By Lamin Njie
The Gambia government on Monday announced an initial payment of 50 million dalasis to the TRRC to support the investigation in its reparations effort.
The TRRC is ensconced in a painstaking investigation into the human rights violations and abuses of the 22 years rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Victims of human rights violations and abuses have been sharing their stories with the investigation – and most of them will receive some form of compensation at the end of the exercise.
On Monday, the minister of justice said in a news conference in Banjul the Barrow administration was making an initial payment of 50 million dalasis to the TRRC and that the money was coming from the sale of the properties of former President Yahya Jammeh.
“This 50 million dalasis is being paid out from the proceeds of sale of former President Jammeh’s assets which are currently being sold in accordance with the recommendations of the Janneh Commission.
“It has become increasingly apparent to the government based on revelations at the TRRC over the past one year that former President Jammeh was a central pillar in the infrastructure of terror and human rights abuses that were unleashed on ordinary Gambians and others under his leadership.
“Consequently, the government deems it most fitting and just that reparations for his victims should be granted directly from his wealth and assets,” Abubacarr Tambadou said.
