By: Haddy Touray
The Alliance of Victim-Led Organisations (AVLO) has expressed concern over the appointment of former Interior Minister and former Inspector General of Police Yankuba Sonko as Chairperson of the Local Government Service Commission.
In a statement, AVLO says the appointment raises questions about the Gambian government’s commitment to justice, accountability and the implementation of recommendations made by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
The organisation noted that Sonko was among individuals recommended by the TRRC for a 10-year ban from holding public office over his alleged role in the cover-up of the killings of more than 56 West African migrants.
AVLO recalled that the government, in its 2022 White Paper on the TRRC recommendations, stated that further investigations would be conducted into the allegations against Sonko following what it described as exculpatory evidence submitted in his defence.
According to the organisation, no findings of such investigations have been made public and no official clarification has been issued regarding the basis for the appointment.
AVLO says the development risks undermining public confidence in the transitional justice process and the “Never Again” commitment adopted following the TRRC process.
The organisation called on the government to publish the findings of any investigation conducted into Sonko’s alleged role in the migrant killings and clarify the legal and procedural basis for his appointment.
It also urged the authorities to rescind the appointment if due process was not followed or if no credible investigation cleared him of wrongdoing.
AVLO further called on the government to reaffirm its commitment to the implementation of the TRRC recommendations and accountability measures linked to the transitional justice process.