FREETOWN, Oct 24, 2009 (AFP) - The Special Court for Sierra Leone hands down its final appeals verdict in Freetown Monday against three senior rebel RUF commanders convicted for atrocities committed during the 1991-2001 civil war.
Here is a short overview of events during the conflict:
1991
In March the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), allegedly armed and financed by Liberian president Charles Taylor and led by former army officer Foday Sankoh, crosses the border from Liberia and captures several villagers.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians flee their homes in terror as the rebels shoot, loot and rape their way through the diamond-rich southern and eastern parts of the country.
1992
Unhappy with the government's inability to stop the rebels, Captain Valentine Strasser seizes power and establishes a junta government to crush the rebels, who control around one-fifth of the country.
1993-1995
Fighting between government forces and RUF continues with mixed results. Rebels gain control of most of the diamond fields and bauxite and titanium mines.
By 1995, the RUF rebels capture the hills around the capital Freetown and launch offensives around the city. Government troops manage to fight off the rebels and regain control over the lucrative diamond fields.
1996
Strasser is ousted and Vice President General Julius Maada Bio takes office. In March politician Ahmad Tejan Kabbah is elected president in the country's first free elections.
Two days after the elections on March 17 the RUF accepts a ceasefire. In November Kabbah and Sankoh sign a peace agreement.
1997
As the peace deal unravels the RUF ousts Sankoh as leader in March. In May a military coup follows and Kabbah is overthrown by Major Johnny Paul Koroma, who establishes the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC).
The AFRC makes a deal with the RUF and sets up a joint government. RUF fighters enter Freetown.
Nigerian-led West African intervention force ECOMOG deploys to Freetown.
1998
In the second battle for Freetown, ECOMOG forces drive out the AFRC/RUF rebels. Kabbah returns from exile in Guinea to resume the presidency. Fighting between government troops and rebels continues.
1999
RUF forces advance on Freetown for the third battle over the capital. The RUF capture the east of the city from ECOMOG. Hospital sources say over 3,000 people were killed in a month.
The rebels retreat and both parties agree to hold ceasefire talks. Kabbah and Sankoh hammer out a power-sharing deal under the Lome peace agreement.
2000
The UN sends the UNAMSIL peacekeeping mission to replace ECOMOG. RUF seizes 500 UN peacekeepers to stop UNAMSIL from moving into the diamond fields.
Britain sends troops, and the hostages are released in batches via Liberia. Sankoh is arrested and handed over to the government.
The RUF names Issa Sesay as its new leader. RUF breaks up into rival groups. A ceasefire agreement is signed in November.
2001
UNAMSIL deploys troops throughout the country and disarmament begins.
2002
In January UNAMSIL commander announces an end to war, stating that more than 47,000 fighters turned in their arms since May 2001. The government and the UN sign an agreement to set up a special tribunal to try perpetrators of atrocities against civilians.
bur-sb/bm
Copyright (c) 2009 Agence France Presse
Received by NewsEdge Insight: 10/23/2009 22:04:18
©AFP: The information provided in this product is for personal use only. None of it may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express permission of Agence France-Presse.
