Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The Gambia has taken a major step in its transitional justice process with the commencement of reparations payments to victims of human rights violations committed during the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
In a press release issued on Monday, the Gambia Reparations Commission announced that it has begun disbursing reparations to eligible victims for abuses committed between July 1994 and January 2017, marking a significant milestone in the country’s post-authoritarian accountability and recovery efforts.
The payments are being made in phases and organized by year of violation, starting with victims whose cases date back to 1994, the year Jammeh seized power in a military coup.
According to the Commission, eligible victims and victim groups are being contacted directly to verify their information and complete the required procedures ahead of disbursement.
The reparations program is a core pillar of The Gambia’s transitional justice framework, which emerged from the work of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
The TRRC documented widespread abuses under Jammeh’s regime, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence, and arbitrary detention, and recommended reparations alongside prosecutions and institutional reforms.
“The commencement of reparations payments marks a significant milestone in the Commission’s mandate to facilitate justice, restore dignity, and support the recovery of victims,” the Reparations Commission said.
Victims who have not completed their registration or who need to update their personal details have been urged to contact the Commission promptly.
To ensure efficient processing, applicants are required to present a valid identification document, bank account or Wave mobile money details, and any relevant supporting documentation from the TRRC, where applicable.
Recognizing the challenges faced by some victims, particularly those in rural communities or with limited mobility, the Commission called on community members and civil society organizations to assist victims in completing registration and verification processes.
The launch of reparations payments comes as The Gambia continues to advance broader accountability measures, including preparations for special judicial mechanisms to prosecute individuals found liable for crimes by the TRRC.
While reparations are not a substitute for criminal justice, they are widely viewed by victims and advocates as an essential acknowledgment of harm suffered and a tangible step toward healing.
The Reparations Commission, chaired by Dr. Badara Loum, reaffirmed its commitment to delivering what it described as “transformative, transparent, and victim-centered reparations” in line with its legal mandate, as survivors of Jammeh-era abuses continue their long quest for justice, recognition, and redress.
