After carefully considering all the facts, I agree with the AG.
Going against the grain, and finding yourself on the opposite end with the people whose cause you are championing is the most difficult part of this decision. I have been pondering over this the last couple of days.
The victims and families can be rest assured; I will not shrink an inch from the responsibility to fully protect their interests and making sure justice is delivered. It is in fact to that end that I arrived at this decision. The Justice Minister and I had a very lengthy discussion on this matter and I trust he will do the right thing, I urge all of us to give him the benefit of the doubt.
At the end of the day – when the dust settles, the process is over, and the curtains have been drawn to clear the stage for the next chapter, everyone must be brought before a court of law whose case is a YES to any or all of the following criteria:
-Does the action meet the legal threshold of Looting of state resources?
-Does the action meet the legal threshold of Committing torture?
-Does the action meet the legal threshold of Committing murder?
There should be no Ifs or Buts about it. This is my position and I will join others to fight to make sure that is the case.
We could have done this differently, but since we have all decided to put our faiths in a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission process – a process that is ongoing, with many perpetrators who committed some of the most evil crimes testifying and allowed to continue with their lives until the Commission finalizes its recommendations, I believe we should exercise patience while of course maintaining our vigilance.
The release of these evil murderers is a very controversial one, and after speaking to him, i have no doubt Tambadou is well aware of that. But let’s also remember that this is neither an amnesty nor a deal to let these men to go scotfree – it is geared towards consistency which is very crucial in all matters of justice and incentivizing truth telling. These men will have to be brought before a court of law where their fates will be ultimately decided. As long as that prospect is not compromised or should I say; as long as the Justice Ministry is not compromised on that prospect, I urge restraint on our part to see the process to its justice delivery conclusion. We shall overcome.
