By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, February 7, 2025 – The Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, His Lordship the Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, along with other Justices of the Superior Courts of Judicature, has concluded an official tour of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL) peace museum and memorial garden.
According to the Principal Defender of the RSCSL, Ibrahim Sorie Yilla Esq., the purpose of the tour was to update the Chief Justice and the management of the Judiciary on the Court’s ongoing work in line with its mandate. Yilla highlighted the judiciary’s significant role in supporting the Court’s operations over the years, mentioning past and current Justices who have served as Judges of the Court.
Mr. Yilla welcomed the Chief Justice and his team, noting that the tour included inspections of artefacts in the peace museum and garden, as well as the archiving room. This provided the team with the opportunity to see firsthand how the records of the Truth Commission and the Special Court have been preserved.
Leading the tour, the Outreach and Focal Person of the RSCSL, Patrick A. Fatoma, explained that the Museum vividly displays the atrocities committed against Sierra Leoneans during the 11-year insurgency. It also presents perspectives of key stakeholders from the war, including former President Kabba, Hinga Norman, Valentine Strasser, and Maada Bio. Fatoma emphasized the importance of preserving witness statements and evidence.
Fatoma also highlighted the outreach team’s role in engaging Sierra Leoneans, from various parts of the country and neighboring Liberia, to explain Charles Taylor’s involvement in the war, the Court’s establishment, its mandate, and the path forward for reconciliation. He acknowledged the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone for allowing judges to operate independently, ensuring justice was served to those bearing the greatest responsibility for the war.
The museum offers graphic pictorial evidence of artefacts used by forces involved in the war, including guns, military regalia, charms, bow and arrows, mass graves, and slaughterhouses. Fatoma emphasized the importance of these displays as reminders to future generations of the brutal civil war.
The RSCSL Archivist, Hansel Mags-King, stated that the archives room aids in the preservation of evidence through electronic means for researchers and educational purposes. He added that the section maintains an up-to-date website with trial information.
Chief Justice Kamanda expressed gratitude to the Registrar of the RSCSL, Madam Binta Mansaray, and her team for their excellent work in preserving the country’s historical data. He noted the importance of raising awareness among Sierra Leoneans that the end of the trials did not signify the complete conclusion of the Court’s operations.
The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone was established by an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone to oversee the continuing legal obligations of the Special Court for Sierra Leone after its closure in 2013. These responsibilities include conducting contempt of court proceedings, witness protection, supervision of prison sentences, and management of the SCSL archives.