The Gambian government has raised concerns about the corruption under the country’s former president Mr. Yahya Jammeh. According to the government official, they are ready to prosecute Mr. Jammeh for what is called “ the myriad crimes” he committed during his reign as the president of the country.
It was reacting to a report by the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, which scrutinized vitriols that took place during his 22 years in sovereignty.
The former leader has been impeached for corruption and serious human rights violations, including killings, disappearances, and imprisonments, targeting opponents, journalists, and gay men.
Mr. Jammeh attained power in a military coup in 1994 and dictated until 2017 when he went into exile after an awe electoral defeat.
The 57-year-old now lives in Equatorial Guinea, which, according to the AFP news agency, has no extradition treaty with The Gambia.
The independent counsel said Jammeh and his henchmen were accountable for 44 specific crimes against journalists, former soldiers, political opponents, and civilians, including killings and rapes.
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Marking the publication of the government’s official response to the TRRC report, Jallow said implementation of its recommendations must include
“clear timelines and measurable outcomes”.
“What I can say for certain is that former President Jammeh will face justice,” he said.
But Jallow declined to immediately lay out a timeline. Victims groups have complained about how slow progress toward eventual prosecutions has been.
“After so many years of waiting for justice or any form of a step taken, we congratulate the TRRC and the government for this initiative,” said Amie Sillah, whose father, a prominent lawyer, survived an assassination attempt ordered by Jammeh, according to the TRRC.
“All we need right now is implementation.”
The TRRC report recommended either prosecutions or amnesties for additional officials. The government said it accepted a recommendation that former vice president Isatou Njie Saidy be prosecuted but rejected one that Jammeh’s number 2 during the 1994 putsch receive amnesty.