By Nelson Manneh
The Ministry of Interior with support from the United Nations Development Program on Tuesday, 13th August 2024, validated the draft Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill, 2024.
The peace and reconciliation commission bill, 2024 is part of the recommendation made by the Truth Commission. One of the TRRC recommendations called for the establishment of a legal and institutional framework, the Peace and Reconciliation Commission (PRC).
The UNDP project on “Strengthening the National Infrastructure for Peace (I4P) to Promote Social Cohesion in The Gambia (2023-2025)”, is the one supporting the Ministry of Interior to hire a consultant that has consulted with numerous stakeholders, including the executive and leaders of political parties, the Supreme Islamic Council, Gambia Christian Council, TANGO, the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), and members of the National Assembly Committees on Security, Defense, Human Rights, and Constitutional Matters. The draft PRC Bill will be subjected to a stakeholder’s validation on August 13th2024.
The Peace and Reconciliation Commission is supposed to champion healing, reconciliation, and social cohesion during The Gambia’s democratictransition process. Recommendation 545 of the TRRC report, which was reiterated in the Government’s White Paper and its Implementation Plan, specifically proposes that The Gambia should establish a “Peace and Reconciliation Commission (PRC) with a clear mandate to promote peace, reconciliation, healing and foster social cohesion, and should have structures at the decentralized level to ensure that all parts of the country are involved.”
Ms Mandisa Mashologu the UNDP Resident Representative in the Gambia, said the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission relayed a strong call from the Gambian people for peace, reconciliation, healing, and social cohesion based on the truth they told. “Reconciliation is the only path to ‘NEVER AGAIN’. It restores trust, which is the glue for building relationships, for society. There is no cohesion without trust and Reconciliation clarifies a united future rooted in a shared vision of how society should be structured and transform. Because it brings out the best in people, communities, and societies, reconciliation is restorative, empowering, and lays the foundation for a political construct of empathy, compassion, humanity, and compromise.”
The UNDP Resident Representative said she is confident that a Peace and Reconciliation Commission will meet those aspirations and play an important role in supporting victims and society in The Gambia to move beyond the painful past into a united and peaceful future.
“Over the years, UNDP has learned how crucial it is for peace and reconciliation commissions to be established in a right manner if a country is to recover and be placed firmly on the path to unity and sustainable peace,” she stated.
Ms Mashologu said as part of their broader support to transitional justice processes, UNDP helps countries to avoid such mistakes. We help design Peace and Reconciliation bodies that are independent, inclusive, and adapted to the specific challenges and opportunities of that country.
“We also support measures to ensure reconciliation is driven and owned by the people; that it is victim-centered and has the courage and capacity to address all grievances to pave the way for a reconciled and healed society—one that is resilient to future stresses,” she stated.
Mr Muhammed S Bah, a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG), said the establishment of the Peace and Reconciliation Commission is not just about responding to the past; it’s about preparing for a peaceful future, ensuring that the values of harmony, justice, and coexistence are embedded in our national fabric.
“Over the past months, we have engaged in various activities to inform this process. Notably, we embarked on a study tour to Ghana, where we observed first-hand the effectiveness of their peace infrastructure,” he stated.
He said that the experience provided them with valuable insights and affirmed the importance of having a dedicated institution—like a Peace Council or Commission—that is independent, diverse, and inclusive.
Moreover, he said they have conducted nationwide consultations here in The Gambia, where the voices of our people were loud and clear.
“The draft PRC Bill we are deliberating today is a product of these extensive consultations. It embodies the wisdom of our people and the lessons we have learned from other nations. As we engage in these discussions, let us keep in mind the trust that has been placed in us—the trust to build a Peace and Reconciliation Commission that truly represents the hopes and aspirations of all Gambians,” he stated.
