Gambia’s New Political Alliance Leave Jammeh Era Victims In Doubt Of Getting Justice

A new political alliance announced in The Gambia between the party of ex-President Yahya Jammeh and the governing party has thrown into doubt whether some of the former ruler’s victims will get justice.

The long-serving leader who was defeated by Adama Barrow in the last election and, after a month-long stand-off, fled the country in January 2017.

Testimony about what happened during his 22-year rule – heard at the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) – revealed stories of extreme violence, torture, arbitrary arrests and murder.

Details of the agreement between Jammeh’s Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) and the president’s National People’s Party have not been made public.

However, AFP news agency is quoting APRC secretary-general Fabakary Tombong Jatta as saying that the objective is for former President Jammeh to return to the country peacefully and in dignity.

The alliance comes three months ahead of the next presidential election.

A resident in the capital, Banjul, criticised the alliance saying “It is very wrong and unjust, especially for the victims”.