By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Gambian National Assembly passed a bill on Wednesday, November 1st, 2023, banning public officials recommended by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) from holding office.
The Ban From Public Office (TRRC) Bill 2023 was tabled by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow. National Assembly Members did not debate the bill, but instead voted directly on the Second Reading and Consideration Stage clause by clause.
All but one National Assembly Member, Hon. Almami Gibba, of Foni Kansala, voted in favor of the bill.
The bill seeks to “make substantive provisions for the Banning of Public officials recommended by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and to create a schedule where banned public officials would be listed for gazetting,” Hon. Jallow told the Lawmakers.
The TRRC was established to investigate human rights abuses committed during the 22-year dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh. The commission released its final report in July 2019, recommending that Jammeh and many other individuals be banned from holding public office.
The passage of the Ban From Public Office Bill 2023 is a significant step towards implementing the TRRC’s recommendations and ensuring that those responsible for human rights abuses are held accountable.