The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) is a truth commission in The Gambia to investigate the Yahya Jammeh era from 1994 to 2017. The process from the announcement of the commission to its launch lasted from 20 July 2017 to 15 October 2018. Its executive secretary is Baba Galleh Jallow, its lead counsel is Essa M. Faal, and the chairperson of the 11-strong commission is Lamin J. Sise.
History
Establishment The process for founding the TRRC was led by the Attorney General, Ba Tambadou. At a press conference on 20 July 2017, Tambadou announced that a draft bill for the establishment of the TRRC had been shared with international experts for review. He also announced that a team, led by himself, would begin a public engagement tour on the bill in August, which lasted from 14 to 24 August. Tambadou then proceeded to table the bill before the National Assembly. On 13 December 2017, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRC) Act was passed, and it received presidential assent on 13 January 2018.
Barrow appointed academic Baba Galleh Jallow as Executive Secretary of the TRRC with effect from 1 February 2018. Also in February, a call was made for nominations to the TRRC. The job description specified that individuals should be of "high moral character and integrity," "no criminal record or involvement in past human rights violations," no political party activity, and residency in either the Greater Banjul Area or in the diaspora. In August 2018, Jallow appointed Alagie Barrow as the director of research and investigation for the commission. It was announced that the commission would begin proceedings on 15 October 2018. On 5 October, Abdoulie Janneh, who had previously been announced as the chairperson of the commissioners, stepped down from the role due to scheduling conflicts. Lamin J. Sise, a close confidante of the late UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, was announced to replace him.
Launch The commission was launched at Dunes Resort Hotel, Kotu Beach, Kololi, on 15 October. It was launched by President Adama Barrow and attended by senior figures including Mariam Jack-Denton, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hassan Bubacar Jallow, the Chief Justice, and members of the diplomatic corps, the National Assembly, civil society, and international organisations. Barrow noted that the TRRC would be independent, and was the sixth truth commission launched in Africa in its history. Other speakers included Ba Tambadou, the Attorney General, Sherif Kijera of The Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations, Fatou Bensouda, the current chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the UN Secretary-General's special representative for West Africa, and Miguel de Serpa Soares, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs. Baba Galleh Jallow delivered the vote of thanks.
Staff and commissioners
Staff A number of job posting were advertised, starting in June 2018, at the commission. Five research assistants, nine investigators, and 20 statement takers were advertised for. A number of coordinator roles were also advertised for, including in victim support, community outreach, youth and children, and women's affairs. +Job TitleNameBackgroundExecutive SecretaryBaba Galleh JallowAssistant professor of history, La Salle UniversityFormer editor, The Daily ObserverDeputy Executive SecretaryMusu Bakoto SawoLecturer in law, University of The GambiaGambia programme officer, The Girl Generation Lead CounselEssa M. FaalDefence counsel, International Criminal CourtSenior partner, Faal and CoDirector of Research and InvestigationsAlagie BarrowFormer officer, Tennessee Army National GuardDeputy Director of Research and InvestigationsMansour JobeState counsel, Attorney General's ChambersFormer lecturer in law, Gambia Technical Training InstituteDirector of Communications, Outreach and MediaRohey SambaSecretary general, Writers' Association of The GambiaSecretary to the board, Collecting Society of The GambiaChief Financial OfficerAlieu AweDirector of Human ResourcesMam Ndery TourayVictim Support CoordinatorEbou Faye NjieReconciliation OfficerTabu SarrCommunity Outreach CoordinatorVacantYouth and Children's Network CoordinatorBabucarr SambouWomen's Affairs CoordinatorYadicon Njie Eribo
Commissioners This is the list of designated commissioners released to the media in August 2018, they are not yet confirmed. +NameSpecial RoleBackgroundLamin J. SiseChairpersonSpecial advisor and chief of staff to Kofi AnnanDirector for Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Special Assignments in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-GeneralAdelaide Sosseh GayeVice-ChairpersonDirector, Gambia Africa Institute for Leadership (GAIL)Former principal, St. Joseph's High School, BanjulAnna N'gulu JonesGambia national coordinator, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)Mustapha KahFounder, Banjul Open DebateIndependent candidate for Jeshwang, 2017 parliamentary election, Member, National Youth Council Abdourahman SeyCentral River RegionImamMa Nyima BojangWest Coast RegionTeacherFormer magistrate, Banjul Magistrates' CourtAmie SambaLower River RegionRetired civil servantLang KintehNorth Bank RegionRetired civil servantJammeh CeesayUpper River RegionFarmerJames Yaw Allen OdicoBishop of GambiaOusainou JallowImam, Pipeline Mosque
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