The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL) has strengthened its judicial bench with the formal induction of Komba Kamanda and Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi, in a move aimed at reinforcing the institution’s ongoing post-conflict mandate.
The two jurists were sworn in during a ceremony held in The Hague in accordance with Rule 14A of the Court’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence. They took their oaths before the Court’s President, Richard Lussick, committing themselves to independence, impartiality, and fidelity to the Court’s responsibilities.
In his remarks, Justice Lussick commended the new appointees, highlighting their extensive service within Sierra Leone’s judiciary spanning more than 20 years.
He said their depth of experience and familiarity with the country’s legal and social landscape would be invaluable in advancing the Court’s work within a post-conflict legacy framework.
Representing the Government of Sierra Leone at the ceremony, Deputy Ambassador Asmaa James described the appointments as a significant step in aligning national judicial expertise with an international justice mechanism.
She noted that the inclusion of seasoned Sierra Leonean judges would help sustain the Court’s efficiency and effectiveness in executing its mandate.
The RSCSL was established in 2013 through an agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations to carry forward the residual functions of the former Special Court. Its responsibilities include overseeing witness protection, supervising the enforcement of sentences, managing archives, and handling other legal matters that persisted after the closure of the original tribunal.
With the addition of Chief Justice Kamanda and Justice Alhadi, the Court is expected to bolster institutional continuity and further consolidate efforts to preserve and advance Sierra Leone’s post-war justice legacy.
