Isatou
Jammeh, a staff of The Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations has
strongly recommended that government should impose a ban or suspension on the
opposition Alliance for Patriotic, Reorientation and Construction (APRC) until
such a time that the ongoing TRRC is concluded and its recommendations
implemented.
This,
she believes, would enhance a smooth transitional justice process and for
people to reconcile and unite as a nation.
Ms.
Jammeh, made this call at a recent press confab ahead of their planned peaceful
protest slated for 25 January. Their planned protest came following an earlier
protest by APRC, demanding the unconditional return to the country of former
President Yaya Jammeh, who is currently living in exile in Equatorial Guinea.
She
said; “It is a sad moment, considering the fact that The Gambia is going
through a truth seeking and reconciliation process, the APRC protest demanding
the return of former President Jammeh to continue living in The Gambia as a
free citizen is beyond mockery to the plight of victims as evident to
testimonies at the TRRC. The same political party that enabled Jammeh to stifle
the God-given voices of all Gambians, tortured, maimed, killed our loved ones
and sexually abused our women for 22 years was given a permit to protest for
the return of the most cruel and inhumane dictator who victimised the entire
country,” she said.
Ms.
Jammeh, a victim herself, maintained that the victims have appreciated the
support of the international community and also recongnised the steps taken by
the government so far to address these violations with the setting up of the
TRRC.
“We look forward to the support of all CSOs,
NGOs and the international partners in ensuring that the recommendations of the
TRRC at the end of its mandate are implemented by the President Adama Barrow
administration without selective justice and favoritism to enhance the healing
process that we are yearning for in the New Gambia,” she urged.
She
thanked the Ministry of Justice and the government for their reassurance, as
they look forward to the day when all the violations committed against “our
people are accounted for and the perpetrators brought to justice.”
