On Wednesday, 25th May 2022, The Gambia Government through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) unveiled its highly anticipated White Paper on the report on the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The 25 May is a significant day in the annals of Africa’s social political trajectory towards prosperity and it is therefore appropriate that the White Paper is presented to Gambians and friends of The Gambia on this remarkable day.
It is highly commendable that the Government of President Adama Barrow has accepted 92 percent of the TRRC recommendations and is determined to follow a roadman for the implementation of the report.
There will be a post-TRRC residual mechanism that will see the decoupling of the portfolio of Minister of Justice and Attorney General, creation of Special Prosecution Unit, digitization of The Gambia’s justice delivery system, capacity building of judicial and security personnel, memorialization through monuments and indigenous knowledge of our customary joking relations.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), political parties and our international partners have been give due consideration in the implementation process of the TRRC report. This is a manifestation of political will on the side of The Gambia in consolidating a broad-based transformation process of our society.
History teaches us that many societies descend into chaos and anarchy after the collapse of a dictatorial system of governance. The Gambia successfully prevented this chaos thank to our social fabric, the joking relationship that was highly praised by the TRRC, a legitimate transitional justice process and the understanding that both confirmed victims and perpetrators are Gambians who are abound by a common destiny of living together.
With patience, discipline and the desire to prevent a recurrence of abuse, Gambian collectively appreciated the transitional justice and this is evident in the open display of public satisfaction over the position of The Gambia Government.
The rustications of persons found wanting are following the due process of law, victims are placed at the centre of reparations, reconciliation and speedy delivery of justice. With confidence, one can conclude that the generous blueprint of The Gambia Government on the TRRC will yield measurable democratic dividend for citizens of our nation.