BY HALIFA SALLAH
10th May, 2025
A matter that should be easily resolved could be prolonged if the right steps are not taken at the right time.
The Janneh Commission made its findings and recommendations. It is the duty of the executive to implement the recommendations as long as there are no contentions to the content of the White Paper that should indicate the recommendations accepted by the executive. Appeal lies with the Court of Appeal, should there be contention.
The current matter arose as a result of the publication made by an investigative journalist. The long and short of the matter is that the Cabinet should meet to consider the public concerns arising from the allegations and provide remedies that would satisfy public expectation. This would have been sufficient to address the matter without any uproar.
Secondly, reaction by public objectors has resulted in arrests and detention. Such measures should also not be prolonged. Once a remedy is found to a public concern, any arrest and detention emanating from conduct that is linked to the matter at issue should also be laid to rest. The road to peace and tranquility rests on these two pillars.
Consultation has been done at the highest level of the executive and security apparatus and there is indication that the executive has started to address and will continue to address any concern on the subject matter. It is also reliably gathered that releases of arrestees will commence today and will continue within the ambit of due process. It is hoped that power will be exercised with wisdom and restraint to humble any wrong doing, remedy any defect and consolidate a culture of rights that is free from hostility and derogatory remarks and impunity.
We are engaged and will continue to add value to the process of building a better, more just and freer society based on mutual respect among the citizenry at large.
