John Charles Njie, chairman of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in The Gambia has observed that former President Yahya Jammeh should have been officially written to come and testify before the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) before rounding up its public hearings.
The truth Commission on Friday, 28th May, 2021, concluded its public hearing sessions with the appearance of three hundred and ninety one (391) witnesses from both home and abroad to give their accounts on violations of rights that included tortures, detentions without trials, arbitrary arrest and detentions, murders among others that were committed during the reign of Yahya Jammeh from July 1994 to January 2021.
However, the former President who was adversely mentioned for having committed gross human rights violations that included the murder of more than 214 people excluding those disappeared during his reign has not appeared before the public hearings prompting the CSO Chief to asked why Jammeh was not written or invited to give testimony to come to the bottom of the whole truth.
“One concern I have been asking for is, has Jammeh been invited officially and give his side of the story. Because if you are searching for the truth everyone must be given the chance and if this has not been done that must have been an oversight,” John Charles Njie argued.
He added: “We should have got Jammeh written officially to invite him, if he turns it down fine, if he is not coming fine. Even if they have told him the accusations against him and what he has to say. For me when we want the truth no stone should be left unturned until we come to the truth.”
Responding to concerns that the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) should be banned against the backdrop of crimes and violations committed under its watchful eyes, CSO Chief said crimes committed by the ex-president cannot be used as a yardstick against the party, adding that APRC is a legally registered party which is why it is left to operate against the dismay of many Gambians.
CSO Executive Secretary commended the TRRC team for doing a very good job in unraveling the truth hidden from The Gambian people by the past regime, noting a lot more could have been uncovered by the commission if not a matter of time and circumstances.
“I think the work is ready now, then having a report and coming up with recommendations and most importantly to having the authorities to buy in it for the implementation of the recommendations. Gambians both home and abroad are looking up to the authorities to ensure that the recommendations required are fully implemented,” CSO Chief disclosed.
He added: ” Lives has been lost, it is really left to all of us to put our hands together and work towards healing this country. To give reparations to the victims and to ensure that justice is been done.”