Fatou
Camara, a native of Sintet and mother of nine children yesterday testified
before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in Sibanor.
She disclosed that during their detention by witch hunters in Kanilai, young
boys who can be their grandsons washed them naked.
She
recalled that the incident started on a particular Monday morning in 2009;
adding that she was informed that the witch hunters would come to their
village. She said that she first saw the paramilitaries and soldiers storm the
village, further recalling that no one was allowed to escape with some being
captured in their houses.
“I
was captured in my compound. The witch hunters came with their red dresses and
armed soldiers. One of them called me and he told me to prepare because they
were going to take us to Kanilai for medications.”
She
added that the time they were taking her, her husband didn’t bother to ask
where they were being taken to and she also didn’t tell him. She said some of
the abductees were beaten by the soldiers for not complying.
Ms.
Camara also recalled that two buses and a truck were filled up with abductees
from Sintet and taken to Kanilai. She added that upon arrival, they were taken
to the military camp where lunch was served and their monies and phones were
seized.
“There,
they would call us one after the other, make us naked and bath us. They also
gave us concoction to drink with grasses in it. They also poured water on our
faces, which was so painful and soldiers were there to kick our toes with their
guns.”
She
informed the commission that after drinking the concoction, they fainted and
became unconscious till the following day.
“They
asked us how many people we have eaten and how many young people we took to the
Marabouts to destroy their lives. I told them I am not a witch and they told me
that if I don’t admit, I won’t be released. Some said something that they
didn’t do and some said they have eaten their children.”
She
said after drinking the concoction, all of them had different sicknesses which
kept them suffering.
In
her concluding remarks, witness underlined the need for more treatment,
disclosing that D50,000 was spent on her treatment.
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