Government Accepts TRRC Recommendations on April 2000 Student Massacre But Yet to Act

Today marks 23 years since 14 children and students were killed and one Red Cross Volunteer were killed in The Gambia after a deadly student massacre took place under former President Yahya Jammeh’s order.

This is a summary of the Government’s White Paper featuring the sections on the April 10th and 11th 2000 Student Demonstrations. The Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was enacted in 2017 to investigate the human rights violations of the former regime of President Yahya Jammeh from 1994 to 2016.

The Commission submitted its report and recommendations to President Adama Barrow on Thursday 25th November 2021. The government reviewed the TRRC Report and Recommendations and published a White Paper accepting most of the recommendations including all those under the section on the April 10th and 11th 2000 Students Demonstrations. However, to date, none of the recommendations has been implemented by the Government.

The publication below is copied from the Government’s White Paper focusing on the April 10th and 11th 2000 Student Demonstrations.

By The Gambia Government

Theme 5: Student Demonstrations

Background

1. The April 10 and 11 2000 Student Demonstration in The Gambia emanated from the physical assault, and later death of Ebrima Barry, a fifteen (15) year old Grade 10 student at Forster’s Technical High School in Brikama, West Coast Region (WCR); and the rape of Binta Manneh, a Grade 7 student at Brikama Ba Upper Basic School, in the Central River
2. Ebrima Barry was physically assaulted by fire officers in Brikama and died shortly Binta Manneh, who had represented her school at the Inter Secondary Schools Sports Competition at the Independence Stadium in Bakau was raped at the said venue by a security officer.
3. Following those two incidents, The Gambia Students Union (GAMSU) believed the Government of the day failed to sufficiently address both cases–which further aggravated students throughout the In the interest of its members, GAMSU engaged the Government seeking redress for the two incidents. However, negotiations proved unsuccessful to the satisfaction of GAMSU, culminating in the Union’s decision to hold a “limited peaceful demonstration.”
4. The said demonstration was scheduled to take place on 10 April 2000 at the gate of the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) in Kanifing where the students’ procession was due to commence. That morning, hundreds of students gathered outside GTTI and the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), and later the Gambia National Army (GNA) were deployed to disperse the crowd. The senior security personnel on duty on that day included the former Army Commander Baboucarr Jatta, the Deputy Inspector General of Police Sankung Badjie, and the former Secretary of State for Interior Ousman Badjie.
5. The Commission found that no coherent plans were put in place by the security forces to deal with the situation. In the Serekunda area, forces fired tear gas and live bullets at the students killing twelve (12) students, a Red Cross volunteer, and a Several students also suffered serious wounds and had to be hospitalised and many others were arrested. While fleeing from the security forces some students trampled upon a child in his home.
6. The Commission found that Jai Sowe, the Commanding Officer at Banjul Police Station, unlawfully authorised the supply of firearms and live ammunition to Police Officers including Gorgui Mboob, Yorro Mballow and Ousman Cham. Officers Gorgui Mboob, Inspector Darboe, Modou Lamin Fatty, Abdoulie Bah, Modou Cham, and Modou Gajaga unlawfully entered Augustine’s High School in Banjul and fired a tear gas canister into a classroom full of students. Following their unlawful entry into the school and total disregard for human life, Gorgui Mboob assaulted Ousman Sabally, a teacher, striking him with his baton and the butt of his gun causing him serious injury. Gorgui Mboob and his fellow officers unlawfully shot into a building at St. Augustine’s High School resulting in unlawful damage and injury to three students.
7. On 11 April 2000, news of the fatal killing, wounding and brutalisation of the student reached other students in the rural To show support for their fellow students who were brutally killed and wounded by the security forces, students in the rural areas turned out in large numbers. The Gambia National Army (GNA) was deployed to deal with the situation in the Central River Region (CRR) and Upper River Region (URR). The Police were deployed in the North Bank Region (NBR). The Commission from the testimonies learnt that security forces fired live bullets at students killing two (2) in the Brikamaba area; seriously wounding several; physically assaulted students and detained some at Armitage High School and Janjanbureh prison.
8. The Commission found that former President Yahya Jammeh instructed his Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy to “take care of the bastards in whatever way, in whatever form” and that the statement was a direct order from the President to shoot the student demonstrators. The Commission further notes that, Isatou Njie Saidy, following the President’s orders, instructed Baboucarr Jatta to deploy the Army who were armed with AK 47 rifles and live rounds, culminating in the eventual tragedies of 10 and 11 April 2000.
9. Following the incident, the Jammeh Government set up a Commission of Enquiry to look into the events of April 10 and The TRRC concluded that the Government tried to cover the illegal acts of the Army by saying “the shooting started from the students knowing the same to be false.” Although students responded to the brutality of the security forces by engaging in disorderly behaviour including the destruction of public and private properties, Former President Yahya Jammeh, Isatou Njie Saidy and the state security personnel dealt with the incident disproportionately and were responsible for the arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, torture including rape that occurred during April 10 and 11.
10. The Commission concluded that Gorgui Mboob, Inspector Darboe, and other State Agents conspired to cover up the full extent of the Police actions by giving false testimonies, concealing evidence, and fabricating evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into Public Disturbances of 10 and 11 April 2000, the sole attempt of which was to mislead the Commission. Baboucarr Jatta and Wassa Camara were also found to have given false testimonies and fabricated evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into Public Disturbances of 10 and 11 April 2000. Baboucarr Jatta provided false and misleading reports to the Commission of Inquiry into Public Disturbances of 10 and 11 April 2000 and to the TRRC when he stated that the soldiers did not fire their
11. The Report of Commission of Inquiry into the Public Disturbances of 10 and 11 April 2000 revealed a series of inconsistencies and contradictions by State Officers, and a failure to investigate the persons responsible for the violations. However, the Government later absolved those responsible for the violations by enacting the Indemnity (Amendment) Act 2001, the sole purpose of which was to exonerate public officials, especially members of the security forces from liability. The Commission further concludes that there was an orchestrated cover-up by the State.
12. The Commission found that both the PIU and the GNA were jointly and severally responsible for all the human rights violations perpetrated against the students on 10 and 11 April 2000. The argument that the students provoked the situation was deemed immaterial by the Commission – considering the brutal response and the use of unreasonable force by security personnel throughout the country. The Commission also found evidence of torture of students detained. A student who was illegally detained and tortured at Janjanbureh Prison died shortly after his Many of the survivors still need urgent medical attention for injuries sustained.
13. The Commission found that a total of fifteen (15) people were killed by State Security Officers during the 10 and 11 April 2000 Twelve (12) were students; 2 were toddlers (one of whom was a three (3) year old – shot in the head by security personnel); and a Red Cross volunteer. A third child was trampled upon by students fleeing for their lives from the PIU’s direct assault.

Recommendations from the TRRC and the position of the Government:

The Commission, having considered the totality of the evidence, made the following recommendations:

1. The Commission recommends that Yahya Jammeh, as Commander in Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces be prosecuted for all the atrocities he had committed against the students – namely: arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, tortures, assaults causing harm, and killings of the demonstrators by reason of the orders and instructions he had given; and failing to investigate and prosecute members of the security forces who committed the violation, and for seeking to seal them from responsibility via the Indemnity Act.

2. That former Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy, Baboucarr Jatta, and Ousman Badjie be prosecuted for the arbitrary arrests, detentions, tortures, injuries, and killings of the demonstrators.

3. The Commission recommends that Isatou Njie Saidy be prosecuted and banned from holding public office for a period of ten (10) years; and that Yahya Jammeh be banned from holding public office for life for their roles in the massacre of the students on 10^th and 11^th April 2000.

4. That Baboucarr Jatta be prosecuted and banned from holding public office for a period of ten (10) years for the unlawful arrests, detention, torture, injury, and killing of the demonstrators.

5. That Abdou Giri Njie be prosecuted for his unlawful arrest, detention, torture, and unlawful shooting resulting in the deaths and injury of two students Sainey Nybally and Ousman Sabally.

6. Remove Corporal Lamin Camara from office if he is currently employed and ban him from holding any public office for a period of five (5) years for knowingly providing false information.

7. Ban all those recommended for prosecution from holding public office for a period of not less than 5 years if they have not been prosecuted or if they have been granted amnesty.

8. Prosecute Gorgui Mboob for the assault and injury of Ousman Sabally.

9. Ban Gorgui Mboob from holding public office for five (5)

10. Subject all those who were with Gorgui Mboob at St. Augustine’s High School, including Modou Lamin Fatty, Abdoulie Bah, Modou Cham and Modou Gajaga, to internal disciplinary mechanisms if they are still occupying public office.

11. Ban Baboucarr Sowe and Momodou Ceesay from holding public office for a period of five (5)

12. Proper training should be provided to the security forces on matters relating to crowd control (riot management), and on security and legal issues concerning the management of violent demonstrations and

13. Security forces should be provided with appropriate equipment and materials needed for demonstrations or protests of this

14. That 10^th and 11^th April be declared school holidays. Failing that, other arrangements should be developed to memorialise the sad and historic events that transpired on those two days in 2000; and ensure that they never happen again.

15. The Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, and Tertiary Education should implement a structure or process which enables them to meet with student bodies annually and discuss issues which are of concern to the students.

16. Put in place mechanisms to facilitate and enhance setting up an official channel of communication to deal with student complaints on a timely and effective basis.

17. A rehabilitation centre or fund should be set up to provide medical assistance and support to victims left permanently incapacitated (be it mentally and/or physically) from this incident.

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