Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) has announced that among its last themes to publicly hear includes the enforced disappearance of journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh.
Chief Ebrima Manneh was one of Gambia’s finest journalists working for the defunct Daily Observer and disappeared in 2006, but many feared he is death.
“The truth commission probing into human rights vacations and killings allegedly occurred under the 22-year rule of exile Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh, said it “recently undertook a comprehensive review of the remaining themes in its work programme covering public hearings and investigations. These themes include the enforced disappearances of journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh and others,” the commission head commissioner Dr Lamin Sise said.
The commissioner said it will look into “the April 14, 2016 protest leading to the arrest and torture of many persons and the alleged killing of Solo Sandeng, and the killing of an estimated 56 West African migrants in 2005.
Dr Sise further said it will also look into “the creation of instruments of oppression and the debasement of the Gambian constitution, sexual and gender-based violence (part two), and Junglers (part two).
“The Commission, in compliance with the COVID-19 related health regulations issued by the Government, scaled down its activities. In view of the interruptions in its work programme, the Commission concluded that in order to complete its work in a timely manner, it needed more time beyond the two years provided for under the TRRC Act, 2017,” Dr. Sesi requested.
He added: “Accordingly, the Commission, on 18 November 2020, recommended to the President of the Republic to extend the time granted to TRRC until 30 June 2021. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice informed the Commission that the President, pursuant to Section (3), (2) of the TRRC Act, 2017, has approved the said recommendation.”
He disclosed that commission will, therefore, conclude its public hearings during the first week of May 2021, and prepare during the rest of May and June the final report containing its findings and recommendations.
He added that the report will be submitted to the President in early July 2021.
“In view of the urgency of finishing its work under the revised schedule, and in a departure from tradition, the Commission will not suspend its public hearings during the month of Ramadan (12 April-11 May 2021),” he disclosed.
