The truth reconciliation and reparations commission today ended its public hearing in Jambur where natives and those living in the surrounding villages gave chilling account of their ordeal in the 2009 witch hunting exercise.
Abdoulie Bojang a former police officer was to first to give his testimony. Mr Bojang told the commissioners about how he lost his first son, Lamin A. Bojang on April 11, 2000 during the student demonstration.
Bojang said he was on a trek in Basse with the wife when he was inform that there was a student demonstration in the Kombos. When he return, he drove to Banjul to look for his son, only to be escorted to the death house where his son was lying dead.
Mr. Bojang said the doctors told him that his son was shot on the head. His son’s body and others were given to them the following day. Abdoulie Bojang said the the 2500 Dalasis compensation given to the bereaved families was a joke.
Mr. Bojang said he blamed the government at the time for the fatalities as they could have avoided using live ammunitions against students who were on a peaceful demonstration.
On the issue of witch hunting, Mr. Bojang said he his people are never known for being witches or wizards. According to him, the witch hunters used force and arrested his people including his step mother. He said the ordeal his people went through was politically motivated as most of his people were not supporting the government at the time.
He said the arrest, abduction and drinking of the concoction done to his village elders have cost a big division in his village as many looked at their elders including the imam and the VDC chairman as witches and wizards. Many died, others could not work again to earn a living.
The next victim to testify was Wuday Ceesay of Makumbaya, who told the commission that she was also abducted when she came back from the garden to prepare launch for her children. Wuday said she was taking to Kololi with many others in a bus where her belongings including money was taken before been made to drink the herbal concoction.
Release on the same day, wuday said her health condition started to deteriorate after a week.
She further said that some of the people didn’t welcome her again as many look at her as a witch.
The final witness of the day was Alieu Mbye who was also among those abducted after just moving to Jambur.
he recalled in 2009, when he was arrested and taken to kololi with others.
Mr. Mbye said he also went through the same treatment like other as he was to undress, bathed and make to drink a pot full of concoction
The Truth Reconciliation and Reperations Commission have now ended its hearings in Jambur and will head to foni Sibanor in the west coast region on Monday for another week of public hearings on the witch hunting exercise
BY: Baboucarr Sey
Abdoulie Bojang a former police officer was to first to give his testimony. Mr Bojang told the commissioners about how he lost his first son, Lamin A. Bojang on April 11, 2000 during the student demonstration.
Bojang said he was on a trek in Basse with the wife when he was inform that there was a student demonstration in the Kombos. When he return, he drove to Banjul to look for his son, only to be escorted to the death house where his son was lying dead.
Mr. Bojang said the doctors told him that his son was shot on the head. His son’s body and others were given to them the following day. Abdoulie Bojang said the the 2500 Dalasis compensation given to the bereaved families was a joke.
Mr. Bojang said he blamed the government at the time for the fatalities as they could have avoided using live ammunitions against students who were on a peaceful demonstration.
On the issue of witch hunting, Mr. Bojang said he his people are never known for being witches or wizards. According to him, the witch hunters used force and arrested his people including his step mother. He said the ordeal his people went through was politically motivated as most of his people were not supporting the government at the time.
He said the arrest, abduction and drinking of the concoction done to his village elders have cost a big division in his village as many looked at their elders including the imam and the VDC chairman as witches and wizards. Many died, others could not work again to earn a living.
The next victim to testify was Wuday Ceesay of Makumbaya, who told the commission that she was also abducted when she came back from the garden to prepare launch for her children. Wuday said she was taking to Kololi with many others in a bus where her belongings including money was taken before been made to drink the herbal concoction.
Release on the same day, wuday said her health condition started to deteriorate after a week.
She further said that some of the people didn’t welcome her again as many look at her as a witch.
The final witness of the day was Alieu Mbye who was also among those abducted after just moving to Jambur.
he recalled in 2009, when he was arrested and taken to kololi with others.
Mr. Mbye said he also went through the same treatment like other as he was to undress, bathed and make to drink a pot full of concoction
The Truth Reconciliation and Reperations Commission have now ended its hearings in Jambur and will head to foni Sibanor in the west coast region on Monday for another week of public hearings on the witch hunting exercise
BY: Baboucarr Sey