Written by Matthias Daffah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is today spending his seventh year in exile since he resigned and departed the country under pressure.
African leaders including Mozambique’s President Joachim Chissano , South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki and Nigeria’s Oluse gun Obasanjo accompanied Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Taylor sought refuge in the Nigerian resort city of Calabar where he remained until he was turned over to international security forces.
From Nigeria, the ex-Liberian president was formally turned over to the Liberian Government at the Robert International Airport in handcuffs.
He was then flown to Sierra Leone to face seventeen-count indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity, charges he has repeatedly denied.
Prior to his leaving the Liberian Presidency, Mr. Taylor left behind a memorable statement that: God willing he would be back.
Taylor’s supporters believe he surrendered power to his successor Moses Blah due to pressure from then US President, George Bush.
Though Taylor accepted to leave he demanded that peacekeepers arrive on Liberian soil to avert what he called total destruction.
