Victims’ Centre Denies Defence Minister Claims, Condems His Call to Forget Abuses

The Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations says it is deeply concerned and highly disappointed by the Minister of Defence’s recent remarks, Hon. Sheikh Omar Faye, on the 4^th April 2021, during his interview on the “For the People By the People Show” on Fatu Network, in which he said,  “Let us suck it up, let us understand that we made mistakes, Let us stop crying over spilt milk, Let us look for a way out, let us move on” referring to the victims of human rights violations of the former regime of Yaya Jammeh.

In a press release, The Victims’ Centre says Minister of Defence Sheikh Omar Faye’s statement “is demeaning and highly insensitive statement is coming at a time when the TRRC is at the tail end of its mandate and subsequent submission of its final report and recommendations to the government. This statement coming from a Cabinet Minister is perceived as a threat that may affect the implementation of TRRC recommendations by the government as well as the healing process of victims“.

The Victims Center says it “is dismayed by this frivolous statement from Hon. Faye, and as a result, the Center cannot let it go without expressing its repugnance to such irresponsible and callous remarks. It’s totally unacceptable and deserves absolute condemnation to the strongest terms. As a cabinet minister, he ought to speak responsibly and advocate for swift deliverance of justice for all victims”.

In its press release, the Victims’ Centre says it’s not that Sheikh Omar Faye and his ministry have been working closely with the Centre.

“The victims Center is flabbergasted with the clarifications issued by the Ministry of Defence, dated 5^th April 2021 on the remarks by Hon. Faye on the “For the People By the People Show” stating that the Ministry of Defence is working closely with victims through the Victims Center,” the press release says.

Sheriff Kijera and his centre, therefore, gave their side of the story. According to them, only the chief Defence of Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces paid a courtesy call to the Centre in his capacity as head of the Military. “Contrary to this statement, the Victims Center wants to make it categorically clear that it has never worked with the Ministry of Defence in matters related to the welfare of victims of the past regime. However, the Victims Center would like to acknowledge and appreciate the courtesy visit paid by the current CDS Lt. General Yankuba Drammeh on the 20^th July 2020 as part of his familiarization tour of the institution following his appointment“.

The Victims of Yahya Jammeh abuses, therefore, “call on Hon. Faye to urgently withdraw his irresponsible and callous statement and apologize to all the victims of human rights violations of the former regime and honourably resign from his portfolio as a minister or be sacked by the President“.

The Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations says it will continue to work with all players in fighting for justice for victims and ensure that peace continues to prevail in our country, the Smiling Coast.