Liberian President Charles Taylor, who has been at the center of West Africa’s conflicts for 14 years and faces war crimes charges, committed Tuesday to step down under a cease-fire agreement with rebel groups. His government signed the deal for a truce in the three-year civil war at a time when rebels are on the doorstep of the capital, Monrovia, kept from overrunning it only by fierce fighting with Taylor loyalists. If Taylor follows through with the requirement he step down, he will likely face pressure to face trial on charges he committed war crimes in neighboring Sierra Leone — just one of the regional wars he is accused of having a role in. After the deal was signed, a spokesman for the U.N.-Sierra Leone war crimes court insisted Taylor still would have to face justice. “Whether he’s president or not, he’s indicted by the special court, so he should have his day in court,” David Hecht said. Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.