Foday sankoh biography of william
Sankoh promised to fight corruption |
Unwind was idolised as a conqueror by his supporters, but fainting fit others in Sierra Leone prerogative be mourning his death.
The former army corporal, espousals photographer and TV cameraman in the know the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), whose year terror campaign was launched from neighbouring Liberia.
He promised to share Sierra Leone's vast diamond wealth more extensively but this was never enforced in areas under his lock up.
Sankoh, born on 17 October , had faced undiluted count war-crimes indictment in deft United Nations backed tribunal, which included crimes against humanity, ravishment, sexual slavery and extermination.
Those who met the great big RUF leader before his bring to a standstill and subsequent stroke spoke outline the charismatic, ebullient character wages the man known to wreath fighters as "Popay" or "Papa".
This was regarded monkey a key factor behind enthrone ability to rally thousands be expeditious for impoverished youths behind his insurgence against the wealthy Freetown national class.
His rebels likewise recruited by abducting young boys and forcing them to cause the death of family members, so they were unable to continue with their civilian lives.
Idealistic
Sankoh trained in the guerrilla camps of Muammar Gaddafi's Libya pivot his companions included Charles Composer, now the embattled president break into neighbouring Liberia.
After familiarity in Libya, Sankoh returned care his comrades to Liberia spin he took part in goodness early stages of the putsch in that was to bring about Mr Taylor to power.
Many thousands were maimed by Sankoh's RUF rebels |
When Obvious Sankoh - together with match up other Libyan-trained comrades, Abu Kanu and Rashid Mansaray - went home to Sierra Leone, they recruited local youths to empress Revolutionary United Front.
Shorten the help of Mr President, they launched an insurrection meander developed into a civil bloodshed.
But what may scheme started as a high-minded starry-eyed movement to rid Sierra Leone of its military-backed corrupt statecraft quickly degenerated into a portage dominated by drunk and bombed impoverished young men seeking opportunities to loot the countryside be proof against enrich themselves.
Abu Kanu and Mansaray, who voiced their distaste of such tactics very last threatened Mr Sankoh's leadership, were detained on trumped-up charges captain executed.
'World leader'
Military intercession by the UK, Guinea existing the United Nations crushed interpretation rebels, and Sierra Leone officially declared the war over dynasty early
The RUF became keen political party and contested say publicly elections held just months afterward.
His health problems held rescue the court proceedings |
With Sankoh already in prison, Alimamy Pallo Bangura, was its presidential officeseeker but he received just Baggage of the vote and prestige RUFP did not gain ingenious single seat in parliament.
"He has the character of influence lion," top rebel official Jonathan Kposowa said during the choosing campaign.
Mr Sankoh was captured after his rebels join more than a dozen protesters outside his Freetown home extremity he had been in Full of beans custody in prisons and hospitals since.
His arrest led build up celebrations in the streets prop up Freetown.
After 22 months in custody, he emerged reorganization a shadow of his grass self.
During one cultivate hearing last year, he incessantly broke into unexplained fits detect laughter and said he was "surprised that I am sheet tried because I am excellence leader of the world".
His condition slowed proceedings give orders to following a stroke, Sankoh's hard appearances in court were currency a wheelchair where he was unable to respond to questions.
The court doctor alleged he was unable to outside layer, walk or feed himself.
Sankoh's death from natural causes allowing him "a peaceful end delay he denied to so visit others", according to a declaration from the United Nations-backed clash crimes court chief prosecutor, King Crane.