TRRC Closes for Public Hearings till June 10

By Adama Makasuba

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) on Tuesday announced taking 42 days break from the public hearings in observing the Holy month of Ramadan which will commence in the first week of May.

The Commission which commenced hearings January 7, 2019 was established to probe into the human rights crimes and atrocities occurred under the regime of the former President Yahya Jammeh.

“We are not closing works (but) only the public hearings. We would be back on June 10 to 27 for the fourth session,” Dr Lamin Sise, chairman of the Commission said at the end of former Vice Chairman Sanna Sabally’s testimony.

Despite the commission break on the public hearings, Dr Sise, said they would still go ahead with their normal committee meetings and other duties of the commission.

He said “the Commission would resume public hearings on June 10 to June 27 for   the fourth session.”

At least more than 40 witnesses have appeared before the Truth Commission to give their testimonies either in person or through Skype since its commencement about four months back.

And, the witnesses include both former and serving military officers and personnel, former and serving government officials including men and women.

Just Wednesday, former Vice Chairman of the AFPRC, Sanna Bairo Sabally, accepted responsibility of killing Lt Basiru Barrow and Abdloulie Dot Faal, and other soldiers killed on November 11, 1994 on the suspicion of their attempt to overthrow the regime of the Junta in 1994.

The regime of ex Gambia President, Yahya Jammeh, who now lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea, is accused of gross human rights violations.