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Two of Sierra Leone’s most senior legal minds, Chief Justice Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda and Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi, have officially joined the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL).
They were sworn in during a ceremony held in The Hague, marking their formal integration into the Court’s judicial roster.
The appointments, conducted under Rule 14A of the Court’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence, bring domestic judicial expertise into the RSCSL’s international framework.
Performing their declarations before President Justice Richard Lussick, both judges pledged to uphold impartiality and the specialized mandate of the Court. Justice Lussick praised their appointments, noting that the pair bring over 20 years of experience from Sierra Leone’s judiciary.
“These appointments provide the Court with a stable foundation of expertise,” he said. “Their backgrounds suggest a deep understanding of the socio-legal context, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the judicial process in a post-conflict legacy framework.”
Deputy Ambassador Mrs. Asmaa James, representing the Government of Sierra Leone, described the judges’ inclusion as a bridge between local judicial strength and international obligations. She said their presence ensures the Court remains “functional and effective” by bringing firsthand knowledge of Sierra Leone’s legal landscape.
Established in 2013 through a bilateral agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone, the RSCSL serves as the permanent successor to the original Special Court. The addition of Chief Justice Kamanda and Justice Alhadi is expected to reinforce the Court’s credibility as it continues to oversee Sierra Leone’s long-term legal processes and support the country’s path to lasting peace.
