April 10/11th Victims Call for Prosecution of Former Vice President, others

Abdoukarim Jammeh, lead activist and victim of April 10th and 11th 2000 student protest has called on the government of The Gambia to take all necessary actions without delay in bringing to justice all perpetrators who committed mayhem on students leading to the massacre of fourteen (14) innocent Gambian students.

According to him, former Vice President Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy, Gourgi Mboob, Momodou Badgie, Yahya Jammeh and all those adversely mentioned in the TRRC report should face prosecution forthwith. He added that such perpetrator whose actions led to the death of 14 innocent students deserves nothing but the Mile 2 Prison.

He said Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy and all those who were adversely mentioned haven’t shown any remorse at the Truth Commission for their alleged participation and roles in the killings of innocent Gambian students. Adding these perpetrators does not deserve to enjoy the streets of Banjul but should rather be spending their times in their own five star hotel dubbed Mile 2 prison.

On 10th and 11th April 2000, scores of Gambian students went rampage in the streets of Banjul to demand for the prosecution of officers who allegedly manhandled one Ebrima Barrow as well as another female student who was also allegedly raped by officers.

The protest did not end well when security officers opened live bullets on them killing fourteen (14) students, while many others remained maimed, tortured and wounded for merely condemn the ill-behaviour of the security officer.

“It is 22 years now since students were massacred in cold blood without action from the government. More than dozen students were laid in their graveyards and many more injured as a result of gunshots by our own security forces. I and my colleagues and victims family have been crying for justice since 2001, to no avail,” said Abdul Karim Jammeh.

He added: “It was our believed that the Government of President Adama Barrow will put smile on our faces but unfortunately, all we received from this regime is only disappointment and betrayal. This is the regime that came to power through the use of the victims’ names during its 2016, coalition campaign but it is now over 5years no consideration for the victims.”

According to him, the current government is not showing any support and care to the welfare of the student victims, arguing, even though both government and IEC knew very well the commemoration of the 10th and 11th, National Assembly election was scheduled for the same period with the view to cover the all-important days of the April 10/11th.

Jammeh who has been the leading activist for the rights of the student victims said most victims felt very disappointed that National Assembly election scheduled at a time when their fallen colleagues were to be remembered, observing that government should considered April 10th and 11th as a nationwide public holiday for all schools in The Gambia.