The Gambia’s Reparations Commission has started compensating victims of human rights violations committed during the rule of former president Yahya Jammeh, marking a key step in the country’s transitional justice process.
In a statement released on Monday, the commission described the launch of payments as a “significant milestone” in its efforts to restore justice and dignity to survivors. The reparations are being distributed in phases, with priority given to victims who suffered abuses in the early years of Jammeh’s regime.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, victim-focused approach, stressing that the programme aims to deliver meaningful and transformative reparations in line with its mandate.
Jammeh, a former military officer, came to power through a coup in 1994 and ruled The Gambia for more than two decades before going into exile in 2017 after losing the 2016 presidential election to Adama Barrow.
His tenure was widely condemned for serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and widespread repression.
The Gambia Reparations Commission was established in 2017 to investigate past violations, gather testimonies from victims and witnesses, and support national efforts toward accountability, reconciliation, and lasting peace.
