By Mustapha Jallow
Isatou alias “Aisha” Jammeh, the co-founder and programs officer for the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations last Thursday said the victims of ex-dictator Jammeh need justice and accountability, but not chaos or division among themselves.
“We don’t need division among ourselves {victims}. We only need unity and progress to achieve our goals of justice and accountability in ensuring that there’s never again in the Gambia,” she remarked.
Aisha made these remarks at the victims’ house, where the center’s board members made some clarifications about the recent resignation of their ex-chairman Demba Ali Jawo as well as expressed disappointment with him over his claims that he was not able to “fit in” the equation that existed in the center.
Jammeh went on to urge Gambian media to help them in their advocacy efforts but not to divide them. She talked about how publicizing the government’s white paper as well as engaging victims over their concerns would make the transition easier.
“It is also important we verify the information that we take outside because we are at a very crucial point of the implementation of the government’s white paper. One thing I always say is that the post-TRRC or transitional justice process is a collective work and national concern. So, it’s not just victims that are only affected. It’s about us {here}, especially the media and the general public as well as our partners,” Jammeh stated.
Therefore, she added: “I want to urge you {journalists} to always come forward and clarify with the center. If you heard anything concerning the victims or the center itself — please visit the center for clarification. We will give you all the answers you need.”
Several accusations or allegations were thrown at the center but Aisha strongly believed that the center had nothing to hide.
On the audit report of the center, Jammeh told reporters and all those in need of the report should visit the center and a copy of the report would be released to them.
Lamin Sey, the board secretary for victims-center expressed his disappointment with the manner their ex-chair Jawo resign.
“I am personally disappointed with him,” he says.
Sey told reporters that they were expecting the ex-chair to table his plans for the institution before the secretariat and board, but were surprised that instead of doing that, he resigned from his position, claiming he was not able to “fit in” the equation that exists at the center.
“As long as we know the board chair never had an issue with anyone or the institution,” Sey added.
He said Jawo expressed some dissatisfaction which has never been discussed with the secretariat.
Adama Jallow, national coordinator for the center deliberated on the center’s priority — which is ensuring that the reparations committee is set up to start working since many victims always ask about their reparations.
He added holding Jammeh to account and the setting up of a hybrid court is some of their priorities.
But Jallow thanked Jawo for honouring his position and serving the center over the past months, but expressed concern over Jawo’s remarks about his plans to execute his functions as a board chair for the center. He alleged that Jawo had never presented any proposal to execute his function in the centre.
Sirra Ndow, executive secretary for ANEKED and board member as well as the chairperson for Alliance of Victim-led Organisation (AVLO), made some clarifications regarding local newspaper publications about D.A.Jawo and the center, especially the secretariat’s day-to-day activities.
Further reacting to the publication made by a local newspaper that some members of the Centre had rival victims organisations that are competing with the main centre for funds, she refuted it as an incorrect statement.
Out of nine board members of the Victims’ Centre, she explained: “Only two led victim organizations; that are me as executive secretary for ANEKED and Muhammed Solo Sandeng, executive secretary for Solo Sandeng Foundation.”
According to her, both organizations are part and parcel of victims’ centre but are never competing with the centre for funding as alleged.
