Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Sierra Leone)
Encyclopedia
The Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established as a condition of the Lomé Peace Accord
with the assistance of the international community in the wake of the 11 year civil war
there. It was signed by President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah
and RUF leader Foday Sankoh
on July 7, 1999. the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's mandate was to "create an impartial historical record of violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law related to the armed conflict in Sierra Leone, from the beginning of the Conflict in 1991 to the signing of the Lome Peace Agreement; to address impunity, to respond to the needs of the victims, to promote healing and reconciliation and to prevent a repetition of the violations and abuses suffered."
It was chaired by retired Rev. Dr. Joseph Christian Humper
.
The commission operated from November 2002 to October 2004. The first phase of its operation consisted of statement taking throughout the country, followed by a phase of public hearings. The Commission made its final report to both the Sierra Leonean government and the United Nations Security Council
in 2004. The final report includes both the names of individual perpetrators and recommendations for the government moving forward.
Lomé Peace Accord
The Lomé Peace Accord was a peace agreement signed on 7 July 1999 between the warring parties in the civil war that gripped Sierra Leone for almost a decade. President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah signed with the Revolutionary United Front leader, Foday Sankoh, granting Sankoh a position in the...
with the assistance of the international community in the wake of the 11 year civil war
Sierra Leone Civil War
The Sierra Leone Civil War began on 23 March 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front , with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia , intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Momoh government...
there. It was signed by President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah
Ahmad Tejan Kabbah
Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah served as President of Sierra Leone from 1996 to 1997 and again from 1998 to 2007.He worked for the United Nations Development Programme and returned to Sierra Leone in 1992...
and RUF leader Foday Sankoh
Foday Sankoh
Foday Saybana Sankoh was the leader and founder of the Sierra Leone rebel group Revolutionary United Front in the 11-year-long Sierra Leone Civil War, starting in 1991 and ending in 2002...
on July 7, 1999. the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's mandate was to "create an impartial historical record of violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law related to the armed conflict in Sierra Leone, from the beginning of the Conflict in 1991 to the signing of the Lome Peace Agreement; to address impunity, to respond to the needs of the victims, to promote healing and reconciliation and to prevent a repetition of the violations and abuses suffered."
It was chaired by retired Rev. Dr. Joseph Christian Humper
Joseph Christian Humper
Joseph Christian Humper is a Bishop in the United Methodist Church. He serves as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Sierra Leone.-Source:*...
.
The commission operated from November 2002 to October 2004. The first phase of its operation consisted of statement taking throughout the country, followed by a phase of public hearings. The Commission made its final report to both the Sierra Leonean government and the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
in 2004. The final report includes both the names of individual perpetrators and recommendations for the government moving forward.