Victims of human rights abuses under former President Yahya Jammeh have warned against his return to The Gambia without accountability, saying it would threaten national peace and undo years of progress in justice and reconciliation.
In a statement issued by the Alliance of Victim-Led Organisations (AVLO), the group representing thousands of survivors and families of victims of Jammeh’s 22-year rule urged President Adama Barrow and international partners not to facilitate Jammeh’s return under any conditions that grant him impunity.
“Peace cannot be built on impunity,” AVLO said, rejecting claims by Jammeh’s supporters that his return would promote unity and stability.
The group welcomed the government’s position that while every Gambian has the right to return home, that right does not protect anyone from prosecution for crimes documented by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). However, AVLO called for “robust, verifiable action” to ensure accountability and protect witnesses.
The victims warned that Jammeh’s unconditional return could reignite fear, embolden perpetrators, and erode public trust in the transitional justice process. They called on the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS to ensure that justice, not impunity, guides any decision regarding Jammeh’s return.
“Reconciliation must begin with truth and justice, not silence and fear,” the statement concluded.
