Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia on Friday marked the 26th anniversary of the April 10 -11 student demonstrations in 2000 during which 16 schoolchildren were killed by state security forces under the former government of Yahya Jammeh.
The incident, widely regarded as one of the darkest episodes in the country’s history, occurred when students took to the streets to protest against alleged brutality by security forces, including the killing of a student and the rape of a schoolgirl.
According to the Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations, the peaceful protests were met with excessive force, resulting in deaths, injuries, arrests and reports of rape and torture in several parts of the country.
The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which investigated human rights violations during former President Yahya Jammeh’s rule, later revealed details of the events, confirming that students were unlawfully killed, detained and subjected to various forms of abuse by security personnel.
Despite these findings, victims and their families say justice remains elusive more than two decades later.
“For 26 years, victims and their families have continued to face neglect, with limited access to medical, psychosocial, educational and financial support,” a statement from victims’ advocates said.
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), commemorating the anniversary, paid tribute to the victims, including a Red Cross volunteer, Omar Barrow, who was among those killed.
The organisation noted that while 16 lives were lost, many survivors continue to live with permanent injuries and psychological trauma, alongside families who have endured decades of suffering.
EFSCRJ also highlighted that, for years, authorities denied responsibility for the killings, attributing the violence to the students, a narrative later disproved by the TRRC’s findings.
The group welcomed recent steps in the country’s transitional justice process, including the appointment of a Special Prosecutor, Martin Hackett, and the establishment of a Reparations Commission.
However, it called for the urgent operationalisation of an independent court to prosecute those responsible, in line with the TRRC recommendations and the government’s White Paper.
“Justice delayed must not become justice denied,” the organisation said, urging authorities to expedite both prosecutions and reparations for victims.
EFSCRJ further expressed concern over ongoing reports of police brutality, stressing that accountability for past abuses must be matched by efforts to prevent current and future violations.
“It is unacceptable to pursue justice for past atrocities while tolerating ongoing violations,” the statement added.
As the country commemorates the anniversary, rights groups and victims’ organisations have renewed calls for justice, accountability and comprehensive support for survivors and affected families.
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