The victims and their relatives are once again commemorating the April 10 and 11 student massacre in The Gambia with great disappointment because the government has not yet made any amends.
“We, the victims of Jammeh, are disappointed by this government,” said Marie Therese, whose son Emily, well known as Kalisto, was shot and killed during the horrific events of April 10 and 11, 2000. We still haven’t gotten any kind of compensation nine years after the government changed.
Marie underlined that the victims’ suffering is still unresolved and that the government has not given them enough support.
She said, “What has the government done to demonstrate their concern for us?” “I doubt that President Adama Barrow is even aware of the victims’ identities.”
During a student protest on April 10 and 11, 2000, security forces cruelly murdered 14 innocent students, including Marie’s son. Even after 25 years, Marie’s anguish has not lessened, and she feels that reconciliation should come after reparations. She emphasised the significance of getting compensation in order to live a dignified life, even though she is willing to forgive the people who killed her son. Therese also denounced the persistence of several of the accused offenders in the current administration.
She declared, “The reparations are long overdue.” “We need reparations before we all die because victims are dying one after another.”
Now, disabled single mother Marie gets by on two meals a day. To make ends meet, she sells bread and sweets.
“My age has made it impossible for me to work anymore,” she said. She had been a teacher at Lamin’s St. John Clunny Nursery. Marie has not gotten any additional help from the government or other sources, other from the D100,000 token that she received from the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
“I want my money back. We are dying one after another, so all the victims need is their compensation,” she bemoaned.
Marie noted that many of the victims are in precarious situations and that some are compelled by their severe circumstances to live with others or rent. In order to show their support and compassion, she hopes the government will speak with the victims directly. She believes the government’s lack of interest in attending to their needs is demonstrated by the delayed reparations.
“We’re sick of waiting,” she remarked. “In the name of God, we implore the government to make amends for us, no matter how challenging that may be.”
Marie also stated her opinion that the reparations procedure shouldn’t be hampered by the prosecution of the offenders.
“They must take us into consideration as soon as possible in order to assist in resolving some of our issues and alleviating our suffering,” she continued.
Marie talked about her expectations for the incoming administration and how she thought the Coalition will deal with the problems that Jammeh’s government had overlooked.
“I voted for the Coalition in 2016 because of that,” she stated. I was overjoyed when Adama Barrow prevailed. I was dancing and partying in the streets despite my advanced age.
The president of the April 10/11 Memorial Foundation and survivor Sainey Senghore also voiced disappointment, pointing out that survivors are left to deal with trauma, physical impairments, and neglect while the relatives of the victims are still in mourning without answers.
Senghore declared, “The calls for justice are still being heard, but not much has been done.”
The government has been urged by the April 10/11 Memorial Foundation to offer victims and survivors monetary compensation in addition to immediate and ongoing medical, psychological, and social assistance for those still dealing with the fallout. In observance of the slain and surviving, the foundation has also called for the complete and prompt implementation of the TRRC’s recommendations as well as the designation of April 10 as a national public and school holiday.
Regardless of their present or previous positions, the foundation is also calling on the government to seek justice by bringing charges against individuals who killed, tortured, and unlawfully detained students.
Senghore said, “The disappointment and pain have not gone away.” “We cannot proceed if we abandon the survivors. Justice cannot be selective. We cannot postpone healing. Additionally, memories must not deteriorate.
