By Adama Makasuba
Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) on Friday the 15th of February toured the National Intelligence Agency headquarters in Banjul – now renamed as State Intelligence Services.
The commission mandated to investigate on the alleged human rights violations and atrocities occurred under ex-president Yahya Jammeh.
The famous Bambadinka Cell, an Interrogation Room, two Investigation Cells, a Staff Clinic and 10 Round Hooks detached from a wall in a room and a Metal table bed were visited during the tour.
National Intelligence Agency is identified to have been used by ex-president Jammeh to arrest, detain and torture both Gambians and none Gambians.
Upon arrival, Ousman Sowe, the Director General of the State Intelligence Services welcomed the officials of the Commission and produced some pictures of the old structures prior to his appointment to leadership for the past two years.
He also described the visit as significant while assured the support of his institution to the Commission, adding that the success of the Commission will be historic in the history of the county.
“The TRRC will be a turning page; it will be a coach to this country from where it was to where it is going”. He then added that there are no more excess on operational guidelines,” he stated.
Mr. Sowe, who has been working for the Intelligence for 24 years, said that so many rehabilitation and reformation have taken place since he took the helm of leadership at SIS, adding that the focus of the SIS is on national intelligence.
Under the former head of investigation at the defunct NIA, Sowe also said that the part of rehabilitating and transforming the headquarters was unfit environment for official duties and that they wanted to put off anything that was against human rights violations which have ever occurred.
Lamin J Sise, the lead commissioner said: “previous intelligences were mentioned during the testimonies by the witnesses, in addition to that we want to know them, educate and familiarizes ourselves and see what actually happened. We want to stand for our words.”
Lead counsel Essa Faal, urged officials of SIS to halt rehabilitating and transformation structures of the SIS premises in the interest of the commission and all the investigations that may be carried out.
