The Minister of Women Affairs and Overseer of the Office of the Vice President, Madame Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang has said that truth is a bitter pill that is taken to get well from one’s sickness.
Madame Jallow Tambajang made these statements in a keynote address at the consultations on transitional justice in The Gambia held at the Paradise Suites, Kololi.
“The truth, they say is a bitter pill. But if one is sick and must take a bitter pill to get well, then one must be ready to take the pill,” Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang said.
The Overseer of the Office of the Vice President and Minister Of Women Affairs who was delivering the keynote address at the request of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies ACDHRS, explained that development cannot be achieved without peace so is justice and reconciliation without the truth.
Minister Jallow Tambajang said there might be challenges in the implementation of the TRRC, but such challenges she said can be overcome by commitment and dedication to the search for justice and accountability.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights which are very important pillars for national development. She encouraged stakeholders to be engaged in the process as the search for justice and accountability is not the responsibility of the government alone.
The Chairman of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies ACDHRS, Mr. Andrew Chigovera in his welcome remark highlighted the importance of engaging women in the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations process.
“There can be no genuine reconciliation without truth,” Mr. Andrew Chigovera added.
The ACDHRS Chairman said The Gambia has won global attention in January when it peacefully resolved the political crisis that arose following the December, 2016 Presidential elections.
“The truth must be told and heard. It may not be pleasant but it is part of the healing process,” he asserted.
ACDHRS Chairman said there can be no development without peace. No peace without justice and no justice and reconciliation without the truth. He assured the Centre and its partners willingness to collaborate when the need arise. He emphasized that the outcome and recommendations must be implemented with support from donor partners.
Tabu Sarr spoke on behalf of Gender Action Team GAT on the role of women in the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations process in The Gambia.
As a network of civil society organization, she said they are closer to the grassroots as they are major actors with the required capacity to reach diverse areas such as, civic education, democracy, human rights, peace and conflict among other things.
The forum was organized by the ACDHRS and partners.
