During cross examination by the defence counsel for Augustine Gbao, Issa Sesay over the weekend revealed the command structure of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) between November and December 1996.
The witness, who is testifying in his own defence, revealed that before Foday Sankoh left for Abidjan they used to have a control station which was controlled by one Mohammed Tarawally but after the latter’s death, the witness recalled, Sam Bockarie took over until Sankoh returned to Gaima.
Mr Sesay added that during this time, there was no Battle Group Commander and that all the MPs were reporting to the Area Commander and that a Unit Commander did not have authority to report to other Unit Commanders.Answering to questions poised to him by the defence counsel, the witness said certain promotions were made and that Sam Bockarie was appointed full Colonel and made Battle Field Commander.
Mike Lamin, he went on, was promoted to full Colonel and appointed as military strategist and adviser. “[He] was in the high command of the RUF as he was one of those who trained the vanguard forces.”
Continuing his evidence, the witness said that “during the Lome Peace Accord Foday Sankoh told us that Mike Lamin was his deputy. Dennis Mingo was also promoted full Colonel and became the Western Area Commander I was also promoted to Lieutenant and a Battle Field Commander.”
Explaining about other promotions made by Foday Sankoh, the witness said Peter Vandy was given promotion and that Gibril Massaquoi who had earlier testified before the prosecution team was appointed to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Spokesman for the RUF.
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