Full Breakdown
The Quest for Justice in The Gambia: Survivors of Yahya Jammeh's Regime Demand Accountability
2/20/2026, 11:07:36 PM
Historical Context of Human Rights Abuses
Yahya Jammeh ruled The Gambia from 1994 to 2017, during which his administration was marked by widespread human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances. Following his departure into exile in Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia established the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) to investigate these abuses and recommend reparations for victims.
Survivors' Struggle for Justice
Survivors of Jammeh's regime, such as Yusupha Mbye, who was left paralyzed after a 2000 protest against police brutality, express that monetary compensation is insufficient without accountability for the perpetrators. Mbye, who received a small compensation of 19,000 dalasi (approximately $259) in 2020, returned the payment, stating, “I needed medical treatment, not cash.” He emphasizes the need for those responsible for his suffering to face justice, particularly as Jammeh remains unpunished abroad.
Similarly, Mamudou Sillah, whose brother was executed in 1994, received 600,000 dalasi ($8,170) as part of the reparations process but insists that true justice requires accountability for Jammeh and his associates. “Yes, money is important,” Sillah stated, “but what we really want is justice.”
The Role of the Reparations Commission
The Gambian government has allocated 40 million dalasi (about $550,000) to fund reparations over five years, with payments being issued in phases. Badara Loum, chairperson of the Reparations Commission, asserts that reparations are a core part of the transitional justice process. However, many victims feel that without the prosecution of Jammeh and other key figures, the reparations lack meaningful impact.
Ongoing Challenges and Delays
Despite some perpetrators being prosecuted, many remain at large, including Jammeh, who has evaded local courts. The Gambia is working towards establishing a Special Prosecutor’s Office and a hybrid Special Tribunal, supported by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to address these crimes. International courts have also taken action, with convictions against former members of Jammeh’s paramilitary unit.
However, the slow pace of justice has led to frustration among victims and their families. Many have died waiting for accountability, including Femi Peters, a political activist who passed away in 2018, and Nogoi Njie, who died in 2023 without seeing justice for her torture. Isatou Ceesay, Njie’s daughter, lamented, “It hurts deeply that my mother died without seeing justice.”
The Path Forward
As The Gambia navigates its transition from dictatorship to democracy, the urgency for accountability remains critical. Kebba Jome, head of The Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations, emphasizes the need for victims to be at the heart of the justice process. While reparations have begun, human rights lawyer Imran Darboe warns that without transparency and accountability, they risk becoming mere transactions.
The TRRC identified 1,009 victims eligible for reparations, with many still awaiting compensation. As survivors like Mbye and Sillah continue to seek justice, the nation faces the challenge of confronting its past before it is too late. Mbye poignantly reflects, “People keep saying justice is coming. But will it ever arrive?”
