Gambian Jammeh-era victims seek ‘real justice’ beyond reparations
Al Jazeera
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Yusupha Mbye, a survivor of the 2000 Brikama protests in Gambia where at least 14 people were killed by Gambian paramilitary forces under former President Yahya Jammeh, continues to suffer from permanent spinal cord damage. Now 42, Mbye is confined to a wheelchair and relies on his mother for care, as his father passed away without seeing justice for the crimes committed during Jammeh’s rule. His story highlights the ongoing struggles of victims seeking accountability nearly two decades after the abuses occurred.
Gambia established the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in 2017 to address human rights violations under Jammeh’s 22-year regime, which included extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances. The TRRC documented thousands of violations and recommended reparations for victims and criminal prosecutions for perpetrators. While some have been compensated through a government-funded Reparations Commission, many survivors argue that monetary compensation is insufficient—true justice requires holding those responsible accountable.
Jammeh, who fled to Equatorial Guinea in 2017, remains outside the reach of Gambia’s legal system. Survivors like Mbye and his family are left waiting for real justice, as they believe Jammeh should face trial for his crimes. The case of Mbye’s brother-in-law,
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/20/2026