Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A beam of light enters through one of the small windows, illuminating the dark room like the manifestation of a celestial symbol. With her eyes fixed on the large photographs, Ayeshah Jammeh’s mind wanders. She walks silently, treading upon fragments that have become the collective memory of Gambians.

The 33-year-old woman regularly seeks solace in this unique place called the “Memory House” located in Banjul, the Gambian capital. Inside the pavilion, handwritten letters, personal belongings, drawings, and photographs recount and pay tribute to the victims of the darkest period in the contemporary history of this small landlocked country in West Africa. For 22 years, under Yahya Jammeh’s regime, numerous and egregious violations of human rights were committed.

A Personal and Collective Wound, a Fight to Confront it

Ayeshah fearlessly confronts and challenges this story, her story. She is the niece of Yahya Jammeh, and she recounts the loss of her father and aunt, victims of the dictator’s malevolence. However, when he was overthrown in 2017, Ayeshah, like many Gambians, chose to transform this unfathomable and everlasting wound into the genesis of her fight—for herself, for other victims, and for the future of Gambia.

“I am able to overcome it because I believe that my courage and strength, which I primarily derive from my mother, are an inexhaustible source of inspiration. As a victim of human rights violations, I am able to speak up for myself, which gives me a strong voice to do what I am doing now. The journey has been arduous, far from a smooth sailing. Yet, I stand here today, determined to secure justice for my family,” she confides.

In the spirit of the “Memory House,” Ayeshah has created a podcast consisting of about twenty episodes. “The Victim’s Podcast,” proudly proclaimed as “Gambia’s pioneering podcast on transitional justice,” grants a voice to victims of the Jammeh regime, experts in peace and justice, and sheds light on pivotal moments from the era of dictatorship. It serves as an alternative means of expression, augmenting her relentless pursuit of justice.

But Ayeshah’s most significant role is as an activist and co-founder of “The Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations,” a non-governmental organization that has documented victims’ stories, providing not only psychological support but also legal counsel. Ayeshah is in charge of the organization’s programs and documentation.

In collaboration with the newly appointed government, bolstered by unwavering support from international institutions such as the United Nations and, notably, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this indispensable work has furnished the organization with invaluable information that fueled the work of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) between 2018 and 2022.

The entire country closely followed the proceedings of the Commission, whose main feature was to be inclusive and popular. Now, as everyone awaits the publication of the white paper containing the recommendations from the TRRC, the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations continues to advocate with the authorities to bring this process to a close.

“Justice must be fully served. I firmly believe that advocating for victims’ rights in pursuit of justice is a means to ensure that abuses and crimes will never be repeated. It is also what will enable us to turn the page and fully embark on an era marked by good governance,” Ayeshah reminds us.

Hope for a Brighter Future

Ayeshah discerns significant strides already taken towards bolstering democracy and stability since Adama Barrow assumed the mantle of leadership.

Ayeshah believes that the youth are increasingly being heard and involved in the political decision-making processes. This, in turn, provides the youth with more opportunities, especially in their professional lives.

“We have men and, above all, women who are inspiring, determined, and enterprising in various fields such as the agro-industry, digital technology, and business. Our mission not only encompasses the pursuit of justice for the victims but also centers on fostering the progress of young people and women, empowering them to surge ahead. That is my dream for the future!” she concludes.

Culled from undp.org/gambia