Taylor verdict takes aim at Africa Big Man impunity

THE HAGUE/FREETOWN – Begging outside a supermarket in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown, Tamba Ngaujah has little doubt who was behind the Revolutionary United Front rebels who, 20 years ago, gave him “short sleeves”.

“They put my arms on the sticks, took machetes, and cut them … They only thing I can tell you about Charles Taylor: I heard from the RUF who amputated my hands that they were supported by Charles Taylor,” 46-year-old Ngaujah said.

On Thursday, a special court in The Hague will give its verdict on just what level of responsibility former Liberian President Taylor had in these war atrocities.

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