By Lamin Cham
Essa Faal, the lead counsel of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission and his legal team formally completed their job with the body yesterday.
According to sources close to the commission, Mr Faal’s last day at TRRC was marked by meetings with commissioners and other relevant staff.
Appointed in September 2018, Essa Faal became the most recognised face at the TRRC and through his intrusive and scrupulous handling of high-profile witnesses, the world had a glimpse of the extent of the previously unknown gross human rights violations The Gambia endured under Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule. From the emotional stories of victims of torture, sexual violence to confession of mass murder by Jammeh’s Junglers, Essa Faal probed into the horror stories of what has become known as Gambia’s darkest chapter in history. He concluded with a moving statement that underlined his conviction that untold suffering has been inflicted on the people of The Gambia by the state that was supposed to protect them.
Mr Faal, who grew to be enormously famous from live television broadcasting of the commission’s public sessions, also won great administration for his work. However, his critics accused him of a witch-hunt against former president Jammeh and his allies, a claim he flatly denied.
In the last few months, the rumour mill was filled with unconfirmed reports that Mr Faal is preparing to launch a career in politics. He had chosen not to comment on that but his close associates have informed The Standard that he is hosting a media event tomorrow Friday to announce his bid for presidency.
