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Foday Sankoh

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Foday Sankoh

 As the leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), Foday Sankoh used brutal tactics to sieze and maintain control over Sierra Leone's diamond mines, including extensive use of child soldiers, systematic amputation of limbs, and rape as a means of terrorizing civilians into submission. Even after the UN granted immunity to Sankoh while negotiating for peace in Sierra Leone, Sankoh continued his reign of violence, at one point kidnapping several hundred UN peacekeepers. Sankoh was arrested for his crimes and indicted by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, but died before he could be tried.

 

Foday Sankoh, Sierra Leone Rebel Leader, Dies (July 30, 2003)
Though the Special Court for Sierra Leone had indicted him, Sankoh never stood trial for his crimes against civilians and UN peacekeepers. (Associated Press) 

Sierra Leone Accused in Court (March 16, 2003)
Foday Sankoh, former leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), appeared in the Special Court for Sierra Leone to be tried for crimes against humanity. Sankoh is also being charged for murder in local courts where he would receive the death penalty if convicted. (BBC)

Unique Court to Try Killers of Sierra Leone (January 17, 2002)
The war crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone will judge the imprisoned leader Foday Sankoh, but the controversial question of its commanders and young rebels still remains. (Guardian)

War Crimes Tribunal in Sierra Leone: The Walls are Closing in on Taylor (January 7, 2002)
The trial in Sierra Leone will have ramifications on the political process in Liberia. If Foday Sankoh is indicted and convicted, Charles Taylor will also be, since the war crimes tribunal in Sierra Leone is also about crimes against humanity in Liberia. (The Perspective)

Who is Foday Sankoh? (May 17, 2000)
Derek Brown provides a brief account of Sankoh's brutal rise to power and the destruction of Sierra Leone in the process. (Guardian)

World-Class Crimes (June 7, 2000)
Carroll Bogert argues stability will not return to Sierra Leone until Sankoh is prosecuted for his crimes. A permanent International Criminal court, however, is the proper forum for his trial, as opposed to an ad hoc tribunal for Sierra Leone whose establishment has garnered only lukewarm support. (Washington Post)


 

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