The justice personnel made this assertion whilst deputising for the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow at a stakeholders’ seminar on the application of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy in The Gambia’s Transitional Justice process, organised by Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) at Metzy Residence Hotel.
Mr Jallow stated that when they commenced their transitional justice policy, it was a new area for them. He noted however that they were assisted by regional and international partners, especially the African Union, on many areas of the transitional justice process, which includes rule of law and security sector reform.
“Our history as a continent is characterised by different political upheavals, struggle for liberation and socioeconomic transformation. These political struggle and transformation such as the fight against colonialism and apartheid, the war against military authoritarian regimes and the struggles for democratic governance, human rights, constitutionalism and the rule of law have all brought with them different transitional justice requisites,” he stated.
He added that the concept of transitional justice is, therefore, a necessary step in moving from a divided and painful past to a commonly shared and developed future.
“As such, it makes sense that the African Union has a transitional justice policy to ensure that transitions are synchronised all across the continent. This policy is not only innovative but also inspiring as it highlights certain aspects of the transitional justice that are essential for success.”
“Today, we are weeks away from realising our implementation plan of the recommendation of the TRRC. This implementation plan will serve as a roadmap for key aspect of our transitional justice process going forward,” he added.
