IANSA welcomes the arrest of Charles Taylor by the Special Court for Sierra Leone on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international law such as using child soldiers.

Taylor was President of Liberia between 1997 and 2003, after which he was given asylum in Nigeria. He was notorious for the use of child soldiers, armed with AK-47 assault rifles.

Charles Taylor's legacy (a photo gallery)

The Special Court alleges that Taylor supported the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), facilitating the conflict that ended in 2002. In January 2006 the Control Arms campaign launched a report describing the human cost of the war. Taylor has also been involved in conflicts in neighbouring Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, according to Human Rights Watch.

Taylor was also violated the UN arms embargo on Liberia by exchanging 'blood diamonds' and illicit timber for weapons, according to Global Witness.

This arrest follows the International Criminal Court's recent arrest of Thomas Lubanga, the Congolese warlord, on war crimes charges. This is the first arrest by the International Criminal Court. Click here for more details.