United Democratic Party (UDP) leader ANM Ousainou Darboe has pledged to fully implement the recommendations of The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) within five years if elected president, saying justice must come before lasting national reconciliation.
Mr. Darboe made the pledge in Switzerland during a fundraising event organized by the UDP’s GASH chapter, where he also outlined plans on legal reforms, economic empowerment and electricity.
He said victims of human rights violations committed during former President Yahya Jammeh’s rule were still waiting for justice, promising that their cases would be given priority under a UDP government.
“We want reconciliation in the country, but you cannot have that if justice does not take place, give the person his truth if you give him his truth, then we can sit and be together.”
He said calls for national unity would mean little if the experiences of victims were ignored.
“You cannot sit on my truth and say, Let us be one m that cannot work, You offend me, then apologize I forgive you, and we become one.”
According to Mr. Darboe, failing to address past abuses would betray victims of the Jammeh era, stressing that implementing the TRRC recommendations would require genuine political will.
The UDP leader also promised legal reforms, saying his party had enough legal expertise to review and repeal laws it considers unjust or outdated.
“Gambians will agree that UDP lacks everything except lawyers, to change the bad laws within three years will not be difficult.”
On the economy, Mr. Darboe called for greater Gambian ownership of key sectors and strategic national assets. Referring to the recent sale of Mega Bank, he said Gambians, including those abroad, should have been given an opportunity to acquire it before foreign investors.
He said he was not against foreign investment but insisted Gambians should be given priority when strategic assets are sold.
“I am not saying we should deny foreigners, but before giving it to someone else, give it to the Gambian citizen,” he said.
Mr. Darboe also pledged to resolve the country’s chronic electricity problems within three years of a UDP government taking office, citing the late musician Tatadingding’s call for Gambians to give him the opportunity to fix the problem.
