‘Adama Barrow has let everybody down’ - Chairman Victims Center

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By KAM NYANCHO

Sheriff Kijera, Chairman of the Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violation has reacted to the granting of permit to the supporters of the Alliance for Patriotic Reconciliation Construction (APRC) Party.

In an exclusive interview with The Monitor at the centre for victims’ office in Kololi, he asserted that President Adama Barrow and his government has let everybody down by issuing permit to the former dictator’s party.

Late on Wednesday, January 16, 2020, Mamud Jobe, Inspector General of Gambia Police Force (GPF) approved a permit request filed by the APRC at the disapproval of dozens of victims of the ex-president including activists who raised concerns about the former president’s series of violations of human rights.

The ex-president has been adversely mentioned at the ongoing Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) for crimes relative to torture, detentions without trials, arbitrary arrest, rape, extra-judicial killings among other heinous crime.

Former President Yahya Jammeh is currently in exiled in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea where he has been living since January 2016 following his defeat by a coalition when he sought for reelection for a fifth term in office.

“It is quite disappointing that Adama Barrow let everybody down, the government let everybody down. I think is more of a political decision than the decision coming from the IGP because until 6:00pm to 7:00pm APRC were not issued with a permit, am sure there were some political lobbying,” opined Sheriff Kijera.

He added: “We all know the position of the President, he want to prolong his stay. He wants to perpetuate himself in power. He wants to contest the next election so he will do anything by any means necessary to get the support of the APRC or to go into an alliance with the party so as to enhance his dreams to go true.”

Kijera revealed that throughout the country the former President’s victims expressed disappointment with the decision of President Barrow and his government in granting permit to the APRC.

He stated that victims of the former president have already written a permit that should be handed over to the IGP in order to embark on a counter protest slated for Saturday 25^th January, 2020.

“We are calling on all victims including the general public to come out in their large numbers to demonstrate, seek justice for the victims, to reiterate our call to bring Jammeh to justice. Jammeh must face justice. Jammeh must answer to all the allegations hanging around his neck, “said Sheriff Kijera.

He added: “We have heard various testimonies from the TRRC. These allegations are so grave, and it can never go unpunished. Jammeh and all those that bear the greatest responsibilities must be brought to book and face justice.”

Kijera said victims of the ex-president are in dire need of closure to the various crimes committed against them.

He said many of the Jammeh’s victims are still nursing the 22 years old wounds inflicted upon them.