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Will the Gambia get justice after Barrow’s alliance with Jammeh’s party? | | Stories

It’s Gambia the most anticipated choice on December 4 when the race is about to close, the threat is greater for those who have been persecuted by former President Yahya Jammeh who – five years since he lost in the by-elections – do not see the culprits in the trial.

The names of the officials accused of gross human rights abuses in the 22-year-old Jammeh regime and who are due to be prosecuted were presented to President Adama Barrow last week.

Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) Shipping for 11 hours, just one week before the Gambians went to the polls, encouraged people who, after hearing nearly three years of alarming evidence, became alarmed. double-reported report can be solved by a change in power.

“Although it did not go well, I am very grateful that the TRRC issued its report,” said Nana-Jo Ndow, founder and executive director of ANEKED, whose father Saul Ndow allegedly forcibly disappeared during Jammeh’s administration. .

However, Ndow expressed frustration that the accused’s views had not been made public.

“This will prolong the disturbing wait for those involved to close,” he said, noting that the idea is not legally valid.

“The government can decide whether to comply. As a result, the fight for justice continues, “added Ndow.

There is uncertainty as to whether or not the TRRC’s proposals could be implemented by a change of government.

Concerns have been mounting among the victims and freedom fighters since Barrow, who had previously promised to deliver on TRRC commitments, formed an alliance with the old Jammeh – Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) to support his second victory.

‘The world has passed away’

The APRC has long denied that the TRRC is seeking to harass Jammeh and other party members and has recently pushed for a reconciliation deal claiming that the party has agreed with Barrow to pardon Jammeh, which paves the way for his return. in Gambia. He is currently being deported to Equatorial Guinea.

While there is no legitimate reason for an agreement to be pardoned, human rights activists believe that the treaty, if successful, could jeopardize long-term justice in this country. Major reforms, including the repeal of the Jammeh era and reform of the press and social law, have not been completed.

Many victims of anticipation of a change in government after many years feel that the Barrow government is ignoring them.

“The whole country has gone through a lot, and we fought hard to get Jammeh out,” said Fatoumatta Sandeng, whose father, a Solo Sandeng opposition leader, was arrested at a political rally in April 2016 and beaten to death when he was arrested by Jammeh’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

“We are afraid that if this government is re-elected, our war will be through the administration of the administration of the administration. management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system management system

He warned of possible civil unrest if, for example, “the APRC party grows bigger and says or does hurtful things against us, or Jammeh returns”.

Yahya Jammeh ruled the Gambia for 22 years [File: EPA]

There is a possibility of a change in power, and five others aspirants to higher positions. Barrow’s main opponents are his former ally and now Ousainou Darboe, 73, who is leading the country’s largest military party, the United Democratic Party (UDP).

Darboe was in jail for protesting the death of Solo Sandeng when Barrow was elected to lead the UDP in his absence. After serving as foreign minister and vice-president, Barrow, 56, ousted Darboe in 2019 for refusing to accept a second term, breaking his 2016 election promise to resign three years later.

“They [UDP] “It is a party that was severely bruised in Jammeh’s dictatorship, so one would think that it would take action to achieve what the TRRC agreed to do if it won the election,” said Madi Jobarteh, a human rights activist.

Disrupting Jammeh’s campaign

Despite his captivity, Jammeh has been making trouble in preparing for elections. Last month, he rejected the Barrow-APRC alliance and told his loyal supporters by tapping words at rallies to form a “No Alliance Movement” with Mama Kandeh running for the Gambia Democratic Congress.

Jammeh’s interference in the election campaign has been “deeply reversed”, believes Fatou Jagne Senghore, chief of human rights NGO Article 19 West Africa. “Jammeh’s absence, but political presence has disrupted the elections,” he said.

He worries that it has strengthened Jammeh’s followers and sympathizers, who have remained silent at the rallies.

“Even though people came and agreed with the TRRC, there are many people in this country who believe that many of the allegations against Jammeh are not true,” added Jagne Senghore, a Gambian who co-sponsored a campaign to resolve Jammeh’s case. lived in Senegal.

Jammeh was joined by witnesses to the Committee on the Assassination and Terrorism of the Enemy, a “witch hunt”, a false anti-HIV program, the killing of 56 migrants in West Africa, rape and rape.

Although the TRRC’s views were not immediately clear, “the committee left no doubt that Yahya Jammeh was the senior government official who encouraged him,” said Reed Brody of the International Commission of Jurists, who worked with and tortured Jammeh. delivery to TRRC.

Victims of human rights organizations held a public meeting on November 17 to discuss ways of doing so. justice.

As the campaign approaches last week, it appears to be a “two-horse race” between Barrow and Darboe, Jobarteh said.

Whoever will be Gambia’s next president, human rights activists have no doubt that there can be no unjust alliance.

“For me, as well as many victims, you would not force me to associate with the man who killed my father without my knowledge of justice. And knowing that he would have faced justice, but there was no political will for this to happen, “said Fatoumatta Sandeng, a spokeswoman for the Jammeh2Justice campaign.

“Bringing Jammeh to justice requires a very strong political vision and we have seen the difference with this government,” he added. “It’s a very difficult time.”




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