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Shipilov A. Yu. Charles Taylor’s interference in the Sierra Leone civil war (based on the documents of the residual special Court for Sierra Leone)

Alexander Yu. Shipilov
Institute of World History of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Moscow, Russia 
E-mail: alexmo1994@gmail.com

 

  Download  |  Go to Issue #4. 2019

 

УДК 327(66) 
DOI 10.31250/2618-8619-2019-4(6)-99-106

 

ABSTRACT. The article investigates the role of Charles Taylor (the President of Liberia in 1997–2003 and the head of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia—NPFL ) in the events of the Sierra Leone civil war (1991– 2002) and is based on the documents of the judiciary case devoted to this politician in the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone. The author addresses the political, military and legal context regarding the appearance of the former head of the Liberian state at court as well as the circumstances of the hearing of this case. He assesses the reasons for the emergence of two various mechanisms of post-conflict justice in Sierra Leone and Liberia after the end of the respective civil conflicts. The article analyzes the source (the materials of the Residual Special Court on Charles Taylor) to attain a broader understanding of ties between the Liberian leader and the Sierra Leonean insurgency forces at various stages, including first of all the Revolutionary United Front (RUF ) and its leaders, convicted at the same court for severe war crimes and crimes against humanity. The author evaluates the amount of Liberian funding that went to the RUF and affiliated structures, diplomatic contacts, the procurement of arms, necessary equipment as well as other war-necessary supplies. He draws additional attention to the immediate participation of Taylor’s NPFL subordinates in the Sierra Leonean conflict as soldiers, advisors, technical specialists and medics.

  

KEYWORDS: Charles Taylor, Sierra Leone, Liberia, RUF , Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, war crimes

 

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