Mr President, victims of the Jammeh era are waiting anxiously for reparation, and the time to act is now.
In October this year, The Gambia received 2.5 million US dollars from the sale of former President Yahya Jammeh's property in the United States. The money was earmarked specifically to compensate victims of human rights violations committed under his 22-year rule. This was a major breakthrough, following years of advocacy by victims, the TRRC, and international partners.
However, almost a month, victims are yet to receive these funds. This delay is causing serious hardship.
Mr President, there is an urgent need for the Ministries of Justice and Finance to meet and agree on a transparent and speedy mechanism for the disbursement of reparations. Your direct intervention is necessary to break the bureaucratic bottleneck.
For many victims, this money is not a windfall. It is a lifeline. Some need it badly to pay medical bills for injuries sustained from torture and detention. Others need it for school fees for children whose breadwinners were killed or disappeared. Many need it to pay arrears of rent and to feed their families. They have waited for justice for almost a decade since the fall of the former regime. They should not be made to wait longer for reparation when the funds are already available.
Mr President, the TRRC recommended reparations as a key pillar of reconciliation. Paying victims promptly will relieve them from the present stress and difficulties they are going through and restore confidence in your government's commitment to justice and the victims.
Mr President, another important concern is that our democracy needs to be revisited to safeguard its quality. We are in an electioneering period and reports indicate that 25 aspirants have expressed interest to be nominated for president between November 3 and 14, 2026. While this shows vibrancy, it also raises serious concerns.
The presidency is the most important job in the land. It should not be open to everyone without stringent scrutiny.
Although we are in a democracy, many of these aspirants are not known to the public. And this situation raises several questions: Are some only trying to raise their personal profiles? Are others looking for ways to make money, or to bargain for posts and positions from the eventual winner?
This large number of candidates will put enormous strain on both the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the media. It will clutter the political space, confuse voters, and make meaningful issue-based debate difficult.
As democratic nation, it is necessary that we revisit the rules and regulations governing who qualifies to be a presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, we must continue to maintain and promote peace and unity, and fight against tribalism and hate speech in this sensitive period.
Mr President, we trust in your leadership to address these two national concerns.
Good day!