Gambia: TRRC Will Usher A New Political Chapter, says Dr. Carrol, Lawyer Joof Says Gambians Enabled Jammeh

Dr. Henry Carrol, the Chairman of Gambia’s Law Reform Commission, and also a veteran Law Lecturer says the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) is going to usher a new chapter in Gambia’s Third Republic political dispensation. Mr. Carrol, was speaking in an exclusive interview with Freedom Radio Gambia’s Seedy Ceesay, on Friday, during the launching of the TRRC National Consultations. The AG Chambers’ senior lawyer, noted that healing the wounds of the past is sacrosanct as far as Gambia’s peace and stability is concerned.


“It is of paramount importance in the lives of Gambians because it opens up a new chapter and closes an old one. And there is a transition between these two periods. We are now on a threshold of a third republic. And as we go to the third republic, we have to heal the wounds of the past,” Carrol remarked adding “Because without healing the wounds of the past, that could be a threat to national security.”
Mr. Carrol says the wounds inflicted in the past against Gambians can be healed, but was quick to point out that no amount of healing can make the scars disappear.

“The wounds may heal, but the scars may remain. So, as Gambians we should forgive each other. Justice must not only be seen to be done, but it must be manifestly and undoubtedly seen to be done. In the process of administering justice, you should also temper justice with mercy,” Carrol said.
Mr. Carrol also said victims can sue their alleged violators under Gambian law. He cautioned Gambians to avoid prejudging people, who have been accused of committing crimes adding “under English law, all people are presumed innocent, until proven guilty by a court of law.”

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For his part, Gambian Human Rights Activist Lawyer Emmanuel Joof hailed the government’s move to set up the TRRC. He says the TRRC will avail the country, particularly victims to get to the bottom of what had happened during Jammeh’s rule. He says it would also help to avert a replica of what transpired during Jammeh’s decades long misrule.

Lawyer Joof noted that Jammeh was not alone during his oppressive rule. He says Gambians across the board were complicit to the dictator’s oppression. He called out religious leaders, professional bodies, and civil servants for being part of the Jammeh enabling machine.

“The Gambians have been very complicit and complacent. You see… Jammeh for twenty-two years did what he did; he didn’t do it alone. It was with the connivance of Gambians. Gambian enabled Jammeh. Gambians from all walks of life; from religious leaders; to professionals; civil servants,” Joof bluntly remarked.

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The Gambian human rights lawyer said under Barrow’s dispensation Gambians should change their attitude towards our leaders and governance. He says Jammeh’s dictatorship was propelled—thanks to sycophancy, and lack of honesty among people, who should speak truth to power.
Mr. Joof said the new Gambia should embrace honesty, respect for free press, and democratic institutions. He says in the absence of sound democratic institutions, it would be virtually impossible to have democratic rule.

Dr. Amadou Scattered Janneh spoke on behalf of the victims of Jammeh’s misrule. Janneh says he was impressed by Justice Minister Baa Tambadou’s statement that the TRRC will cater for reparations for the victims of Jammeh’s despotic rule, and bringing the perpetrators human rights violations to book.
Mr. Janneh hailed the TRRC for the brilliant initiative. He said it will help to restore justice and national reconciliation.

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Justice Minister Baa Tambadou has called on the perpetrators of human rights violations to come forward and state their own side of the story before the TRRC. Failure of which, he warns could lead to the government filing charges against the perpetrators, if concrete evidence is gathered against them in the foreseeable future.
Mr. Tambadou said the TRRC is not a witch hunting Commission. He says the goal of the Commission is to probe into what had transpired during Jammeh’s rule—with the view of preventing its reoccurrence in the new Gambia.

On former Interior Minister Ousman Sonko’s possible extradition to the Gambia, Tambadou emphatically stated that government is not making any extradition request from the Swiss authorities to turn in Mr. Sonko. He says Sonko is being tried in Switzerland by the Swiss authorities.
Mr. Tambadou said The Gambia government has been supportive in providing information to the Swiss prosecutors in regards to the former Minister’s prosecution.