Gambia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice has Monday clarified reports about the decision he took to recommend the release of the three hitmen who confessed to the ongoing Sixth Session of the truth commission that they took part in various extra-judicial killings. They all confirmed that they acted at the direction of Gambia’s former longtime ruler.
“This press conference was called by me as part of efforts to reaching out to the wider victims’ family and the general public to explain the rationale behind this action,” he told journalists during a news conference held at the Attorney General’s Chambers building in Banjul.
Tambadou came under fire as he endorsed the release of Malick Jatta, Omar Jallow and Amadou Badgie who testified before the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), revealing chilling details of gruesome crimes they committed under the previous regime.
In an attempt to set the record straight, Tambadou said he has no overriding agenda. He then added that he is only pursuing the national interest.
Last Friday, Tambadou met with top officials of the victims’ center in order to clear air over an issue that continues to generate waves of reactions on social media platforms.
“I’ve consistently taken actions in support of the victims. If I take this, it means it is in line with this stance,” he remarked.
Tambadou seized the opportunity to indicate that they were able to obtain the cooperation of the trio to assist the commission in the truth finding process. But he declined to disclose the details surrounding the plea deal they have reached with the three Junglers.
“The three have assisted all of us in this country to establish the truth about several incidents. If they cooperate, we need to recognize that assistance,” he said.
He further stated that if there are others who are reluctant to tell truth and they all remain in detention, it will be difficult to justify the prolonged detention of those who cooperated with the truth commission.
“Why should they tell the truth if they are in a similar situation with those who are not telling the truth? ” he asked. “What is the incentive?”
The tiny West African nation is emerging from two-decade long dictatorship marked by arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings. The new regime has vowed to right the wrongs of the past, and help victims’ families to have closure.
Tambadou warned that if the remaining three ex-members of Yahya Jammeh’s kill team failed to cooperate with the truth commission, he will not recommend their release.
Witnesses continue to take the stand at the truth commission. At the end of the process, the TRRC is expected to come up with recommendations for the indictment of perpetrators due to the evidence at hand. Additionally, the commission can also endorse the release of those who accepted to cooperate with a view to establishing the truth about cases of human violations.
Written by Abdoulie John
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