The
sessions of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), when
established, should be decentralised because accessing Banjul from other parts
of West Coast Region could be very difficult.
This
was the plea of West Coast Region people during a meeting with a TRRC
taskforce, led by Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambedou, on a nationwide tour to
enlighten people about the proposed commission.
The
taskforce comprises civil society organisations, Ministry of Justice, the
United Nations Development Programme and other relevant stakeholders. It engages the people on how the TRRC would
properly dispense justice for the violations and abuses of the Yahya
Jammeh-government.
During
the consultative meetings in West Coast Region settlements of Bwiam and
Brikama, on 18 and 19 August, respectively, the majority of people stressed out
to the taskforce that the commission should be decentralised for ease of
accessibility.
Meanwhile,
Minister Tambedou told the people of Foni that the commission should not be seen
as a mechanism to fight back former President Yahya Jammeh and, besides, even
though Jammeh was native of Foni, the people of Foni have also been victims of
his government.
“The
commission is here to bring justice through reconciliation to hail peace and
prosperity in the country after such a long time,” he said, adding that the
commission would be non-partisan.
Ebrima
Mballow, governor of West Coast Region, said the commission is timely as its
mandate is to investigate the human rights violations that happened in the past
22 years that brought hard time and differences among the people.
“The
torture and disappearances without trace is a legacy that will be remembered in
generations,” he said. “The reparation
and reconciliation will enable the affected victims to live a dignified life.”
Councillor
Tumani B. Sambou of Wassadu Ward in Foni Jarrol expressed delight in the
proposed setting up of the TRRC because, he said, otherwise the victims and
perpetrators could have revenged either directly or indirectly because they are
living together in society.
Saikou
Sanyang of Bwiam recommended the inclusion of religious leaders in the
commission.
The
councillor of Somita Ward Alieu Gibba said the commission should desist from
tribalism and have respect for all.
Yusupha
Bojang of the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) said the commission’s
mandate is to investigate on all atrocities done by the former government from
July 1994 to January 2017.
