Africa-Press – Gambia. The Victim Center, a leading organization representing victims of The Gambia’s former regime, has called on President Adama Barrow to issue a national apology and provide financial support for reparations, citing years of government inaction.
In an exclusive interview on Kerr Fatou’s Grand Bantaba Program, National Coordinator Kebba Jome expressed deep frustration over the lack of government funding and formal recognition.
“The government has never given us even a dime since inception,” Jome said, contrasting The Gambia’s situation with other countries where victim organizations receive state support. He also highlighted unfulfilled promises, including a pledge by the president to visit the Victim Center during the Meet With the People Tour.
“We’ve tried to engage the president on numerous occasions… but that again failed,” he said, noting misconceptions about the center’s political affiliations. “What we want is for the president to come to the victim center and face the victims and make a national apology on behalf of the former government.”
The organization’s demands align with recommendations from the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which have yet to be implemented. “The moment the president comes and apologizes nationally, that will start the healing process,” Jome emphasized, adding Gambians “easily forgive each other.”
Jome also criticized the government’s management of TRRC funding. In 2018, an advance of D50 million was provided, but no further support followed. “Out of 2,600 documented cases, 1,009 were eligible for reparation,” he said, referencing funds linked to the sale of the former President Jammeh’s mansion.
“The Jammeh Mansion has been sold. After selling it, the American government made it categorically clear that they will not give the money to the Government of The Gambia for one reason or another. They said they will not give it unless the reparation commission is established and given their account number and the money is deposited into the reparation account,” Jome explained.
According to Jome, the reparation commission was sworn in in April, and steps are now being taken to open a U.S. dollar account at the Central Bank of The Gambia. “The account details have been shared with the American government, and the U.S. embassy has been notified,” he said. The funds are estimated to total approximately $2 million.
The Victim Center is urging the Gambian government to act immediately to address victims’ concerns and provide the necessary support for their rehabilitation and reparations.
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