By Lamin Njie
Abubacarr Tambadou on Monday called for understanding in the wake of his decision to release three former members of former president Yahya Jammeh’s elite killing crew.
The Justice Minister last Friday recommended the release from custody of Malick Jatta, Omar A Jallow and Amadou Badjie. The three beleaguered soldiers who have been under detention for almost two and a half years appeared before the TRRC last month telling the investigation they took part in the killing of dozens of people on the orders of former president Yahya Jammeh.
On Monday, the Justice Minister at a midday press conference confirmed he has made a decision to release the three soldiers.
“The cooperation of these three men has been very critical to the TRRC processand this should be recognized,” Mr Tambadou said.
The Fatu Network broke the news of the three former killers release on Friday – and the development quickly sparked widespread outrage. The mother of Alhagie Mamut Ceesay who was killed by Omar Jallow told The Fatu Network “I am indeed shocked, surprised and fearful for [The] Gambia.”
“If the jugulars are capable of killing Gambians for 22 years then they are capable of doing it again for Jammeh or for any one with power,” Ya Amie Ceesay added.
But the justice minister insists the decision to release the three men is in the victims’ “long term interests.”
“I therefore continue to count on the understanding of the public and especially the victims. We need your continued trust and partnership in this process if we are to learn from the mistakes of others and make a success of our truth commission. And so far, we have been able to successfully navigate through our own challenges by making the right strategic decisions at the right times,” Mr Tambadou said.
