The Gambia Reparations Commission has begun paying reparations to victims of human rights abuses committed under the regime of former dictator Yahya Jammeh, marking a major step in the country\u2019s transitional justice process.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued on Monday, January 12, 2026, the commission described the payments as a \u201csignificant milestone\u201d toward restoring justice and dignity to victims and their families.<\/p>\n
Among those covered in the first phase of payments are the families of 44 Ghanaians who were killed in the 2005 migrant massacre, one of the most notorious crimes linked to Jammeh\u2019s rule.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the development on TV3’s News Central on Tuesday, January 14, 2026,
\nWilliam Nyarko, the Executive Director of the Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA), said the move by The Gambia represents progress, especially after years of stalled accountability.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is definitely a step forward considering how far this case has struggled. There’ve been many Gambian issues that started back before Yahya Jammeh became president”, he noted.<\/p>\n
William Nyarko explained that many Gambians have suffered abuses over the years, however, the 2005 incident drew regional attention after foreign nationals, including 44 Ghanaians were caught up in the violence, while attempting to travel through Senegal to The Gambia en route to Europe. <\/p>\n
The foreign nationals were wrongly accused of being mercenaries plotting to overthrow Jammeh.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they were arrested, they had no weapons or equipment. They should have been taken through the court system, but that did not happen,\u201d Nyarko said.<\/p>\n
Watch CCTV footage of fatal stabbing of 53-year-old US-based Ghanaian security guard<\/a><\/p>\n He noted that civil society groups have been working closely with the victims\u2019 families since 2018, particularly those based in Ghana\u2019s Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo and Western regions, to document their cases.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have the information. With the exception of two or three survivors, all of those killed have families who will receive compensation on their behalf.<\/p>\n