Kahnplay, maybe if he not here now he will be in Monrovia he stay in Kahnplay.
He can come in Kahnplay there we can see him market day he come.
He was fighting for any of these
groups, AFL, or the rebel?
Primary Witness: Yes the
first group that come that AFL. He was army before, when he go to exile before
he join this group that come.
So he went in exile before he
joined?
Primary Witness: Yes, that
was 1985 they run away they go to Ivory Coast, they were part of it.
Commissioner Syllah: What's
the name of your son that was killed during the war?
Primary Witness: Blama
Jabateh
The lot of people that were
killed in Kahnplay that day, can you remember the number?
Primary Witness: I think
about 38or 48. Because that was not my one was bring the body and also those e
children that were put in the wall.
So you bury them together or
separately?
Primary Witness: Well, the
wall was far away from the town in the swam and the other side was all the way
to the market way.
Besides Yanah, do you remember any
other person name, people that went to fight that day who was killing the
people?
Primary Witness: Actually
people that went to fight only Unakazu I know, because all the other one that
was so, so small children. The second attack that was Prince Johnson but I know
Prince Johnson I was fighting to join in the bush now when I saw him he say oh,
you know me, I say yes, he say one time I was sick you carry me.
Do you know how many children
they put in the wall?
Primary Witness: Well,
actually I can say because it was wall you can be able to count from there. We
only see the finger them.
Is the wall stay there in Kahnplay?
Primary Witness: Yes, we
cover it.
You know Nanakazu before the war?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
say he is my friend we were born in the same area. He was army that Cooper Tear
big brother I know him.
Commissioner Washington: Yanee
Kazulu, you said he was first AFL?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Do you know what position he was
holding in AFL?
Primary Witness: Some
people say he was jail commander in jail compound.
You mean the jail house that you
get here?
Primary Witness: No, he
used to come in army uniform I don't know weather he was couple I don't know.
So 1990 he was not assigned here,
he came from Monrovia
to Kahnplay?
Primary Witness: He was
not in town now; he was in exile 1980 coupe that he and his brother they run
behind them. That his small brother name Cooper Tear they were running behind
them that who they went exile.
He joined the first rebel group
that came; can you remember the fighting group or they had many group which
one?
Primary Witness: All we
know that time that was Charles group, until later.
But which fraction you think he
came with?
Primary Witness: That was
Charles group.
So he came with NPFL, you heard
about NPFL before?
Primary Witness: I say all
that name came later, we only know Charles Taylor.
And you said he Mr. Kazalu was
operating in Kahnplay, how long did he stay for?
Primary Witness: He stays
long there because he say your burn all the Mandingo houses.
Besides he, did he have any other
commander as a head?
Primary Witness: That day
he come he was the commander.
How about the time he came in Kahnplay
he was the only big man?
Primary Witness: Only his
name was ringing.
I did not get the name of the
other commander, what's the name?
Primary Witness: Solomon
Weah
And you say since after the war
you have seen Yenae Kazulu?
Primary Witness: Yes.
When was the last time you saw
him?
Primary Witness: Even last
week, in the market
Do you know what he's doing?
Primary Witness: Well, the
last time I saw people in Monrovia
they say he breaking rock around red light.
You said you hold him responsible
for all the houses burn in Kahnplay?
Primary Witness: Yes
The children putting into the
wall, how old were they, babies between what age?
Primary Witness: Some were
young babies, some were little size boy I don't know their age.
How many children?
Primary Witness: No, I
don't know the one that was in the wall.
So you say this wall is behind
your house?
Primary Witness: Yes,
behind my brother house to the market
Commissioner Stewart: This
Solomon Weah was he a soldier?
Primary Witness: Yes
before.
And he went to exile?
Primary Witness: Yes
Is he from Kahnplay?
Primary Witness: Yes
Is he Mandingo?
Primary Witness: No, Gio
Where is Solomon?
Primary Witness: In Kahnplay
How long you stay in exile?
Primary Witness: From June
1990
How was live like in exile?
Primary Witness: We were
fighting to survival.
The man who did this lives in Kahnplay?
Primary Witness: Yes, he
can come to do business
Which fraction?
Primary Witness: AFL, he
was in the army 1995
Commissioner Coleman: You
said your mother was killed?
Primary Witness: No, my
aunty
Is your mother alive?
Primary Witness: No, die
before the war.
Your wife is she alive?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Do you have children?
Primary Witness: Yes, 16
Do you know where the wall is?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Where were you during the coup?
Primary Witness: I was in
Nimba but it took place in Yekapa
Did any body die that you knew in
the coupe?
Primary Witness: The
people were dancing and the tension was too hot.
Commissioner Konneh: Is
Cooper Tear still alive?
Primary Witness: They say
he died.
Commissioner Washington: You
said it happen on New Year's Day?
Primary Witness: Yes
You mentioned
about Abu, tell us what happen to him?
Primary
Witness: He was shot him
Who shot him?
Primary
Witness: George Masa
Who was he?
Primary
Witness: One of the big commanders for Charles Taylor
The man that
they cut his throat, who was he?
Primary
Witness: The Emma
The Emma was
he beheaded?
Primary
Witness: Yes
Old lady
Mayadee?
Primary
Witness: Yes, she die, she say kill me and leave my son.
Chairman:
How old was your son?
Primary
Witness: 1971 he was born.
Can you list
the people who die?
Primary
Witness: Mawa Kamara age 46, Masame Jabateh above 20, Yaya Jabateh
almost 29, Musa Jabateh above 39, Alema Konneh 60, Emma 60, Mavee Kromah, Laveye
70, Lasana 29-30, Masa Dolley 20-22 , Avala 52, Masah 28, Blakadee 49, Kamara
(police man) 41
Chairman:
What your last word before you leave?
Primary
Witness: We appeal to TRC we don't have hospital in our town, let
TRC come and put us together because there is tribalism among us in the county.
Those that are responsible for zinc and cement to help us build our house. Radio
announcement is very important so when any news is heard let it be verify
before airing. Let there be leadership training for all counties authorities.
You said your
land was taken from you?
Primary
Witness: Yes
Who is holding
it now?
Primary
Witness: One man name Sonkalay
What is his
position?
Primary
Witness: He is in Monrovia.
Fourteenth Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Saniquellie, Nimba County
Rufus Woyee
(Second Primary Witness of day three)
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: we say welcome
and thank for coming to the TRC. We appreciate when citizen come up to share
with us, because this has gone on for the past 14 years, so we want to say
thank you and can you call your name again?
Primary Witness: My name
is Rufus Woyee.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live Airfield
Zone 2 Saniquellie.
What did you do?
Primary Witness: I learn
electricity.
What is your age?
Primary Witness: I was
born 1982.
Primary Witness: It
happened in 2003, the same year Willie Togba was the paramount chief. We all
were here when the city Mayoress of Saniquellie call us. So, she ask a group of
Saniquellie youths, to discuss the Mandingo people business, and that time she
ask me to give her 4 bundles of zincs and I only give her 2 because they were
the only ones I had. So that how she got annoy and she started looking for me,
I was not here, they went to my parents house and arrested them and put them in
jail, so that same day, they call me,
and when I heard it, I came, when I came, I went there, and they
arrested me and put me in jail, they tie me with Electric wire, and they
started beating me, and treating me, I can even show the mark, here is the mark
on my side. (Witness Shows scar to the
Commissioners and the Audience at large)
So in the process, people came,
even one man ask her to release me, and she said no, they want to kill me. So
people came and started begging them to free me, they said no, so they say if
you na free this boy here, we na free this boy here we will all start shooting,
so that how they started shooting, and I ran away that all.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: we want to say
thank you, and sorry for all you when through, that is why the government and
the international community to come together to hear all the bad things that
happened in the country and that tomorrow after all this, we will have lasting
peace in Liberia. So at this time, Commissioners will ask you some questions
for clarity. You say this happen in 2003, in what month did it happened?
Primary Witness: It
happened in October 4th.
Was there war going on?
Primary Witness: No, there
was no war.
Who did it to you?
Primary Witness: The city Mayoress.
City Mayoress for where?
Primary Witness: She is
the city Mayoress for Saniquellie.
What is her name?
Primary Witness: Her name
is Mary Nyan Gonlepa.
You said she give order for them
to destroy Mandingo people properties?
Primary Witness: Yes.
How did she do it?
Primary Witness: She told
the people to do it.
But you knew her before?
Primary Witness: Yes.
You said you did electricity?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Where?
Primary Witness: With the
DDRC.
That means you were part of the
war?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Where did you get the gun?
Primary Witness: Somebody
give me the single barrel for me to carry.
And how much did you give the
person?
Primary Witness: I give
the person who owns the gun $100 and I take $50.
Is the city Mayoress still
around?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Is she the current city Mayoress?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Commissioner Konneh: Mr.
Witness, we want to thank you for coming and we say sorry for all that you went
the through. Can you remember who was the senator you talked about?
Primary Witness: I am
talking about the present Junior Senator.
Who was the man that rescued you?
Primary Witness: I don't
know him.
Commissioner Coleman: Mr.
Witness, I will like to know the present status of your family. Your parents are they still alive?
Primary Witness: Yes, they
are alive.
What's about your brothers and
sisters?
Primary Witness: They are
all alive.
Do you have children?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
have a child.
Are you married?
Primary Witness: No.
You said the city Mayoress give
you orders to break down all the Mandingo people houses?
Primary Witness: Yes, she
gave us the mandate to break all their reserve houses down.
And when he ask for your released
and the woman refused?
Primary Witness: Yes.
And they started shooting?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Did any body get hurt?
Primary Witness: No.
And who loosen the rope of your
hand?
Primary Witness: It is one
Saye.
And nobody intimidated you again
to come to your house or so?
Primary Witness: No.
So what was the reason of the
problem?
Primary Witness: Because
she said the zinc I give her were not enough and she said I was doing things on
my own.
Commissioner Dolopei:
thank you for coming to the TRC. You said they give you the order to go and
loot people's properties?
Primary Witness: Yes.
And in your self, do you think it
was right?
Primary Witness: No.
Then why did you do it?
Primary Witness: Because
there was nothing to do.
Can you tell us some of your
friends that were there?
Primary Witness: We were
many and I can't remember all.
How long did this go on for?
Primary Witness: It went
on for about 2 months.
But can you call the name of some
of your friends that were there?
Primary Witness: Yes,
there are Andee Zoe, Henry Dahn and Wotoe Whyee.
Where are they now?
Primary Witness: Henry is
in Monrovia.
What is he doing there?
Primary Witness: He is
attending.
And where is Andee?
Primary Witness: He's in Monrovia selling fuel.
What's about Wotoe?
Primary Witness: He's dead
now.
What happened to him?
Primary Witness: He got
sick and died.
When they were torturing you, was
Mary there?
Primary Witness: No.
Commissioner Steward:
thank you very much. This man you call Willie Togba, is he in Saniquellie here?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Who is he?
Primary Witness: I don't
now his position now.
But what was his position?
Primary Witness: He was a
paramount chief.
You said some of the things you
destroy did you take out the doors and window?
Primary Witness: No, we
only take out the things and broke down the whole house.
And who was the youth leader?
Primary Witness: That was
Henry Dahn.
Where is he now?
Primary Witness: He is in Monrovia.
Who was the head of the police at
that time?
Primary Witness: It was
Eddie Murphy.
And what did he do?
Primary Witness: He did
not do anything.
Was Taylor here or what?
Primary Witness: No, Taylor was not here, it
was only the single Barrel Group.
Was Willie Togba ever present
when you people were removing the zincs?
Primary Witness: Yes, he
was there.
How many times?
Primary Witness: I saw him
once.
And you said it happen in 2003,
how old were you?
Primary Witness: I was
born 1982.
So the group that destroy the
houses, how old were they?
Primary Witness: They were
all grown up men.
Commissioner Washington:
thank you for coming, I have few questions. You said they told you people to
destroy the Mandingo people houses, were they also targeted?
Primary Witness: No.
And after that, did you see any
of them complaining?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
saw one man complaining.
And do you know any thing bout
the case?
Primary Witness: No.
So what will you say about the
treated of the Mandingo people, were they treated right?
Primary Witness: No, they
were not treated right.
You mentioned Adolphus Dolo, was
he there?
Primary Witness: Yes he
was there.
Did Willie Togba fight for any of
the warring faction?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
know he fought for the NPFL.
And he organized the single
barrel group?
Primary Witness: Yes, he
did.
How will you describe the
Mandingo peopled here in Nimba, do you think they are in peace now?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
think they are in peace now.
That Eddie Murphy, is that his
real name?
Primary Witness: Yes
that's the name you have been calling him.
But you knew him before the war?
Primary Witness: No, I
didn't know him.
Commissioner Syllah: thank
you for coming to the TRC. You said they jail your parents, how long did they
stay there?
Primary Witness: They stay
there for one night.
And when you came, they also jail
you, how long did you stay there?
Primary Witness: I stay
there for one night.
Did you see other youths there?
Primary Witness: I was the
only one there.
Commissioner Coleman: then
why did you come to the TRC?
Primary Witness: I came
because I want peace, and every time I see the man, I can feel bad.
Is he threatening you?
Primary Witness: No.
Commissioner Dolopei: you
said, when ever you see the man that tie you, you feel bad, what's about the
people's house you destroy, are you also feeling bad?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
can feel bad and I want them to know about it.
Chairman: what do you know
about Adolphus Dolo?
Primary Witness: I only
use to hear about him.
What did you hear?
Primary Witness: I just
use ton hear that he is one of Taylor's
good fighters.
We want to say thank you for
coming, your testimony just ended, is there any thing you want to tell the TRC?
Primary Witness: Yes, I will
like for the TRC to organized a group to council the youths.
Why, didn't the DDRC people
council you?
Primary Witness: I was
council, but it is not every body they council.
Fifteenth Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Saniquellie, Nimba County
Takpor Wotoe
(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.
Chairman: Good afternoon and welcome to the TRC; we are
very happy to receive you; we feel it is the responsibility of every Liberian
to participate so that we all can find the way forward. Please tell us your
name again.
Primary Witness: My name is Tarkpor Wotoe
How old are you?
Primary Witness: I am 42 years.
What do you do for living?
Primary Witness: I am a Driver.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live in Sarclapea, on the
Air-Field.
You can now tell us your story.
Primary Witness: I am an Ex-Combatant; I fought
during the 1990 war. What cause me to join was that, during the 1985 failed Quiwonkpa
invasion, lot of the people from Nimba county were killed by the Doe led government.
At the time of the 85 invasion, an AFL soldier commander call John Flomo sent a
group of soldiers to our house to arrest some people and I had to run away for
fear of my life to Sarclapea. One of our friends was arrested and killed.
General Smith sent his troops to the Silver Compound and they arrested some
people and killed them. As soon as that happened, I ran again to our village.
At my village, the rebels
captured the area and they asked us to join and having in mind the constant
arrest and subsequent killing of Nimba citizens, I decided to join the NPFL. At
the time, it was under the command of General Putu Major that me and some
friends joined the NPFL. When I joined, I was assigned at the motor-pool where
I used to repair motor bikes and cars. Later, we were asked to give all the
bikes to all the Commandos.
After that, we were sent to Green
Hill under the command of Mangoe Miller a Special Forces Commando and I was
assigned as a mechanic. We were ordered to ask all the people in the community
for their single barrel guns and there was one man in the area that was working
with LAMCO as Supervisor who had his single- barrel gun but hide it. One man
came and told us that the man had single-barrel gun in his house and when he
was asked, he denied; and we were ordered to tie him and beat him; when we
started beating him, the elders in the town came and apologized to us and the
man gave the gun to us. When we took the gun from the man, we were ordered to
go and get all the generators and other machines and give it to Prince Bargue
for him to take it to Gborplay to provide electricity. At the time, most of the
homes we got to was abandoned and as we entered the house, we will take
whatever thing we seen in there, be it trousers or sneakers.
I was later sent to Monrovia to supply arms
and ammunitions to the fighting men at the battle front. Coco-la factory was
our base, we were fighting around 72nd barrack and we arrested two
Krahn soldiers and we executed one and sent one to Gbarnga. I received another
order that the Peace Keepers were coming and that any country that sent Peace
Keepers, we should arrest their citizens in Liberia at the time. I arrested 4
Ghanaians and we took them to Kakata; when I came back from the frontline after
few days, I was told that they had taken them to Karmoh's town where they had a
logging company and the President was also there. When the Peace Keeping Troops
came, the war became rough, as they were launching, our men were also
launching. I was assigned around the Roberts Field highway but we lost some of
our men and we retreated. I took pass
and went home to rest and after three weeks, I came back and in the process of
fighting, some civilians used to died from strayed bullets.
After the ceased fired, we were
disarmed by ECOMOG and I was staying in Gbarnga. After elections, the President
said that he wanted to open a farm in Meleke and at the time, they asked us to
join the SSU but I said that I needed to rest and I decided to work on the
President's farm in Meleke as a Procurement Officer. After that, LURD war
started and I went to Ganta; I had my building materials in Ganta. When I came
in Kpain, I met General John L. Teah and others and they said oh, you sitting
here and the people had attacked our county? They asked me to join them and I
was assigned at the training base in Kpain and another base was in CNC under
the command of Roland Duo and Benjamin Yeaten. They asked us not to allow
anyone to pass that way of Kpain. The order was that before anyone pass there to
go Monrovia,
they should get pass from the base. A boy called Papay brought some women from Monrovia to buy goods and
I arrested him and the General Teah ordered me to beat him and I did.
Another boy called Gola-Ray and
Fire-Power were assigned on one of the check points in the area, they were just
executing more than 4 persons at their check point; when I got there, I saw
bodies of 5 persons and they smelled. People said that it was the operation of
our soldiers; when I came there, they had arrested my littler brother and they
had wanted to kill him at night. They detained him for the whole day, as God
would have it, Benjamin Yeaten came and the boy was released there was constant
complaints that our soldiers were harassing people; when the people are selling
their goods, the soldiers will just go and start to shoot in the air
suppressive and they people will leave their goods down and they will take the
items that the people had left down. I was ordered to the market and when I got
there, the boys were in the town, and I invited a lady who used to tell the
soldiers to go and bring goats so that she can but it from them. I asked her
and she said that she was not the one but one of the soldiers told me that she
was in the business of buying goats from the soldiers; later she was forced to
bring some of the goats she bought from the soldiers and I gave it back to the
owners.
After disarmament, I carried my
car in Gobarchop market in Paynesville and the same woman met me and she said
to me, do you know me? But I said no, and she said I forced her and took her
goats from her and beat on her as well. I just told her say, sorry for what
happened, it was during the war, I apologized to her and she accepted my
apology. Okay, I forgot the other story; when I went home, one boy complained
to me that a man in the town was following his wife, when I was ready to take
some actions, the elders in the town advice me not to do any thing and I
listened to their advice. So that's my story.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: Is it true that you were with NPFL from 1990
to 2003?
Primary Witness: No, after elections, I stopped
fighting but during LURD attack on Ganta, I joined again to protect my county.
Which year was it that you people
were at CNC?
Primary Witness: It happened in 2003 when Ganta war
was going on.
Do you have any information on
the death of John Yormie and Isaac Vaye?
Primary Witness: It was Gola-Ray who came to me in
Kpain one day and said that he saw Yormie and Vaye tied in one white pick-up and
it was Peter Sarkpedeh and Targan Wontee who had the men with them in Bahn, but
I was not there when they killed them.
How far is Bahn from CNC?
Primary Witness: It is like from Red-Light to
Careyburg, that's how it looks.
Was it Targan driving the
pick-up?
Primary Witness: He used to drive himself but
whether he was driving the pick-up, he did not tell me.
You say what is the name of the
boy who saw Yormie and Vaye tied in the pick-up?
Primary Witness: His name is Stanley Wheimee
commonly called Ray.
Do you have any idea as to how
they were killed?
Primary Witness: After two to three days, I heard
the Former President, Taylor
announced the death of the two persons, but I do not have any idea about how
they were killed.
Where is Stanley Wheimee now?
Primary Witness: He is presently home but he is
always going Monrovia
for the struggle, his village is Doewee.
Your family was specifically
targeted during the 1985 failed invasion?
Primary Witness: Not really, but I felt that the
tribe I am from, the top people were been killed; people like J. Exodus Kerdor
and others were killed.
Where was Kerdor killed?
Primary Witness: He was killed in Monrovia.
Where were you at the time?
Primary Witness: I was in my home, but other people
like Ujean Keedor and D.K. Wonserlea were killed in Yekepa.
What is the name of your friend
that was killed by the AFL soldiers?
Primary Witness: His name was Johnson Gonkarnue.
Where was he killed?
Primary Witness: He was killed behind J.W. Pearson
School in Ganta.
You say who arrested your friend?
Primary Witness: It was General Smith's men.
Commissioner Konneh: thank for coming to the TRC. Do you have any
information regarding the death of Enoch Dogolea?
Primary Witness: I cannot tell you anything that
happened to him.
Did you hear from anybody as to
how he was killed or died?
Primary Witness: I only heard that Dogolea was sick
when he died, that's all I know.
What was number of bodies taken
from CNC?
Primary Witness: I saw 13.
Where is Green Hill Forest?
Primary Witness: It is the place where the trains
used to past by each other; it is just before reaching Zowenta.
What types of machines your were
taking and who was commander?
Primary Witness: We used to take generators and
tire-repairing machines and MacDonald and Menlor asked us to give it Prince
Bargue to take it to Gborplay.
Who is Michell?
Primary Witness: He was a Supervisor at the Rail
road.
Where he is now?
Primary Witness: I cannot tell his where about now.
You say the machines were given
to Prince Bargue?
Primary Witness: Yes.
What they did with the machines?
Primary Witness: There was no light in Gborplay, so
it was used to provide electricity.
You said that you were ordered to
arrest all citizens of the Peace Keepers, how many persons you arrested in all?
Primary Witness: Mangoe Miller and Me arrested 4
Ghanaians and brought them to Kakata.
What happened to them when ECOMOG
came?
Primary Witness: They were later taken to Karmoh's
town, but I was at the battle front.
Do you have any knowledge as to
whether they were released?
Primary Witness: That is not to my knowledge
because I was always at the frontline.
Who the Moses man that was
assigned in Karmoh's town?
Primary Witness: It was the Former President, Moses
Z. Blah, at the time he was a Special Forces Commando.
Where is Karmoh's town located?
Primary Witness: It is in Grand Bassa
County.
Do you have any idea about
Jackson F. Doe's death?
Primary Witness: I saw Jackson Doe in our control
area but I did not see Stephen Daniels and others; I cannot tell you because I
did not see them.
Was there any reaction from the
people of Nimba when they heard about the deaths of these people?
Primary Witness: Yes, many people were not in
favored of it but they had no means of demonstrating because of the arms they
soldiers were holding.
Since you felt discouraged, why
you did not escape?
Primary Witness: It was a risk for my life.
Who the Adolphus Dolo you are
referring to?
Primary Witness: It is the Jr. Senator of Nimba County,
Adolphus S. Dolo.
Did you hear about the death of
Sam Bukari and his family, John Yormie and Isaac Vaye in CNC?
Primary Witness: Well, I have no information about
these people death, CNC was actually secured and before anyone go there, you
have to get pass before entering.
Anything happened to the boy and
the woman who went to but their goods?
Primary Witness: No, they were never harassed.
Who were the people Gola-Ray and
Fire Power killed, were they civilians?
Primary Witness: Yes, they were civilians and I saw
their bodies.
Where is Gola-Ray and Fire-Power?
Primary Witness: I learned that they are in Monrovia.
Can you identify them when you
see them?
Primary Witness: Very well.
What was the end with the woman
who met you in Gobarchop and said that you offended her during the war?
Primary Witness: This why I have come to the TRC so
that anyone I offended during the war so that they can forgive me; I apologized
to the woman in Paynesville when we met there and she accepted my apology.
You said that Targan Wontee was
assigned at CNC base?
Primary Witness: Yes, he was there as advisor to
Benjamin Yeaten.
Did you disarmed and demobilized?
Primary Witness: Yes, I disarmed, but my demo ID
card lost so I was denied.
Commissioner Coleman: Is your father and mother alive?
Primary Witness: No, my father died before the war
but my mother is there.
What caused the death of your
father, was it the war?
Primary Witness: No, he died a natural death before
the war.
Have you got any sisters and
brothers?
Primary Witness: Yes, I have three sisters.
Which group attacked your
mother's home town?
Primary Witness: It was the AFL soldiers, people
said it was the Krahn people doing bad things but there was one man from Lofa called
Gabriel in the army that so many bad things in Nimba County.
Do you have children?
Primary Witness: Yes, I have six children.
Are you married?
Primary Witness: Yes, I am married.
How NPFL was prosecuting the
Krahn and Mandingo people?
Primary Witness: Yes, people were killed as a
result of tribalism.
Did you personally execute anyone
of them?
Primary Witness: No, I personally assisted most of
them and they went to Ivory
Coast, and they had some Krahn people with
the NPFL.
What are the names of the Krahn
people that were with Taylor?
Primary Witness: We had one Peter Sayee and one
Gaybedee.
What was the key command of the
NPFL?
Primary Witness: Our key command was to move
against the Government Troops of Samuel Doe and get raid of him.
Any idea as to how NPFL got money
from any company?
Primary Witness: After NPFL captured LAMCO, it
started functioning again but if it was for arms, I do not know.
What are goods of the war that
you can reflect?
Primary Witness: The past government that we were
fighting was very partial and so we wanted to bring it down.
But why NPFL continued to fight
when Doe was killed?
Primary Witness: I think it was for power-greed.
What can you do to get raid of
this tribalism?
Primary Witness: If I come to your as a Gola man
and I passed the test and interview, I should be given the job instead of
giving it to your brother who did not pass the test and interview.
Name three persons in high
command of the NPFL besides Benjamin Yenten, Charles Taylor.
Primary Witness: Isaac Musa, John T. Richardson who
was a friend to Taylor.
Where is Peter Sarkpender and
Targan Wontee?
Primary Witness: They are both in Monrovia.
Why have you come forward to
testify?
Primary Witness: I want to reconcile with people I
did wrong things to.
You do not feel threatened?
Primary Witness: No.
Commissioner Stewart: Do you believe that lots of people were
killed at the CNC base?
Primary Witness: I do not know, only five dead
bodies I saw at the junction.
Was Targan driving the pick-up
that was carrying Yormie and Vaye?
Primary Witness: He only told me that he saw them
tied in the pick-up in Bahn.
What year was it?
Primary Witness: I think when Taylor
went Ghana, other people
were arrested in Monrovia,
it was during that time.
Commissioner Washington: Do you know anything about those foreigners
that were arrested?
Primary Witness: I was at the frontline; all I know
was that Anthony Cumahun was in control at the time.
Did you hear anything about the
deaths of journalists?
Primary Witness: No, I cannot remember anything
about journalists.
Do you have any information about
the group that raided the embassies in Monrovia?
Primary Witness: I cannot remember anything like
that; I did know any embassy in Monrovia
when we entered.
When your entered Paynesville in Monrovia?
Primary Witness: I cannot remember the month now
because the things we were doing, we were between death and life, so I cannot
remember.
Who was your commander when your
entered Monrovia?
Primary Witness: He was Mangoe Miller.
Do you have any idea about the
deaths that occurred in the Soul Clinic devil bush?
Primary Witness: No, no idea.
Was the Soul Clinic Mission still
opened?
Primary Witness: We were not base inside the Mission; we were ahead of the Mission.
Any idea about the civilians that
was caught-up between fire in the TB annex area between AFL and NPFL?
Primary Witness: I have no idea, except the
journalists can make it clear.
Commissioner Syllah: What happened to the civilians did you at
anytime take any of them?
Primary Witness: Sometimes, civilians died from
strayed bullets, but I did not at anytime take any civilian with me.
Chairman: Was Mangoe Miller your commander
from 1990 to 1998?
Primary Witness: No, when ECOMOG came, they changed
my assignment.
While Mangoe Miller was
commander, how many children he took with him?
Primary Witness: I cannot tell.
NPFL recruited young girls?
Primary Witness: Yes.
You were trained?
Primary Witness: No, you just have pay attention to
your commanders.
Do you have any idea about the
arms and arm munitions NPFL used to use?
Primary Witness: We used to just go for ammunition
in Gbarnga.
Do you have any idea about Albert
Paye - Zoegwiah?
Primary Witness: Yes, I saw him this few day in
Ganta going to his home.
Do you have any idea about the
death of the Catholic Norms in Gardnerville?
Primary Witness: I was not assigned in Gardnerville
area.
Now that you have completed your
testimony, is there anything last you want to say?
Primary Witness: Yes, thanks to the TRC; I want TRC
to recommend that those I wronged during the war should please forgive; There
should be job opportunity, when you are jobless, poverty rate can be high; TRC
should help my mother rebuilt her two houses that were burnt; and that
everybody should forget the past, if Grebo man knows how to repair the
rail-road, he should be given the job, this will stop the tribalism. Thanks.
Sixteenth Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Saniquellie, Nimba County
Newah Voir
(Fourth Primary Witness of day three)
The Fourth 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: we want to
welcome you to the TRC and we say welcome. This is a forum where we come to
talk about the things that happen during the war and by doing so, we are going
to move this country forward. Can you please tell us your name again?
Primary Witness: My name
is Newah Voir.
Can you kindly tell us your age?
Primary Witness: I am a
native man, but I should be around 75 years old.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live in
Nimba County, Guwengee lower Nimba.
Which district is that?
Primary Witness:
Yawen-monslon District.
What do you do for living?
Primary Witness: I am a
farmer but. I am unable to make farm now.
Primary Witness: One day
1990, we were on the farm, surprisingly, we were in May, I saw a group of boys
came around me, they say you are needed, they say we want you. I say for what
so? They say you better don't argue. Then I follow them, because they was get
gun ands I can't argue with them. So I just got in front of them. So when we
got in town, They say they were taking me to Tappita. So from Guwendee to
Tappita that na no distance, it is about one hour walk. So we walk from
Guwengee to Tappita. When we got there, they say you, we heard that you can
drive truck, the yellow ones, you can operate. So I say yes I can operate
thrillers, Trucks and shovels, but I am old now that why the Mano River
closed now, that why I come sit down. So they say now you are going to drive a
truck now. So they had guns behind me, what can I say. So they give me the
truck, the first time, I went to try it, they get a driver there that will test
me to say oh, the Oldman qualify to drive. He said, oh, even the papi can drive
it more then me. So they told me carry some boys to Gborplai, I think they were
about 90 or more, so when I took those boys, they told me you have to take some
boys to Buchanan. So I did. Those boys were having gun behind me, one there was
Philip Sai.
When we were there, when I want
go toilet self, they will say no, they will put some body behind me. And you
have to ask for permission before you run away. We ask you, you say you old, so
you na want drive this truck, so any where you go we will be behind you. So I
say ok. They say before I run away. So we were in Buchanan, we were there,
until when they say go so, I there, when they say go that way I there until
when we got through Buchanan, we got to Harbel and then we came back to
Gbarnga. When we got to Gbarnga, then
they say we will assign you to Bopolu; they say I should be carrying the rice
to the hospital for their wounded soldiers, their unable bodies, the sick
people and the children who lost their mothers and fathers, so I use to take
the food there. So I use to carry the rice.
So after that I tell the oldlady say I na able to work in the night, if
that in the day, it is alright. When I do that for about two days I will rest
because I old. So that time now, my wife, because she make farm, and she was
old, I na know if the farm it burn good, I don't know, she made me go there. She
say carry the truck when I got there with the truck, I saw this man they call
James Dahn, he say I should take the truck to Guinea. So I say no, they na tell
me to go to Guinea.
They the boy said that what I tell you to do, not what you will tell me to
do. He said it is what I tell you to do,
so I say alright. He said, be here I am going to another town, when I come
back, then tomorrow morning we will go to Ivory Coast. I say ok. So as soon as
the man went, I ask they say he gone, I ran away, I took the truck and came to
Gbarnga. When I came to Gbarnga, one man was there they call him James Dahn, he
force me to carry the Truck to Ivory Coast, while your na tell me to carry this
truck to Ivory Coast. You know if you driving for somebody, you have to take
instructions, even if he says go this way, you have to go there. But the man
forced me to carry the truck to Ivory
Coast, but I ran away. He say anyway, thank
you. So I say my wife na feeling well, so I have to go there. So he say I should
carry the truck, so I said no.
I went there, he saw me, he said
Newah Voir here, he told the town people he say that honorable Dokie coming. It
was May 17 1990. So every body should not go on the farm, we should stay in the
town. So before then, one Zanzan, he is a sand cutter, he came with the single
barrel gun he say James Dahn say he
should collect all the witch craft them for him, so everybody should fall on
the ground. So all of us fall on the ground we were there, he came. So one day
we were there, one boy came, he say one James Dahn sent me, he say I should
collect all the witchcraft for him, whether you did it or not, what will you
say the people get gun over us, we can't say anything. So we fell down, he call
us, we were over 30, they collected us. For me, he say that you be the number
one witch craft, because I tell you to go Ivory Coast, you say no. one of the
other boys, they call him Jerry Quai, because it was on May 29th, he
give order for him to kill me. So he shot my foot with 3 rounds, I dropped. So
the sand cutter, everything scatter, so one man was there, they call him
Manblow. He was there; he put some boys together to take me to the hospital. So
when they take me, they carry me to the hospital, he follow me to the hospital,
he say he want to kill me. So, Manblow say no, this hospital here, keep your
gun outside, if you come out, you will take the gun.
He slapped the medical man. So
they took me and carry me behind the house, and they were holding him not to
kill me. Right away, his big of sister came, she said, ahn James Dahn, you were
born here, we all are the citizens here, these people, you want tell me you
will be treating this old, old people them who saw you when you were a little
boy, you walking on them and beating them, even you burn their hair? Because that one of my friends, he cant see
he lying down there. He na die yet, he die, because his eyes, the cell all burn
there. They carry me to Tappita. So he say that man where your carry down there
his blood in my car, so your had to pay $200, so they pay it. I went to the
house, still he say he can't leave me, so one Sunday, he cook the rice, he put
the glass bottle in it, and he say I should eat it, so I ate it. That day, that
Father Gerry and Father John carry me to the hospital, and then they do the
operation on me. So one man say, that this old man you doing this kind of thing
to? So the boy self that was there, the boy where wanted to fire me, that in my
daughter them house self he living. So that hoe it happen till one day, they
say they get something they cal the TRC. So I was going to Monrovia. When you be going, they get
someplace they call the SOS. So I was still in the hospital, TRC. When
I walk from here, when my foot, when I walk small, I fall down, that what happen
to me during this war. The old man where I talking about, the children sacred
to come before the TRC. . His name is Oldman Keemaigee, that old man. The man
who shot my foot, he still living.
Questions
from the Commissioners:
Chairman:
we want to thank you for coming to the TRC and we want to say we are sorry for
all the things you went through. That is why it is good to come to the TRC to
say some of these things. So at this time, commissioners will ask some
questions.
Commissioner
Konneh: thank you for coming the TRC, but we are sorry for what
happen to you. This James Dahn man, where is he?
Primary
Witness: Well, some body told me, he is not alive, but since that
time, I can see him again.
What's about
Philip Quai?
Primary
Witness: That Philip Sanguy, he living.
That he say he
wanted to kill you?
Primary
Witness: Yes, he was one of the forces.
Is your
daughter still with this man, despite the fact that he shot you?
Primary
Witness: Yes, she is still with him.
And because
you refuse to take the cassava from that people, that's why he did it to you?
Primary
Witness: Yes.
Were you the
only person?
Primary
Witness: Yes, operating the truck, because I can operate shovel and
truck.
What I mean,
were you the only person they were beating?
Primary
Witness: They were beating plenty people, even one there, they were
beating him, till the broke his ribs.
Did any body
died from that Caffu?
Primary
Witness: Yes, plenty people died.
Do you
remember the names of those who die?
Primary
Witness: Yes, Oldman Nyan Gwsay, Nagai Toewehere and one other man
call.
And the person
who give you the caffu, what is his name?
Primary
Witness: His name is Zanza from Bassa.
When you see
him, can you recognize him?
Primary
Witness: Yes, but long time, I never see him.
How many were
you?
Primary
Witness: I told you we were over 30.
Perhaps, you
think this Zanza will still be alive?
Primary
Witness: I think so.
What did this
man use to burn this man?
Primary
Witness: He use torch to burn the man's bear and all his head.
It was my son
in-law.
Commissioner
Coleman: sorry for all you went through during the war. Did she
forcibly be his wife, or, they fell in love?
Primary
Witness: He did not force her, but if you see a man do his to your
father, and you stay with that man, I leave them with God.
Perhaps she
was doing that to save you, did she tell you that?
Primary
Witness: No, I have no idea about that.
Commissioner
Steward: thank you for coming, and sorry for the mal treatment. What
year did that happen?
Primary
Witness: It happened 1990 may 20th.
When they shot
you, have you already eaten the food?
Primary
Witness: Yes, that time, I was in Tappita.
Was it you and
the others that ate the food?
Primary
Witness: That's what I said, I was not there again after they shot
me, so I na want lie.
But the people
your ate the food, are they still alive?
Primary
Witness: Many of them died.
How long did
it take for them to die?
Primary
Witness: Some of them, it never took long.
This Jerry
man, how long did he fight?
Primary
Witness: I think up to 2003.
Do you know if
the went for the DDR program?
Primary
Witness: I can tell, because my daughter, she na get time.
So how old
were you?
Primary
Witness: I don't know, but that time, I was little bit strong.
Did they do
any thing to Jerry?
Primary Witness: Nothing, they did not do anything to him, he's
there.
Has he come to
say sorry?
Primary
Witness: No, he has not even come to say let me tie this Kola to
please my father in law.
What's about
your daughter is there good relationship?
Primary
Witness: Yes, when she come sometimes we can eat together.
So are you
still afraid of him?
Primary
Witness: Yes.
So jerry
father is a Zoe chief?
Primar
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