I'm asking. When will we use the truth for good? When will we learn from history and not repeat it?
I've been obsessed with Thomas Sankara for years. If you don't know about him, he was ahead of his time for some of the revolutionary steps he took during the 80s, a statesman and leader that should be emulated. A man who banned mercs from governmental fleets, a man who changed the name of his country to a phrase that means, the land of upright people. Ask our friend Google about him, you won't regret it.
But this is not about him, it's about the case against Charles Taylor currently underway in The Hague.
I've known about it since he was indicted, he was such a celebrity president, hard to ignore. An handsome charismatic man with a relentless penchant for power. But I never really followed why exactly he was being tried or what has been happening till I read last week that he may have had a hand in Sankara's a**asination. Not to mention my shameful interest in Naomi Campbell and her implication with Taylor giving her apparent blood diamonds while at a dinner at the Mandela residence.
What I find most difficult to accept about the case against Charles Taylor is that no one is blatantly speaking out against his atrocities not only in his native LIberia but also his role in funding rebel leaders in Sierra Leone that lead to the most brutal civil war in that has scarred the people off that land nor about his escaping a jail in the states. ( The U.S actually pardoned him and backed his presidential race even though he was guilty of embezzling their money, being jailed for it and escaping a U.S jail- I will never understand how/why the Yanks continue to back the most evil men in history and still claim righteousness)
How can people protect Charles Taylor? He who ordered the murder of anyone he thought was a rival to his power, he who funded and approved the burning of villages, chopping of limbs, rape of grils and women and ordered children as young as nine to kill their parents and become his soldiers?
How can there even be a doubt that he is responsible?
Issa ha**an Sesay is already serving a 50 year term. he will prolly die behind bars and yet he will not say anything against Taylor.
When will the truth ever come out> Do the people left without left limbs, the people who lost their families, the people who killed themselves in fear of what may come, teh people of free Liberia, and Free Sierra Leone, do they not deserve the truth?
Will Taylor never have to admit that he was wrong? That he did bad things? Why has his remorse ( if he is capable of it) been allowed to be private for so long?
I really hope Sesay crumbles under pressure during the trial tomorrow and gives evidence that will enable Taylor to be prosecuted finally. I don't think anybody will take pleasure in seeing an old man go to jail, but if there is any justice in the justice system, he must pay for his crimes.