By Omar Bah
The chairman of The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Tango), has accused the Barrow administration of shirking its responsibility to protect people in The Gambia against the deadly coronavirus for political gain.
Addressing a meeting of victims of human rights violations under Yahya Jammeh last Saturday, John Charles Njie, said: “Our dear nation is at a crossroad. The impact of Covid-19 is yet to be fully assessed and understood, yet our politicians are busy gathering crowds neglecting their duty to protect us.
“The government has failed to address allegations of corruption against government officials. We have a National Assembly that is far removed from the wishes and aspirations of those who voted for them; a new constitution is in limbo; there are uncalled for hirings and firings just as in the old regime; and the opening of old wounds and pains of victims of human rights violations [continues],” he listed.
Njie said despite these challenges, the political parties are only focused on how “to rule over us, not to help better our lives but rather [to advance] their selfish gains. These and many more we continue to grapple with as a people and as a nation.”
He said Gambians must not allow the disappointments of today to degenerate into frustration and hopelessness.
“We should continue to dream for a better tomorrow. So let us look beyond this dark tunnel of national challenges to the lights of a new Gambia not only in words but in deed and a nation with a leadership sensitive and empathetic to the pain of its people. We the citizens of The Gambia will never again allow tyranny in any shape or form to take root in our budding democracy,” Njie said.
Victims plight
Njie said the government has also failed to fully address the concerns and plights of victims of human rights violations.
“Our leadership is unfortunately more concerned about other things. But let me be quick to say, sadly so, not only our leadership in government but also our entire political leadership. Where are our politicians? I cannot imagine up to today why some sort of subvention has not been earmarked for the Victims Centre. But beyond the government, what of us the citizens? Is there not something that we could have done?” he added.
He disclosed that last year during a YMCA staff meeting they agreed to contribute a token to the victims’ reparations fund and they put together some funds which will be handed over to the chairperson of the TRRC reparations committee this week.
“I wonder what could have obtained if every Gambian and company had done the same. By the time the TRRC is done with its recommendations we would have not been talking about money for reparations,” he said.
He also urged the Victims Centre to remain neutral and avoid being used by selfish politicians.
