By Adama Makasuba
The Gambia government has said all adversely mentioned civil servants and security officers in the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission report will immediately be suspended from official duty.
This announcement comes as the government released its white paper that approved 95 percent of the truth commission’s recommendations, but rejected some amnesty recommendation of the commission.
Speaking at the press conference held yesterday, Justice Minister and Attorney General, Dawda Jallow, said: “we note that certain individuals who have been adversely mentioned by the Commission continue to serve in various areas of the public and security services. The Government shall take steps for their immediate suspension from service while we work on a lawful means to effects their dismissal, termination or compulsory retirement as each case may require
“We are committed to implement that immediately. So, notices will be sent to institutions that they work. And we are sure that they will be put on immediate suspension from duty. But remember one of the things we all yearn for is the rule of law. So, we will have to look at the legal procedures of either some of them will be out-rightly dismissed, terminated or retired.”
“But while we are going to look at those legal issues, we agreed as a government that they will immediately be suspended from work until those administrative steps are taken,” he added.
He continued that “The implementation must therefore be transparent and inclusive with clear timelines and measurable outcomes. Rest assured that the government is fully committed to the implementation as outlined in the Whitepaper. We have been given a unique opportunity to change the trajectory of our dear nation and posterity will judge us by our actions.”
