RSCIF Presents Certificates To Over 40 Participants
Over 40 participants received special court induction training certificates from the Residual Special Court Interactive Sierra Leone Forum (RSCIF).
The colorful ceremony which was so interactive took place past Wednesday 24th September, 2025 at the Sierra Leone Peace Museum in Freetown.
The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone was established by an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone to oversee the continuing legal obligations of the Special Court for Sierra Leone after its closure in 2013. These include conducting contempt of court proceedings, witness protection, supervision of prison sentences, and management of the SCSL archives.
According to RSCIF Ag. Supervisor Jospeh W. Saffa, the Residual Special Court Interactive Sierra Leone Forum (RSCIF) is a community outreach and engagement body in Sierra Leone that works closely with the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL). The RSCIF serves as an information hub, helping to communicate the ongoing work and legacy of the RSCSL to the public.
Key functions of the RSCIF include:
Community education wherein members are trained to act as community ambassadors, sharing information on transitional justice issues and the RSCSL’s role in the country’s post-war context.
Partnership and outreach: The forum facilitates collaborations between the RSCSL and civil society groups. This ensures community-based outreach is inclusive, particularly involving vulnerable groups and persons with special needs.
Legacy preservation: The RSCIF supports the RSCSL in preserving and promoting the legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), which prosecuted those bearing the greatest responsibility for civil war atrocities.
Topical campaigns: In addition to its ongoing role, the RSCIF participates in campaigns for new public health or safety concerns. For example, in 2025, the group was oriented on the national response to mpox to help with public awareness efforts.
The RSCIF’s activities help ensure that the work of the Residual Special Court remains accessible and relevant to ordinary citizens of Sierra Leone long after the conclusion of the war crimes trials.
Madam Augusta J. Akibo-Jones, Director, Europe Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said their presence was to give their continuous support to them and also thanked all the players in the growth and sustainability of RSCIF.
After receiving her certificate, Haja Yama Ahmed thanked the organizer for such a remarkable event. She emphasized that leadership is good but one needs to have the initiative to make things work the way it was.
Madam Augusta J. Akibo-Jones, Director, Europe Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Koffie Macauley Canadian Consul to Sierra Leone helped in the distribution of certificates.
Statement was also made by James Tamba Kamara Defence Associate Legal Officer of Residual Special Court among others.
