Back to List of Transcripts
The First day of the TRC Public Hearings Proceedings
held on Monday May 19, 2008 at the Administrative
Building, Gbarnga City
Bong County.
The Hearings session started with a Parade of the students and officials of the
county joined by Commissioners of the TRC throughout the principal streets of Gbarnga City after which the Commissioners of
the TRC traditional chiefs and county administrators were ushered into their
seats followed by the singing of the national anthem by the audience. This was
followed by a welcome from the City Mayoress who then presented the keys of the
city to the Chairman of the Commission. The traditional leaders then welcomed
the Commissioners to the city of Gbarnga
information them that if ever they have a problem while in the county, they
should be informed so that they can solve it for them. The TRC County
Coordinator for the county was called upon to introduce members of the TRC and
the County Authority present at the occasion after
which the Representative of the Office of the Superintendent was called upon to
make a comment. This was followed by a
speech from the Chairman of the TRC Cllr. Jerome Verdier after which he introduced
the Commissioners of the TRC to the audience before declaring open the Hearings
Process in Nimba County.
Welcome Remark by the City Mayoress
of Gbarnga City,
Bong County
Madam Esther C. Waubay.
Today is the day that the lord
had made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Our hard working chairman Cllr.
Jerome Verdier, our dynamic Co-Chair Mrs. Dede Dolopei, Commissioners and the
workers of TRC here present, our chiefs and elders of Bong County, the United
Nations Missions In Liberia (UNMIL), student Body, well wishers, Ladies and
Gentlemen.
I am please this morning; I want
to whole heartedly welcome the chairman and his entourage of the TRC to the
Gbarnga city, Bong County Republic of Liberia. Today is another important day
here in Gbarnga City. When I was walking down the
streets of Gbarnga city this morning, and my citizens were asking me, where are
you going with the big key? And I said I am going to open the door, to the TRC
in Gbarnga, Bong County. And I want to tell you all that
the TRC is not a court, so I want you all to come and tell your story. Again I
will like to say to our honorable Chairman, and the Commissioners of the TRC,
on behalf of the Superintendent Office, the development Superintendent,
Citizens and Residence of Gbarnga City, Bong County, we want to whole heartedly
welcome the TRC to Gbarnga City and have a happy stay. I will take this time to
present this key to the honorable chairman of the TRC.
Presentation of the Key to the
Chairman by the City Mayoress of the county: So this is the key to
the beautiful city of Gbarnga,
and when you are going please give my key back to me. Thank you very much.
Traditional Chiefs and elders of Bong County
to welcome the TRC traditionally: Eh na Yoooru Your, (4times)
Those belonging t the areas here present, we want you people to stand up so we
can give the honor that you deserve. I want you people (commissioners) to come
forward.
Presentation of Kola Nuts to the
chairman of the TRC: You have come here; thank you very much for
coming, this county is yours. Anything possible you want us to do for you while
you are here in our county, we will willingly do it. This is the voice of every one here in Bong County.
Even though, I am speaking, but I am speaking for the whole county. I am the
chairman, the superintendent, development superintendent while you are here,
the way you are here, we have proven to the Liberian people that we are all one
there is no different tribe. And we believe that too. I am the chairman, while
you are here, this is the white fine kola; accept it and you are welcome, you
and you entourage traditionally, this is the voice and thank you very much.
Introduction of Guest and partners by
the TRC County Coordinator: The
guests present were introduced by the Coordinator of Bong County. Appreciation
and acknowledgement were made to those who were very supportive and cooperative
to the initial TRC process in Bong
County and for making
sure that the Hearings Process be conducted in the County.
Representative of the Office of the
Superintendent: Chairman, commissioners, elders of Bong County,
the International Community, citizens of Bong
County, Ladies and Gentlemen as we
have come to tell you our stories, let us note that the TRC is a dawn a new day
in the history of our beloved country Liberia. Fellow citizens, we have
to learn how to forgive and forget the past. We all know that at times it is
not easy to forget the past but we cant continue to hold on to the past and
lived like enemies. We have to join hands to build Mama Liberia.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we don't
want to fight no more by the grace of God we will find total peace.
Chairman of the TRC: Gbartee
oh Gbartee, (3times) Follow Citizens and the residence of Gbarnga, we at the
TRC are very delighted, very pleased, and much honored, by your warm reception
into this City. We have started a journey some 3, 4 months ago; we are going
through the 15 counties. And we commence this exercise in Bong County;
this is the 13th of 15 counties. As we continue an experience that
told us that they are very, very serious. While as an individual, that the
wounds of our people be healed and that we can move ahead, and we will continue
to move forward. Our nation Liberia
can not continue to blind eyes on the past and ignore the pains of this nation.
We started the TRC as a commission back in 2005, with a little or nothing to
start or work with, how to start and where, with no understanding of what the
TRC was about, but today we are on the 4th process of the TRC which
is the public hearings. And this is the significance compliment of the TRC. And
after this public hearing, the TRC will be making its final report and as to
how we can rewrite our country history.
The experiences of the Liberian people, your supports, in outs, and your
feelings and then make recommendations as to how our country can be a different
one and move ahead. With out preparing ourselves, to understand, our past, why
it happened, whom, it happened and how it happened. And who committed some of
these things.
Then indeed, our reconciliation
and reconstruction process can go on. Our leaders, members of the International
community came together and felt it was necessary to conduct a truth searching
and reconciliation process. And they made no mistake to form this forum here in
Liberia.
Reconciliation as we must emphasized is a process and it must take time, but
the foundation for recommendations and truth are what we are digging out and
establishing the fact of what happened, to know the reason of what happen
before we can reconcile. You can not reconcile when you can not understand the
conflict. You can not reconcile when you don't know who you are reconciling
with, you can not reconcile when you do not know what you were reconciling.
That the TRC at the end of its work will establish that indeed our country had
a cancer and that we are the medicine that will cure that cancer and move
forward. Now we are here in Bong County,
we thank all of you, our honorable Mayoress, our Superintendent, who in his
absence was very supportive, elders and chiefs of Bong
County, our international guest here
present, UNMIL Civil Society and the citizens of Bong County.
We want to thank you for the welcome you have given to us here in Bong County.
We are here today to rescue our country, and in during that, we have to and as
the Mayoress has given us the key, we pray that you open your hearts, learn to
forgive, and prevent trouble, and let us learn to respect the rule of law and
to make a new Liberia.
It is not easy to come and retell our experiences, but this is the time. We can
not repair your experiences, we can not change it, but we can share your
experiences.
First Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public
Hearings in
Gbarnga, Bong County
Momo
S.B. Masaquoi
(First Primary Witness of day one)
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: Welcome to the
TRC this is the forum were we come to share our views of what happen to us
during the Liberia
crisis.
What is your date of birth?
Primary Witness: I was born June 1970
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live Gbatala and
sometimes spend time with my sister in Gbarnga.
What do you do for a living?
Primary Witness: I did Machinery but
because of my body now I can't do anything.
Primary Witness: The year
2002 October 4, I had a girl friend with me and we had a conflict she left and
went. And when I look the general town chief sent an arrest for me. One man
name Kpateekee, I told him that they arrested me and he say it was on a Sunday
and not even a summon but a rate of arrest and he ask the megastar to make it
on Monday but he said no. and I told him say let go and we went and the same
general clan chief who sent the rate of arrest I met him on the flood. And
because of the tension that I saw, I decided to go to one of my friend, while
going, some guys saw me and call me back and asked me while I did not speak to
them and just pass by them. And they told me to sit on the ground and again
told me to get up and when I got up they told me to take off my shirt and I
took off my shirt and again told me to take off my trousers and I said to them
oh but what kind of hard play it was, because I thought it was a hard play. It
was one man sitting on the bench and one man given the order and while there,
the only thing I saw behind me was the arm on his chest but he shot and the shot
went in my stomach and my whole intestine came out and every body that was
around became to run away. And the chief came out and say if they don't take me
to hospital, any thing that happen to me they will be blame. And they took me
in a blanket and rub me in it while going; I took my shirt off and tie my
stomach. The man who did this to me was Peter Wontee. I was not to myself but
my sister will explain.
Sister of the Witness: I
am Mrs. Martta Massaquoi Bieele: On this day I came from Kakata, I was ridding
a Firestone car. We got to this village and they stop us and told us that they
had some one wounded and the driver should please take the person to Phebee
hospital. The driver said that it was part of Firestone law that they don't put
other people on their car and he said no. I was sitting in the car not knowing
it was my brother. And the driver said he was coming to explain to me , he said
if any blood sticking on the rubber they will say I was doing some thing else.
So I said what should we do, I will take him to the police head quarters and
report the case and he said yes, and we went and reported the case to the
police and the police agree and I went and told my husband the story and told
them that the same thing I was telling he to find some where and go. They had
carry him to Phebe and the blood all on him was dry. While there, I heard my sister shouting and
when I ask her, she said they short our brother and they were carrying him to
Phebe but what he did he had written my name on a paper and my address and I
said oh, it was my brother they were carrying. And I went running to Phebe but when I got there,
they had not done any thing so every body saw me and said oh that Mrs. Bieele
brother and everyone was given blood one Doctor Henry he was a visitor and he
call for 7units of blood I did not pay any money. My husband was all around for
the case and we wrote even the superintendent. And they did the operation and
he said he give brother from 12 if he breathe, he will live by 12:30, he babe
his eyes. And one women we all knew one another she came and told me that she
was begging us it was her nephew who did it but infect the same boy has just
shot one boy in the village, but if any
thing we will talk. And since then no one has come to tall to us even
authority. They took his pennies and put it aside.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: You said it was 2000 October
6?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Was there any conflict at time?
Primary Witness: Yes, but to that
particular clan there was no fighting here.
Which district?
Primary Witness: Jukula district,
Jukollie clan Jukollie district
They were how many men?
Primary Witness: Three with one arm man.
They were members of which factions?
Primary Witness: NPFL and GOL
They had Military uniform?
Primary Witness: Of course
Have you seen him?
Primary Witness: No, my brother use to
see him in Jawaykollie
Clarification from sister: By then he
was at the hospital and we wanted to find out how it happen and so they took
statement from the town chief.
The rate of arrest, they did mention your girl friend's name
in it?
Primary Witness: Yes, and she said I
beat her.
Was the clan chief involved in the rate of arrest?
Primary Witness: No.
Commissioner Syllah: So how is the wound
like?
Primary Witness: Pus can come from
different, different side.
Since then have you had medical attention?
Primary Witness: They said they will
give me medical advice.
Do you go to lateen freely?
Primary Witness: Yes.
The chief what is his name?
Primary Witness: I don't know his name
The girl what is her name?
Primary Witness: Korto
Where is she?
Primary Witness: In Gban
Can you remember any of the family members of the follow who
did this?
Primary Witness: Yes, the sister behind
my house.
Where is the boy now?
Primary Witness: Gban town now.
Commissioner Stewart: Was this Wontee
arrested?
Primary Witness: So they said and they
turn he over to the police commander.
His name?
Primary Witness: Isaac Raylley
Is it the same Isaac Raylley involved in the shooting?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Who was the Superintendent?
Primary Witness: Domba
The military commander?
Primary Witness: Joseph Brower
You said there was no fighting?
Primary Witness: They were fighting in
Lofa but not on this side.
Which weapon?
Primary Witness: AK47
Which day they did arrest him?
Primary Witness: On the 7th
they operated him was the same 7thCC copy was even given to Daniel
Chea
How was the situation like for civilians?
Primary Witness: It was not easy,
especially when they came from war front. to admit, Gbarnga was fearful.
Commissioner Dolopei: Will you be
willing to show these scares?
Primary Witness: Yes
Commissioner Bull: Thank you very much.
You know we say when you do good, you do it for your self. When you do bad, you
do it for yourself. Your story has find part of our documents and records and
we say thank you.
Commissioner Konneh: You
said the town chief issue a letter of arrest? Under our system of Law weather
that can happen. So TRC will take that issue seriously. And secondly, taken off
the town chief trousers it means there was no rude of order. All these things
will be putting into our records.
Chairman: We will do the inspection of
the wounds. Inspections report by commissioner Syllah
Recommendation form the Inspection Team:
We recommend immediate operation, the wound looks fresh since 2002, and so he
needs attention. We still see openings with pus from three different areas;
however, the original scar has healed.
Anything before you leave?
Primary Witness: Yes, we are appealing
to government and NGOs so that they can show some concern for especially as
regards to jobs , I am unable to do anything , infect, after Dr. Hurries
operated , he said I would have use for only four years, but God's willing, I
have live additional two years.
Second Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Gbarnga, Bong County
Sampson Quanneh
(Second Primary Witness of day one)
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: Once again welcome to the TRC and we are
pleased that you have come; you have acted as a good citizen to come to the
TRC, as you speak here, you are speaking for several thousand persons who are
unable to come. Please tell us your name again.
Primary Witness: My name is Sampson Kwennah
When were you born?
Primary Witness: I was born 1969.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live in Guata.
What do you do for living?
Primary Witness: Farming.
Please tell us your story.
Primary Witness: When we were in Guata in 1994, we
heard sounds of guns from Grand Bassa way and we went into the bushes. While in
the bush, a group came and arrested us and that group was the LPC group. After
three days, we escaped from them and went father on our farm in the bush. It
did not take long time when the NPFL came and arrested us again.
After they caught us, they asked
as to where we were coming from and we told them that we were arrested by LPC
and after three days, we ran away from; when they heard this, they said that we
were enemies. They beat my friend and broke his eyes and buried him alive and
they wanted to cut my hands and legs but they said that they were going to
release me to tell the story.
They took us to Bassa and we
spent 4 days and they arrested everybody from the bush to join them. After
three days, we ran into the bush and NPFL took our women and children to a
village.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: LPC treated your bad for the three days?
Primary Witness: Yes, they killed two of my
friends.
What is the name of your brother
that was killed by NPFL?
Primary Witness: His name was Daniel Kwennah.
You say they killed him?
Primary Witness: Yes, they killed him right in my
presence.
What else they did your?
Primary Witness: They forced us to beat our own
rice they took from us and they forced us to take their loads.
What is the name of LPC bosses
that were in the area?
Primary Witness: John Garam, and Modesco.
How many of you the NPFL
arrested?
Primary Witness: We were three.
Which groups that killed two of
your friends?
Primary Witness: It was the LPC.
How the first boy was killed?
Primary Witness: They cut his penis and he bled to
death.
How the second person was killed?
Primary Witness: They broke his eyes and buried him
alive.
Commissioner Syllah: Do you know the reason why they killed your
brother?
Primary Witness: After they arrested us, they said
that we were enemies.
You identify the place where they
buried the boy alive?
Primary Witness: Yes, I still know the spot.
The two men that were killed,
they left any families behind?
Primary Witness: Yes, one of them had a wife and
child but the other one was not married and never had children.
What is the name of the
commanders of NPFL in your area?
Primary Witness: General Steven Wontoe and Col. Dede of
the artillery division.
Since the war finished, have you
seen any one of them around?
Primary Witness: No.
How has the death of your friends
affected?
Primary Witness: The condition I was in at the time
was very bad, I was not to myself, I was confused and feeling miserable.
Commissioner Stewart: Which group was in control of Gbarnga at the
time?
Primary Witness: It was the NPFL.
Which group was in control of
Guata?
Primary Witness: The same NPFL.
In which year?
Primary Witness: It happened in the year 1994.
You came to Gbarnga after the
elections?
Primary Witness: Yes, I am here almost everyday.
The NPFL looted from the people?
Primary Witness: Yes, plenty.
Your women were raped?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Was it Steve Wontoe group that
was doing that?
Primary Witness: Yes.
They burnt any houses?
Primary Witness: Yes, they burnt my house.
You say they forced your to carry
their loads and what kind of loads?
Primary Witness: Yes, it was the same rice and
other things they took from us.
How the NPFL soldiers survived?
Primary Witness: They were just surviving on us,
they took all our food and other materials.
They forced any young boys?
Primary Witness: I cannot tell.
They forced any of the young
girls?
Primary Witness: Some of the girls followed them.
Do you know the names of any of
the girls they carried?
Primary Witness: Yes, her name is Gormah Togbah.
What is the name of the girl
parents?
Primary Witness: Her father name is Togbah.
You say the soldiers tied you?
Primary Witness: Yes, they tied me and wanted to
cut my hands and legs.
Commissioner Bull: Thanks for the information you have given us
in your story; we will take the appropriate recommendation to the government.
Commissioner Konneh: Which of the two groups that were engaged in
raping, torturing and looting?
Primary Witness: It was the NPFL forces.
What NPFL did to your town people
including you when you were accused of been an enemy?
Primary Witness: From the beginning, when we were
called to town by them, they used to force us to beat our own rice for them
gave it to them.
Chairman: Now that you have completed your testimony,
is there anything else on your mind that you want to tell the TRC before you
leave?
Primary Witness: Yes, the only thing I have to say
is that my friend that was killed left behind his child and so I want the TRC
help me sent the child to school and again, I want the TRC to help me with zinc
and nails so as to rebuild my house that was burnt.
Where is the child?
Primary Witness: He is with the mother in the
village and his name is Junior Kolleh and he was born in 1992.
Third Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public
Hearings in
Gbarnga, Bong County
Mallah G. Kerkulah
(Third Primary Witness of day one)
The Third 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: we say welcome to
the TRC. This is the time, where all of us come and sit down and talk about the
things where happen under the palava huts. We want to talk these things so that
they will not happen again and our children will have peace tomorrow. What is
your name again?
Primary Witness: I am
Mallah Kerkulah.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live
palala.
What do you do for living?
Primary Witness: I bake
and sell bread
What is your age?
Primary Witness: I was
born march 21st 1971.
Primary Witness: That was
1993, some group came in our town, they call them ULIMO K. when they came, it
was raining and there was no heavy rain, and every body was sleeping when they
came and started knocking the door. So they came and started forcing the door
to open, and they put all of us out side to the palava huts. The whole town was
pack because some people came from different towns and they were with us in
that town. So they told us to sit down. When you want to take chair to sit down
thing they will say no, nobody shall sit on chair we should all sit on the
ground. And it was raining and the ground was wet. So they say that Charles
Taylor send them. So we started thinking, that what they want tell us that they
come wake us up. So they say you sit down we coming. So when we were sitting
down, one of the man came and said, do you know who we are, then we say no, so
the man said we are ULIMO K, we are coming to kill every body in this town
here. The place we were air, I started crying, I was wanted to run away but no
way. That how that people them speak in the dialect and they started killing
us, they started shooting us. Everybody was there, and one huge man was sitting
side me, they shot the man, and he fell down, so one of my sisters was there,
when they shot her, she started crying saying, here me here oh, your just kill
me once and for all because your na spoil me. So one boy was there, he was
having flash light in his hand, he was looking around, when he see the people
them shaking, he will kill them, so I was just lying down looking at them. So
the boy came and took the bend knife and juke my sister with it 2 times and
then the girl shut up and became quiet. Then they started going and singing
their song. That how we stay there in that blood, until in the morning, when
Charles Taylor people them came, they put their guns down, all of them started
crying, and they took us and carry us to the hospital in one town but there was
no doctor there, that how they took us and carry us to LAMCO hospital in
Yekepa, Nimba County. We were there, they started treating us, one doctor was
there, that how come my hand was getting rotting, the thread na want get
rotten, so, the doctor said they should cut my hand.
Witness Breaks Down in Tears
So that how come they cut my
hand, and before the war, I was having four children, when the war came, they
ran away and went in the bush, and three of them die, and now I just having one
child left. So that all I get to say.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Commissioner Konneh: we
want to thank you for coming and we want to say sorry for all that you went
through. It is painful to see an able body woman been in capacitated. And it is
also painful to see not only your family members, but also your community been
eliminated before your eyes. We are sorry. You said when these people came that
night, they first said they were NPFL, but later they said they were ULIMO K,
can you remember any of them?
Primary Witness: I can
remember one of them name Kangar.
Since that time, have you seen
any of them?
Primary Witness: Yes, only
Kangar.
What was the dialect they were
speaking?
Primary Witness: They were
speaking Mandingo.
The people that they kill can you
remember their names?
Primary Witness: Yes, but
only my people names, they are my aunty Kuinu, her daughter, Klura and her son
Mouralo. Then my mother Naipay and my father Sammy.
You said the doctor said that
your hand will not be useful again, will your mind for our photographers to
take the photo?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Commissioner Bull: we want
to say sorry for what happened to you. You are a civilian, and you were an
innocent woman, there are rules of law, internationally and locally. We want to
thank you for coming and we say sorry for the terrible experience.
Commissioner Steward: we
want to thank you for coming and sorry for the injury. When these things happen
in the morning, were you to yourself?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Can you tell us how many bodies
were there?
Primary Witness: They were
100 bodies.
How many houses were in your
town?
Primary Witness: There
were 8 houses in the town.
You said what is the name of your
town?
Primary Witness: Gaygbai
camp in Sanoyea district.
Did they burry them in one hole?
Primary Witness: Yes, they
dug a big hole and burry them there.
Can you show us if we want to
know the place?
Primary Witness: The place
that big forest now, nobody living there.
Who was the town chef that time?
Primary Witness: That was
my pa but he died.
Who was the next big town there?
Primary Witness: They call
the place mason town.
The child that you had, the
bullets hit, what happened?
Primary Witness: The baby
died.
What happened to the other
children that die?
Primary Witness: They die
from hunger.
Where were they?
Primary Witness: They ran
in the bush.
What were their ages?
Primary Witness: The other
big one was 8 years old, and the other one was 6 years old.
What are their names?
Primary Witness: The
Maitue Koleh-6years old, Biggerboy Koleh -5years old and Small Daniel -2
months.
The children who die, they burry
them?
Primary Witness: No.
The one who survived, what is his
name?
Primary Witness: Samuel
Kerkulah.
Commissioner Syllah: thank
you for coming. Can you
Remember if any other people
survive?
Primary Witness: Some
people ran away in the bush.
And since that time, you have not
seen any of them?
Primary Witness: No.
Chairman: we want to thank
you for coming and we say sorry and have our sympathy. You see, when war comes,
people can die and people can live, and we who living are he ones who can tell
the story of how they die. And that's why the TRC was founded, and we know that
your didn't do any wrong, your were innocent. Sorry for the terrible
experience. Do you know where they burry your children?
Primary Witness: No, I
didn't go there.
What happen to your sister they
juke?
Primary Witness: She is in
Grand Bassa with her husband.
What is her name?
Primary Witness: Her name
is Vicky Kamara.
Do you know her age?
Primary Witness: At that
time, she was a small girl and she was staying in Monrovia with our other big sister and she
only came to visit.
So do you have any other thing to
tell the TRC?
Primary Witness: Yes, I am
appealing to your to help us build schools for the our children them and I want
your to help me, because just imagine when a man taking care of a woman, you
don't know what thing in his heart, so I want your to help me.
Fourth Primary Witnesses of the TRC
Public Hearings in
Gbarnga, Bong County
Daniel Wesseh
(Fourth Primary Witness of day one)
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 say good
afternoon and welcome to the TRC to share your experience with us. What is your
name again?
Primary Witness: My name
is Daniel Wesseh.
Where do you live?
Primary Witness: I live
Bohn town, Kokoyea District.
When were you born?
Primary Witness: I was
born December 20, 1961.
What do you do for a living?
Primary Witness: I am a
farmer.
Primary Witness: It happen
during the year 94, September 4. While in my home town, Bohn town I saw group
of civilians running and I question them why are you running, they say they saw
some factions that why they are running. When I heard this, I started escaping
with my family because my daddy was too old. He could walk with walking stick,
although my mother was also old although she could walk. We started moving
after we went, but before leaving not every one left the town, so after we
left, some people left in the town. Unfortunately, those who remain they were
capture by one General J.Y Wongbo from NPFL and he said where are the rest of
the civilians? And we said some run away and we don't know their location, and
general J.Y said those who run away I don't believe that they have gone to live
with LPC. But dispirit those of you who have been capture by me, your live will
never be spared due to the fact that you have link with LPC. Immediately they
were order to be jail by General J.Y Wonbgo of NPFL.
They took them in the church
house after they were jail, general Gongo order his men to loot and they
started looting the zinc away. And to those who were jailed in the church they
were there whole day until at night. At night, he told them he was going to
massacre them the following morning.
General J.Y order some of his arm men to guard the church house and none
of them should escape. After the soldiers felt asleep, the late Mr. Gboe Wesseh, he and his wife may his soul
rest in peace he told his wife, my wife since the people sleeping let find our
way to escape. Weeseh said if we do escape, while escaping if we are caught
these murderers or these arm men will kill us so I do advise that we should
stay. But I cannot stand the tension. So Wesseh escape but he did not gone far
from the church he sleek in the bush and lie flat on the ground to observe
everything happening. Gargbo was lying in the bush to observe every thing that
was happening. When general J.Y came, he start releasing his order that the
civilians should be murdered and one of the soldiers said to
general J.Y that we should not
used our weapons to sound out, by murdering
these civilians, when our weapons sound is heard then our enemies will
move on our position. So let us use silent weapons to massacre these civilians
and it was agreed upon. They use your silent weapons, axes, cutlasses stick to
massacre and some were beaten bitterly. And the late Rachael Wesseh may her
soul rest in peace she was the very first to be murdered by those arms
Personnel.
And we immediately, started to
move forward and upon the arrival to where the others were we had already cross
river Jah. I said my children let us try to escape back because our civilians
that remain, they were massacre and some were badly beaten by J.Y Gongbo of the
NPFL. So let us maneuvered and I had a old person to escape with, and I
couldn't leave him, so I put him on my back my mother could walk a little bit. I
say so since you cannot walk let move in front and we started advancing and
escaping. After we got to a town call Zoul when we got to Zoulow people were
escaping. I said dad, this thing will never save our lives but we need to
advance so we started moving. A man by the name of Zewoe was again capture and
was massacre by General J.Y. people were moving and we kept on moving. And when
we went those civilians that remain in Zoulow were again massacre by General
J.Y of NPFL. After we moved, we got to Tekpah town, there we drop in the hands
of other factions as LPC and they said LPC was headed by one General Wesseh in
collaborations with one Robert he was the battle group they ask us to give our
point of view on why we were escaping. And I told them that our positions has
been attack by some arm groups and our sisters and mothers have been massacre
by the said arm groups that what we are escaping and said you people should be
at the back and we started going and LPC which was headed by general Wesseh started moving with his group. When they
carry us weather they kill General due to the fact that at last bullets did not
sign behind us is not to my knowledge. After we drop in the hands of LPC to be
frank, LPC did not kill, but we were mid-treated some of our civilians were
beaten that resulted them to serious sickness today. I stop so far.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Chairman: You said they
kill your three brothers and uncle's wife, Can you name them?
Primary Witness: John
Wesseh-44years old, Joe Wesseh-22, Amos Wesseh-18, Ragah Weeseh uncle's wife.
The general J.Y, was he a popular
general?
Primary Witness: Yes, very
popular.
What was the name of the church?
Primary Witness: Holy Church
of Christ
You said five persons killed in
the church?
Primary Witness: Yes.
You give us four persons?names
can you give us the fifth name?
Primary Witness: Yes,
Alfred Kagbo.
Do you have idea of how they were
buried?
Primary Witness: Their
bones were buried.
Commissioner Konneh: Where
did it take place?
Primary Witness: Bohn town
here in Bong County?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Did you say LPC came there?
Primary Witness: Not in
Bohn
Was Wesseh your relative?
Primary Witness: No, I
don't know him.
How was civilians treated?
Primary Witness: Some
civilians were beaten and they toot load and you could' not say you are tire.
The massacre was it done in the
church?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Any destruction?
Primary Witness: Yes,
church was looted and they took the zinc.
How many houses?
Primary Witness: Ten
houses
Commissioner Coleman: The
effect of the war, where are your father and mother?
Primary Witness: My father
was old I toot him and he survival but he die on sick bed.
Are you married?
Primary Witness: Yes.
Where were you doing NPFL attack?
Primary Witness: I was in
Kokoyea.
Before 89 and 90 how were things
like?
Primary Witness: I was not
in problem. From the beginning when NPFL came they say if you want to join you
join but you are not force, they said they were freedom fighters.
What is the name of the church?
Primary Witness: St. John Holy church
of Christ.
When LURD came, was there any
problem?
Primary Witness: Upon
there arrival, they use the civilians because they did not know the bush and
they took cattle and people cocoa. They mad-treated people they came with the
intension that they put people in houses and set it on fire, but when they got
here, it was cease fire.
Commissioner Bull: Thank
you for participating in this forum.
Commissioner Stewart: General J.Y Gongo, where is he from?
Primary Witness: According
to people he is from Bong
County.
Do you know where he is?
Primary Witness: No.
The people killed in the church,
were they bury?
Primary Witness: Only
bones were bury
Was it one place?
Primary Witness: No.
River Jah, how many of you cross?
Primary Witness: We were
about 100
Did they burn houses?
Primary Witness: Yes,
after they took the zinc form the church they burn house.
Your belongings, did they take
any?
Primary Witness: Yes,
every thing
How long you stayed with LPC?
Primary Witness: We stay
long
How long in Buchanan?
Primary Witness: About a
week
Commissioner Syllah: Your
parents, where are they now?
Primary Witness: My mother
is alive but my father died
What is your father's name?
Primary Witness: Gunsah
Wesseh
Chairman: Anything else?
Primary Witness: My
request to the TRC is we are homeless to please provide zinc for us. And
provide education and roads.
Fifth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public
Hearings in
Gbarnga, Bong County
Yassah Z. Duana
(Fifth Primary Witness of day one)
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: welcome to the
TRC, we want to thank you for taking up your valuable time to come and share
your story with us. When you do this, we are taking the first step to our
reconciliations process in Liberia.
Maybe I know what happen in Monrovia, and some
body knows what happen in Maryland and you can
tell us what happen here in Bong
County. We say welcome
again, and I want you kindly repeat your name?
Primary Witness: My name
is Yassah Duana.
Can you please tell us your age?
Primary Witness: May 9th
1960.
Where do you stay?
Primary Witness: I stay in
Sanoyea town, sanoyea district.
What do you do?
Primary Witness: I see
food.
Primary Witness: We were
in Sanoyea 2001, while we were there, a former counselor who they call Richard
K. Flomo, we was internal affairs minister. He ahead and put some boys
together, we use to call the bandies in another town call Nyanquelleh. The NPFL
soldiers that were residing in Sanoyea town, so he use to go to President
Taylor, and say he will be responsible for the boys in Sanoyea. When he go and they
give him the children food he will by-pass and carry the food to his boys on
his farm. So while doing it, one day the soldiers in Sanoyea decided to go to
the Commissioner one Joseph Mulbah and they said, if we na get food to eat, we will arrest Richard
Flomo's car because he is the one that can give our supply. I don't know what
the commissioner told them, because my shop right on the road, one day the boys
said they were going to deal with him.
So one day we saw Richard's
Driver in the car, but he Richard Flomo was not there. So those boys said they
will not let the car go until they see the man. While they were making the
argument, we told them say no, since the man na in the car, and the driver say
he na come, wait for him, when he comes then you will talk. Then when the
driver left, the next day, the boys came, that was Richard's men them, they use
to wear Red T-shirts, and they had on it Strike force and they had the dragon
on it. They printed it and give it to them. The soldiers that were in Sanoyea,
they grab some of them and they started making argument, so we ran away. So
those buys open fire, when they open that fire, from 6pm to 4am.So they started
shooting the whole night, they were shooting, that night, we all ran in the
bush that night. So when we were in the bush, we decided to come to the town to
collect our things, then we started running back again, then my son, they use
to call him Baby. When the soldiers were giving hard time to the civilians in
the town, they went to the commissioner.
Then I told him say commissioner
because we are strangers here, we don't know who is who. When they ask some
body, before they make up their mind, they have killed the person or beat the
person badly. So we said your give us some boys that will recognized all the
strangers that will come in this town from the nearby villages. So we agree,
and we appointer those people them that will do it. So when they got in the
town, they started showing who all are the civilians them in the town. Then my
son came from inside and got out side, and they said where is your commander
that here? When you na show your boss man we will kill you. So the boy said, I
na know anything about the boss man, I am not a soldier. I am sick, I lying
down inside there, I na know any thing about the commander. So they say if you
na tell us who is your commander, we will kill you. So they say where your boss
is. So while they were talking, the boy turned his back, that how they fire him
from the back, when they fire him from the back, that how his brother came to
help him, that how they fire him too. So they kill the two of them. So we all
left, we went, so they kill the two of them. So when we went in the bush, then
the other rebel them came back they wanted to take the body, so one other brave
boy was there, he said no, we should not allow these people to take these
bodies, lets go take them, so as soon as we got on the road, we saw Richard
Flomo men, they say Richard say they must go get the bodies to burn the bodies
to destroy evidence. So they fought over the bodies, so they children from
Sanoyea took the bodies. While they were there, the president heard about it,
and he sent Bull Dog, one of the commanders of the ATU to come and rescue us.
So, after Bull Dog came, they took the body and carry it to Totota, from Totota
they carry the body to Kakata, one man was in Kakata, he took the bodies to the
president. They went and took the bodies to Sokosakor; they called me and some
other people. They say what they want for the president to do with the body? I
say let them just embalm the body and give it back to me. Then they said yes.
They talk to Francis Galawolo, Emmanuel Lemax and some other people to come and
enquire from us how these children died.
The people explained the president took money and give it to Francis
Galawolo and Emmanuel Lemax to embalm the body, and bring them back to Sanoyea.
Galawolo and Lemax sat down there, because the money was too big for them, they
never see it in their lives they took the money and never embalm those
children. I ran behind them, ran behind them, I even went to Sokosakor I saw my
children bodies getting rotten, it made me vex. I said I was going to meet the
president face to face. Just in that time, they were having the funeral of
Kerkulah Kpoto. Then I went, when I went I sat down under the bridge there,
where the bodies were, there where I was waiting for the president. So when the
president came, I wanted to run behind the car so he can be concern about what
Lemax them did. Emmanuel Lemax security them grab me, they didn't allow me t
see the president. They say I should go wait for Lemax to his house so we can
talk.
I went to the commissioner house;
I was there for 2 days, that how he gave me money he say he was going to bring
my children body back to me. So when I went to Sokosakor, he told the people
not to give me the bodies. They took the children them bodies and throw it away
on the beach; I did not see my children bodies. Because I can remember when I
went for the bodies, they say they can't give my children to me. And it was not
only my children they kill, they kill other people children. The thing when it
happened, the other 3 boys they fire, they other one cripple self in Sanoyea
the other one survived. So when they finish burying their own of children them,
when I came, I told all the citizens of Sanoyea, they came and call every body
and in the meeting, they say that we should reconcile, that what that happen to
you in Sanoyea, we must forget it. Other people reconcile, Emmanuel Lemax got
up and begged me, and I consider it.
When he came after 3 months, he
came in Sanoyea to have a meeting, I went to the meeting, he did not see me, I
was way in the back, he got up and started busting about it, ahn they say I
can't come here in Sanoyea, but here me here, I sitting here. So I got up and
said, you Richard Sumo, you kill somebody and then you busting about it? But
those children you kill, that na my one children, if to say I was having gun I
was going to kill you. That just what I said and so help me God, Richard Flomo
and I for it.
Questions from the Commissioners:
Commissioner Konneh: madam
witness, we know how painful it is to carry pregnancy for 9 months, suffered
behind the house in child birth to bring them in the world. We also know when a
person suffers in the other human being hands; it is a victory for the victim,
because God will not let it go unpunished. And even before the judgment seat of
God, Satan will say I don't know you. And as merciful as God is, he has the
power to handle it in his own way.
The Richard Flomo you are taking
about, is he the same Richard Flomo that serve in the internal affair?
Primary Witness: Yes,
that's his name.
You think if Richard Flomo was
call here, will you talk to him face to faces?
Primary Witness: Yes, we
have been judging cases.
What is the real name of your
son?
Primary Witness: his real
name is Daigai Smith, he was 21years old and the other one name is Lerpo
Mulbah, he was 18 years old.
You said you son was in a group, what group
was that?
Primary Witness: The town
people form the group to check the people who came from the different towns,
because we didn't want the soldiers to come and say we have strangers.
Who was Galawo?
Primary Witness: He was
the one the president sent to investigate the children's death.
Was Richard there that day?
Primary Witness: No,
Richard Flomo was not there.
Do we also understand you to have
said that he was a commander of a particular group in Sanoyea?
Primary Witness: Yes, he
use to come wearing a hat, call himself a five star general. And everybody that
lived in Sanoyea knows about it.
Commissioner Bull: I want
to thank you for coming and I want to say sorry for what happen to you. I am o
mother, and I know what it is to loss a child, and I lost a child during the
war, but I always pray that God help me continue. What was this Emmanuel Lemax?
Primary Witness: He was
one of the big men in Taylor's
government.
Where is he now?
Primary Witness: He is in Monrovia.
Was he the one at GSA?
Primary Witness: Yes, he
is the one.
Commissioner Coleman: we
want to say sorry for the lost of your children. I will like to understand
something about your family. Besides, your son, did you loss any hen he during
the war?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
lost my father, my brother an my father took in medicine and die. When he saw
the body of my brother, he fell sick, when he went to the hospital, they give
him chloroquine and he took all ten of the medicine and die.
How did he die?
Primary Witness: He was
killed by ULIMO K.
And what happen to your mother?
Primary Witness: She cried
until she died.
What happen to your other
children?
Primary Witness: The first
one die 1990, and he was 5 years old and the other one die and he was 2 years
old.
Where did they die?
Primary Witness: They die
in bong mines prince Johnson capture.
What are their names?
Primary Witness: They 5
years old name is Junior, and the 2 years old is.
Commissioner Steward:
thank you for coming and sorry. When this thing happened was there any fighting
in bong County or Sanoyea?
Primary Witness: No, there
was no fighting, Richard Flomo had a group and those Charles Taylor boys said
that he was stealing their food.
Who was the superintendent at
that time?
Primary Witness: I can't
remember.
Who was the commissioner at that
time in Sanoyea?
Primary Witness: It was
one
Was there any police there?
Primary Witness: No, and
up to this time, there is no police.
So who you said came to the town
to you?
Primary Witness: It was
only the ATU that Taylor
sent to rescue us.
And what did they do?
Primary Witness: They only
ran behind those boys out of the town.
You said that Taylor give money to Lemax to burry the
children?
Primary Witness: Yes, Taylor give him the money
to embalm the body, but he didn't, and he just thrown them on the body on the
beach.
Who told you he throw the bodies
on the beach?
Primary Witness: It was
the people at the morgue and him self apologized to me and told me he burry the
children on the beach.
When did this happen?
Primary Witness: It happened
in July 2002.
Since that time, has Richard
Flomo come back to Sanoyea?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
saw him some part of last year, I was his car going to his farm, when I got up
to go to the car, we started going.
Can you remember any other person
in the group?
Primary Witness: The
commander use to call his self Big and Bad, he is from the other town.
Do you know his real name?
Primary Witness: Yes, but
I forgetting it, but I know his ma.
Besides, Big and bad, can you
remember any other person name there?
Primary Witness: They
other boy name is Ketela, but his real name is Gbandoe he is still alive today.
The other boy who kill my son I saw him in my house, he was lying down, and
when I came, I saw him, I said, here you here, now lying down in my house,
suppose I take gun and kill you now? Then one of the boys said forgive him
because he did not do it on his own, that was order. So I say but let him get out
of my house.
But did they disarm?
Primary Witness: yes, they all disarmed during the process.
But did you see Richard Flomo
disarm?
Primary Witness: No, I can't tell because I am not a soldier and I
was not there.
But did he have arm, did you ever
see him with arm?
Primary Witness: No, but
he sue to have body guards and he use to have a pestle.
You saw him with the pestle?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
have seen him.
Commissioner Syllah: thank
you for coming and sorry for the death of your son. You said you went to the
morgue, how was the body like?
Primary Witness: The children bodies were wrapped up in a
plastic and the bodies were decaying.
Can you remember any of the
people at the morgue?
Primary Witness: No, my
sister by that time, I was not to my self so I can not remember any of them
names.
Thank you very much, and as the
other commissioner said, it is not easy to lose a child and that she lost a
child during this war and it is painful. So we want to say sorry and take
heart. We know it is not easy for one person to carry all of s and we are
sharing it with you and we say sorry.
Chairman: we want to thank
you for coming and sorry for the death of your children. The man that did the
main shooting what is his name?
Do you have anything to say to
the TRC?
Primary Witness: Yes, I
want you people to help us to recondition our community. And I want your to
help us, because the road to Sanoyea, is so far, when some thing hurt you,
before you reach on the road, it cant' be easy, and secondly, the security.
There is no security, no police in Sanoyea. The other time there was a land
dispute, when they went ahead and burning down towns. Before police could get
there it was worst. So we need security in Sanoyea.
Were you boys in school?
Primary Witness: Yes, they
were going to school.
What was their level in school?
Primary Witness: They were
in the 8th grade.
Were they good boys?
Primary Witness: Oh,
especially my son, he was very helpful to me.
Witness burst into tears.
Sixth Primary Witnesses of the TRC Public
Hearings in
Gbarnga, Bong County
John Kennedy
(Sixth Primary Witness of day one)
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 for coming to the TRC, your presence
means a lot to the process. Please tell us your name.
Primary Witness: My name is Rev. John K. Kennedy.
Who old are you or when were you
born?
Primary Witness: I was born 1952.
What do you for living?
Primary Witness: I am Rev. for the Methodist Church in Gborlokpalai.
You can now please tell us your
story.
Primary Witness: In Gborlokpalai, I was present on
a Sunday and I saw a woman running towards me and she said that she saw some
men coming with guns and they were many; at the time many people had left their
various areas and came in the town for refuge. It did not take too long when I
saw strange movement of men and not known that they had already surrounded the
town. Before that, they already put many in a house at the other end of the
town and I did not know, when I got to realized that, they came in the town and
arrested everyone and they opened suppressive firing and the bullets wounded
some people and in that process, one of them called me and asked why I was
still in the town? I simply told him that I could not leave my people and go
anywhere; I also told him that I was not going to die in the war but could
suffer to some point. At that time, they had already my daughter and many
others in one of the houses at the end of the town.
After they left, A boy and myself
started packing the bodies of those who they had killed and I asked who these
gays were that killed people without small thinking? Few of them that were in
the town came to me and I asked them the same questions and they started
introducing themselves as Dudu-boy, Nasty
Back to List of Transcripts
|
