Following his departure, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.

Prosecutor Brenda Hollis voiced the feelings of current and former Court staff, saying “This is a sad day for all of us.”

Registrar Binta Mansaray recalled that it was Desmond who succeeded in negotiating the transfer of Charles Taylor to the Special Court, and that he played a key part in arranging for his trial in the Hague.

“Much of the Special Court’s subsequent success was made possible by Desmond de Silva,” Ms. Mansaray said. “More than that, he remained a close friend and supporter of the Special Court and later of the Residual Special Court. He was passionate about achieving justice for the people of Sierra Leone. We will miss him greatly.  End!!