Sources close to the transitional justice programme indicate that a minimum of US$150 million is required to carry out all 263 recommendations and 304 activities of the TRRC, which includes the prosecution of former president Yahya Jammeh.
The Ministry of Justice has recently presented its implementation plan in response to the government’s white paper on the TRRC recommendations. The allocation includes US$5,430,000 for justice and accountability, US$30,360,000 for legal reforms, US$28,020,000 for institutional reforms and training, and US$50,000 for coordination.
Sources suggest that the majority, if not all, of the funding is anticipated to be provided by The Gambia’s development partners.
During a post-TRRC engagement on Friday, which was organised to inform stakeholders about the progress in implementing the commission’s recommendations, Justice Minister Dawda Jallow emphasised the government’s unwavering dedication to executing the TRRC recommendations as outlined in its white paper.
“This involves seeking institutional and legal reforms to enhance governance, safeguard human rights, and avert future abuses.” We envision a New Gambia built on the principles of accountability, justice, and a steadfast commitment to human rights and the rule of law. “The path we have chosen is grounded in truth and accountability, and while reconciliation is challenging, it is essential,” he stated.
Minister Jallow emphasised that the government’s actions today will lay the groundwork for a Gambia in which the atrocities of the past will not linger in its national conscience.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Momodou Tangara, stated: “To guarantee the full implementation of the 263 TRRC recommendations, we must consolidate our efforts. By implementing these recommendations, we aim to address past injustices and create a future where respect for human rights and the rule of law are central to our actions, ensuring that all citizens can live with dignity.
The country’s accomplishments in transitional justice to date have received global acknowledgement. “The TRRC has received acclaim as a commendable model by the UN and in various parts of the globe. Numerous nations aiming to implement their own transitional justice initiatives are turning to The Gambia’s method as a model for guidance…from Lesotho to South Sudan, Ethiopia, and further afield,” he noted.
Minister Tangara stated that the TRRC merely acts as a stepping stone, emphasising that it is the implementation that will ultimately decide if “our efforts are celebrated as a triumph or remembered as a failure.”
Ultimately, we have a responsibility to the victims and survivors of human rights violations.
Prior to our publication last night, we made multiple efforts to obtain a response from Minister Jallow to verify and clarify these figures and statements, but were unsuccessful.
