The Faraba Commission has recommended the prosecution of certain people who they have found to be culpable, said chairperson Emmanuel Joof.
President Adama Barrow has promised to take a firm decision on the recommendations of the Commission that probed the Faraba riot that led to the death of 3 protesters and injuring of several civilians and paramilitary officials.
Police and natives of Faraba got into a tough standoff about a month ago leading to loss of life, the first bloody incident since Barrow took over power in December 2016.
The Gambian leader then constituted a 5-member commission to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of protesters and who ordered use of live ammunitions, among others.
“My government will review the report and take the appropriate actions as recommended by the Commission without fear or favour…,” Barrow said as he received the commission’s report on Monday at State House.
The content of the report which is currently being reviewed by the Government is expected to be published after appropriate actions to be taken are identified.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubacarr Tambadou, said the preliminary review of the report indicates a catalogue of errors ranging from lack of consultations, mistrust and lack of coordination among all stakeholders.
“The report also touches on fundamental issues such as the proper role and responsibilities of government departments such as the National Environmental Agency and Geology Department and also of state institutions such as the National Assembly select committees,” Tambadou said.
“We are confident that the report of this commission will shed light on a number of issues and pave the way to a more stable Gambia… I can assure you that His Excellency will review and publish this report in due course with a statement of action taken or to be taken in accordance with the 1997 constitution.”
Meanwhile, though the content of the document was not revealed to the media, the chairperson of the Commission Emmanuel Joof told Kerr Fatou that the report have found certain people to be culpable.
Joof would not say who or how many people are found to be culpable but he said they have recommended prosecution of certain people.
Joof said the Commission, as part of its mandate, has also recommended measures to be taken to prevent recurrence of an incident like Faraba in other parts of the country.
The Commission took 85 testimonies from people in Faraba, looked at coroner’s report, and interviewed both the current and previous police chiefs, interviewed independent experts and visited Sanyang and Gunjur, among others.
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