Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – Families and survivors of more than thirty Ghanaians who were slain in the Gambia in 2005 have petitioned Justice Minister Dawda Jallow, expressing their frustration over the lack of information regarding the steps taken to follow the findings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
The petition, presented by the Women’s Association for Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE) at a public lecture on transitional justice in Bakau, requested updates on various issues related to the TRRC report.
The TRRC report revealed that state officials, acting on former President Jammeh’s orders, forcibly killed forty-four Ghanaians and fifteen other migrants from West Africa, including one Gambian, in July 2005. The commission recommended prosecution for those responsible and D32 million in compensation for the victims.
Despite the Gambia government’s commitment in its May 2022 white plan to expedite compensation through the victims’ individual governments, the petitioners claim they have not received any communication from the Ghanaian government regarding the progress and procedures for implementing the TRRC report.
The victims from Ghana demanded that the Gambian government communicate with them concerning the TRRC report implementation, prosecute former President Jammeh and the Junglers for the unlawful disappearances and killings, pay reparations recommended by the Truth Commission, exhume the dead bodies for proper burial, and provide psychological counseling services to the family members.
Among the petitioners are four survivors, including Martin Kyere, who described how he escaped through the Foni woodland, where the migrants were allegedly being lined up to be executed.
Special Advisor Ms. Persson assured the victims that the government is committed to providing justice, accountability, and reparations to all victims. She pledged to present the petition to the Justice Minister and highlighted the Reparations Commission’s efforts to expedite compensation payments through a newly established fund.
Furthermore, Madam Persson informed the victims about a new law establishing a Special Prosecutor’s Office, which will decide which cases to prosecute before an international tribunal court and a Special Division.
The public lectures on transitional justice hosted by WAVE aim to foster understanding of the challenges victims face in their quest for justice, truth, healing, and reconciliation.
