Remembering November 11

Dear Editor,
November 11th has never been an ordinary date for me. I remember coming across stories on social media about the 11th November, 1994 killings of soldiers at Fajara and Yundum barracks. Stories of lives cut short, families left behind, unanswered questions and a painful search for truth and justice.

Little did I know that years later, I would find myself working closely with victims and their families, listening to their stories, witnessing their struggles and becoming part of efforts to amplify their voices and demand accountability.

Yesterday, November 11th carries a different weight for me. From reading their stories on social media to getting closer to the realities of the victims and their families, it has become more than a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of the human cost of impunity and the responsibility we have to keep demanding justice.

Among the soldiers identified by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) as having been killed were: Lieutenant Basiru Barrow, Lieutenant Abdoulie “Dot” Faal, Lieutenant Gibril Saye, Lieutenant Abdoulie Bah, Lieutenant Bry Manneh, Lieutenant Buba Jammeh, Lieutenant Momodou Lamin Darboe, Cadet Amadou Mbackeh Sillah, Sergeant Ebrima M Ceesay, Sergeant Basiru Camara and Sergeant Fafa Nyang.

These were not just names in a report. They were fathers, husbands, brothers, sons and human beings whose lives mattered.

In April 2019, seven sets of human remains believed to belong to some of the November 11th victims were exhumed at Yundum Barracks. Yet, years later, those remains are still awaiting forensic identification. Families continue to wait for answers, the opportunity to give their loved ones dignified burials and the justice they have been denied for decades.

Thirty-two years later, we must ask ourselves: How much longer must these families wait?

Remembrance must mean more than an annual gathering. It must translate into action, accountability, the implementation of TRRC recommendations, forensic identification of remains and justice for the victims and their families.

To the families who continue to carry this pain, your stories matter. Your loved ones deserve to be remembered, and your demands for truth and justice remain valid. May the fallen soldiers never be forgotten. We remember the fallen. We stand with their families. We continue to demand truth, justice and accountability.

Mariama Siaka Fatajo
Banjul

An open letter to President Adama Barrow: Kindness must not compromise your security

Dear Mr President,
I know you to be a tolerant and peaceful leader. In fact, you are among the most peaceful presidents I have ever witnessed. However, Mr President, what I observed today at Latrikunda Sabiji, around Bamboo Garage behind Latrikunda Market, raises serious concerns about your personal security and the safety of those around you.

Mr President, please never take security for granted, especially when you are moving around the country with large crowds following your convoy. Allow your security personnel to do their jobs professionally. Your kindness and tolerant nature are admirable qualities, but sometimes excessive tolerance can expose you to unnecessary danger.

Having travelled with your convoy on several occasions, I have observed what I consider significant security gaps, particularly in the coordination and positioning of some of the close protection officers responsible for protecting you and your entourage. These are observations that I believe deserve serious attention.

Consider what happened today (Tuesday) in Latrikunda Sabiji, during your movement through the area, with a massive crowd surrounding your convoy, a young man standing on a storey building reportedly threw a water bottle in the direction of the presidential convoy. This incident should not be treated lightly. What if the object had been something more dangerous? What if it had been an individual with harmful intentions?

The most concerning part is that such an incident could occur without an immediate security response. It raises questions about crowd control, surveillance and the protection of the head of state during public movements.

I remember how security was handled during former President Yahya Jammeh’s time. Whenever his convoy was approaching, security personnel took strict precautions. People standing on balconies and storey buildings were often instructed to move inside, as even seemingly innocent actions could be considered potential security risks. While security approaches may differ, the fundamental principle remains the same: the safety of the president must never be compromised.

To our security forces, we recognise your professionalism and appreciate the work you continue to do in protecting the president and other public officials. However, I urge you to remain extra vigilant, particularly during public engagements where large crowds gather around the presidential convoy.

Mr President, your peaceful nature may sometimes make you overlook actions that security professionals would consider potential threats. You may see an individual throwing an object as an innocent act, but your security team must assess every situation professionally and respond appropriately.

This is not the first incident of this nature. A similar incident was reported in Sukuta, and now another has occurred in Latrikunda Sabiji. The question we must all ask is: what happens if another incident occurs tomorrow?

As the country approaches a crucial period in its political calendar, there should be no room for complacency when it comes to presidential security.

Mr President, your life matters. Your security matters. The safety of your entourage and the general public also matters.

Kindness is a virtue, but it must go hand in hand with caution. Being a peaceful leader does not mean security protocols should be relaxed.

I am sharing these observations not out of criticism, but out of genuine concern for your safety and the importance of protecting the institution of the presidency.

May God continue to protect you, your family, your security personnel and our beloved country, The Gambia.

Lamin Beyai
Concerned citizen and media practitioner