US congress writes on Baldeh

The Chairman of the United States House Committee of Foreign Affairs has written to the Senegalese President Macky Sall urging him to bring to justice the fugitive Ibrahim Bah aka Ibrahim Baldeh. He is accused of weapons-trafficking to the rebel RUF forces during Sierra Leone’s civil war. Baldeh was deported from Sierra Leone in July following a presidential order despite local and international rights groups calling for his trial. In a letter obtained by Politico, Edward R. Royce expresses dissatisfaction over the deportation of Baldeh by Sierra Leone. “I am troubled by this apparent disregard for the rule of law in Sierra Leone” he writes, adding: “this recent turn of events provides a unique opportunity for Senegal to act in a constructive and justice affirming manner”. The moderate California House Representative writes that “constructively addressing” the Baldeh case and bringing him to justice will strengthen the ties between the two countries. He says through its support of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), the US and others have made a considerable investment in “bringing to justice those most responsible for mass atrocities” during the 10-year war in Sierra Leone. While those bearing the greatest responsibility have been prosecuted, he goes on, “some known accomplices have circumvented any proper judicial process” citing Ibrahim Bah as one such. A United Nations Panel of Expert and the Special Court have both named him as a long time accomplice of the convicted war criminal Charles Taylor who provided arms and materiel to the RUF. “I urge the Government of Senegal to conduct a thorough investigation into Bah’s actions during the Sierra Leone civil war” Royce writes, to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to press charges against him in an applicable court to “implement the rule of law to the fullest extent”. Bah is alleged to have also facilitated gem purchases for Al Qaida operatives in Liberia, as well as claims that he fought with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the mujahideen in Afghanistan and Casamance separatists in his native Senegal, allegations he denies. In a recent Africa Confidential publication, he confirmed that the United States Central Intelligence Agency, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, Britain’s MI6 and the French foreign intelligence service all questioned him Baldeh between 2001 and 2004. (C) Politico 19/08/13