The Truth And Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Requests For An Extension
By Yusuf Alghali

30th September 2003-"It has become imperative for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to request an extension of its lifespan," TRC Chairman Bishop Joseph C. Humper told President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah during a meeting at the Lodge Tuesday. The T.R.C. Act envisages an extension of the lifespan of the commission only in the context of a bill placed before parliament by government.

Chairman Humper expressed the need for President Kabbah to activate the process of a time extension to enable the creation of an impartial historical record which required wide-ranging consultation with all actors relevant to the decade-old war in Sierra Leone that was ended in early 2002.

"This process is well advanced, but cannot be completed within the time remaining," Bishop Humper said, adding that the commission "needs to analyse the 9,000 (nine thousand) statements and thousands of pages of submissions in its database to enable it produce an accurate report of the conflict in this country".

He reported that the poor resource environment under which the commission continued to operate had compelled them to make adjustments in staffing and other scheduled activities, pointing out that these had impacted on the capacity of the commission to keep to the original time frame.

The chairman disclosed that the commission's revised operational plan envisaged an actual extension time-frame of only three months, from October to December 2003, so as to allow for a formal presentation of the commission's final report to President Kabbah by January 2004.

In his response President Kabbah indicated his agreement to the TRC's request for more time, but pointed to the need to first look at what the financial and other implications would be.

The President, who said he had received very praiseworthy comments about the work of the commission, restated his desire to see the Truth and Reconciliation Commission remain as a permanent national institution to address human rights violations and other relevant concerns of Sierra Leoneans.

The President observed that TRC commissioners had approached their assignment "with the degree of responsibility and seriousness that one would expect", adding that they had also demonstrated a keen interest in ensuring a proper healing process across the country".

Other members of the TRC delegation included Deputy Chairman, Justice Laura Marcus Jones, Commissioner Professor John Kamara and Commissioner Sylvanus Torto, who, on behalf of the TRC, thanked the Head of State for appearing as well as participating in the public hearings on 5th August 2003.

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