An Everlasting Struggle For Accountability

 

The Sinje Massacre; September 28, 1996. Northwestern Liberia

Massacre in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County carried out by Alhaji Kromah-led ULIMO-K, on September 28, 1996 as reported by UN Relief workers/ The Inquirer Vol. 5 # 75; Daily News Vol. 5 #62; and The News Vol. 7 # 17: According to a UN press release issued by the Special Representative of the Secretary General Amb. Anthony B. Nyakyi, about 17 civilians were killed and many were injured while about 1000 civilians escaped the bloodbath. But other reports put the number at 25 to 48.

Those that were killed

  • Miaata Barlo (wife of Fumba Barlo)
  • Lutee Barlor (son of Fumba Barlo)
  • Mama Barlo (relative of Fumba)
  • Garti Barlo (relative of Fumba)
  • Tata Barlo (relative of Fumba)
  • Jenneh Barlo (relative of Fumba)
  • Satta Barlo (relative of Fumba)
  • Sanda Barlo (relative of Fumba)
  • K. Varney Zodua (father of Mohammed)
  • Bendu Zodua (daughter of Mohammed)
  • Siatta Zodua
  • Mary Kennedy
  • Emmanuel Jessey
  • Morris Kiawu
  • Varney Farma
  • Lucinii Sumai
  • Pop Joe (town crier)
  • Sando (daughter of Mama Darwolo)
  • Momo Zodua
  • Mary Bouah
  • Sando (a lady from Gunn Town)

Those abducted by the ULIMO-K rebels included:

  1. Varney Sombola and Family
  2. Momo Fahnbulleh
  3. Amie Jallah (wife of John Jallaj)
  4. Tenneh Zodua (mother of Mohammed Zodua)
  5. Kpadeh Baysah and wife]
  6. Petrer Zarwolo
  7. Tamba Kamara and Family
  8. Foday Kamara (son of John Jallah)
  9. Sunday Kamara (son of Tamba)
  10. Watta Nuan and her four children
  11. Martu Jalaba and her four children
  12. Varney Forboi (LIURD volunteer worker)
  13. Joseph Brown and Family
  14. Mamie Gargar
  15. James Gargar
  16. Lorpu Gargar
  17. Hajai Kamara
  18. Mamie Kamare
  19. Tenneh Kamara
  20. ‘Maryea Koiwood (child under 10 years)

The ULIMO-K Rebels Who Were Involved In The Sinje Massacre On September 28, 1996 Included… 

    • Battle Front Commander, Jackson
    • Opa Sandi
    • Mack Typson
    • Jahanma
    • Operations
    • Jabateh
    • Col. Darbo
    • Tarweh
    • Col. Power
    • Boakai Komah
    • Sando Reagan
    • Moluba Sombid
    • Po-Boy Sheriff
    • Mohammed Dambodambo
    • Victor (known as Bassa-Boy)
    • Varney Swaray
    • The “Force Fire” and “Piso” Battalions respectively.
    • Victor Swaray 

    Many of the above are assumed names used by the rebels during the war. It was a common practice among rebels of the various factions to assumed psuedo names, either deliberately or for the fun of it. Even some of the faction leaders took on names and titles that were not real. For example, Charles Taylor, head of the NPFL, was often referred to as “Gankay” which means warrior in the Gola dialect. ULIMO-K supporters often referred to Alhaji Kromah, the head of ULIMO-K as the “Supreme Commander” of all of ULIMO. Prince Johnson of the Independent Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) was called “Field Marshall” by his rebels, and sometimes by some members of the press.