UNITED NATIONS, May 24 (UPI) -- Officials of a U.N. court for Sierra Leone warned Tuesday of funding shortfalls and threats to West Africa by al-Qaida and the exiled Liberian president.
The special court's president, Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Auyoola, told the U.N. Security Council it faces an imminent funding shortfall in the prosecution of crimes committed during Sierra Leone's civil war.
He said the court received only $54.9 million in voluntary contributions against a four-year budget of $104 million, and there is currently no assurance of funds beyond the end of this year. The 15-member council publicly reassured the court of its support.
The chief prosecutor, David Crane, who accompanied Auyoola, later told reporters that while he and his staff were preparing for cases, "We ran smack dab in the middle of al-Qaida." He noted West Africa is heavily Muslim.
In addition, Chief of Investigations Alan White warned, "It's clear that until (former Liberian president) Charles Taylor is brought to Justice he will be a clear and present threat to the area and (neighboring) Liberia in particular."
He said Guinea was also targeted, and cautioned that Taylor has met with an al-Qaida representative.
Sierra Leone's civil war was notorious for the amputation of civilians' limbs.
