By Adama Makasuba
Twenty years on since some security operatives of The Gambia opened live ammunition on armless students’ protesters that resulted in the death of some students and left dozens of others injured, but the pain still remained in Abdou Karim’s heart, who survive gun bullets in the eve.
He was 21-year-old attending schools but he decided to take part in a nationwide protest staged by students over the killing of their fellow, Ebrima Barry. Barry has been said to have been allegedly killed personnel of Gambia Fire and Rescue Service.
“April 10th/11 was the darkest days of the Gambia and particularly the students of our motherland, this was the day 14 of my colleagues were shoot dead by our own security forces and nothing came out of it,” he Jammeh said.
He said: “We only went out to demand justice for our colleagues Ebrima Barry who was touted to death by fire service officers and Binta Manneh who was rapt by PIU officers.”
Abdou Karim Jammeh now 41-year-old lives with other fellow victims in Turkey where they are receiving treatment thanks to the recommendation of Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission.
He now demands Barrow administration to make the country’s youth monument a memorial service centre for those who had lost their lives in the crusade and year mark the days as national holidays in remembrance of fallen students.
However, damning revelations have so far emerged from testimonies in the probe inquiry investigating rights abuses and killings happened under 22-year rule of Jammeh as dozens of witnesses including victims and perpetrators testified.
Former president Jammeh has been living in exile in Equatorial Guinea since losing in the 2016 presidential election. He is yet answer to allegations levelled against him and his regime as he is yet to appear before the Truth Commission.
