The Gambia got a reparations commission to compensate victims of Yayah Jammeh’s brutal 20-year rule.
Jammeh, currently in exile in Equatorial Guinea, ruled the West African country for 20 years during which he committed atrocious crimes that left unhealed wounds. In such a situation, compensation became the only way out for genuine reconciliation, peace and stability.
Indeed, the Gambia is relatively peaceful five years on after Jammeh’s departure.
Similar situation has crystalised in Sierra Leone where countless Sierra Leoneans have fallen victim to what many refer to as the oppressive PAOPA rule characterised by extra-judicial killings, disappearances of prisoners, unlawful dismissals, burning of houses and other forms of political thuggery among others.
Abuse of human rights and crimes against humanity started in the early days of 2018 following the declaration of President Julius Maada Bio winner of the election. The people expected to hear victory songs on the streets but political thuggery eclipsed the entire episode beginning in Freetown before spreading to different corners of the country.
The family of a commercial motorist (okada rider) who was shot dead in early 2018 demanded not only justice but adequate compensation to take care of those left behind.
The okada rider crumbled under the barrel of the gun during a joint police/military raid in Rosengbe village for Canabis, a drug commonly known as ‘Jamba’ in Sierra Leone.
Rosengbe is a tiny and quiet village in Tonkolili district in Northern Sierra Leone, strongholds of the main opposition, All People’s Congress (APC).
The commercial motorist, according to reports, was fatally injured for refusing to hand over his motor cycle to the security forces.
Sources said the bike was suspected to be proceeds of the sale of Canabis although there was little or no proof. Other villagers also similarly lost their property.
The families and relatives of the people killed at Pa Demba Road main correctional facility in Freetown in April, 2020 also demand justice. The number of the deceased, official report noted, stood at 31 but unofficial sources suggest a higher figure.
The massacre at the prison yard was brought about by Chief Justice, Babatunde Edwards’ order which banned trials for one month when a single case of Corona was suspected among the inmates.
According to the order, no inmate would have their case heard until after a month, a factor that compelled the prisoners to assert their rights by a way of peaceful protest which was brutally halted.
From the prison yard, the killings spread to Makeni city in the Northern region in July, 2020 where six people were allegedly gunned down by the security forces over a controversy that emanated from the relocation of a standby generator from Makeni city to Lungi town.
The fatality figure offered by government was at variance with one provided by a member of parliament representing one of the constituencies in Bombali district.
During the launching of a report authored by one of the famous civil society activist, Valnora Edwin, Honourable Catherine Zainab Tarawallie put the deceased’s figure at 20.
“I came to know the exact figure after those who were arrested during the protest were released,” the APC parliamentarian maintained.
Dozens of youth were arrested in Makeni during a protest to stop EDSA (Energy Distribution and Supply Authority) officials from moving the machine from their community fearing an electricity blackout.
Residents in Makeni believed that most of those killed were among those arrested and detained at Pa Demba Road prison in Freetown.
But, the subsequent release of the prisoners, a year later, laid to rest speculations about the exact number of prisoners.
In the same year, the Northern town of Lunsar also saw similar spate of killings when the youth protested against the arrest and detention of a local authority and the illegal closure of SL Mining Company. The APC councillor was helping the youth in different amid hardship that followed after the company halted mining operations.
The Iron Ore miner, according to Lunsar residents, was doing well in the community by providing jobs for the youth, serving as a reliable source of improved living standards for land owners by way of surface rent.
Government too received royalties highly needed for national development, but the abrupt closure of the company forced the youth to the streets.
The number of those killed in Lunsar town, to date, remains unknown but covert investigations indicate that the deceased approximately number in their dozen.
The thermal plant was left behind by the past government of former President Ernest Bai Koroma to ensure electricity in the Northern town.
However, SLPP government, sources said, had the intention of creating permanent electricity blackout in Makeni city, home of the former President.
Also in 2020, Tombo, a prosperous fishing community also saw what residents called state-sponsored killing during a protest against a ban on fishing imposed by government.
The ban stopped fishermen from going to the high seas to do their usual fishing trips, their main source of living, and the number of those killed remain a closely guarded secret.
Police officers also died in the process. In Tonko Limba Chiefdom, Kambia district, an APC supporter was also shot dead during bye-election for a councillor seat. Deaths were also recorded in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown in August 10, 2022 and September 11, 2023 and the families of the deceased demanded compensation.
In August, 2022, twenty-six (26) protesters, official reports noted, were killed by the security forces and six police officers also lost their lives in line of duty. Families of the fallen police officers also need compensation from the state.
The August protest was staged for a cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by uncontrollable inflation and weak exchange rate while the September demonstration was meant to bring back votes allegedly stolen by the Electoral Commission in Sierra Leone.
Two deaths were also reported in the September demonstration.
Allegations of disappearances of inmates at the country’s main prison facility were also widespread but no investigation was carried out to know the exact number.
The affected families need not only justice but also compensation as it is hoped that a probe would be carried out in the near future come what may.
Compensation is due not only to bereaved families but those whose livelihoods were threatened by illegal and indiscriminate dismissals of those perceived as APC sympathisers.
Months into the PAOPA regime, several dismissals were carried out in almost all public institutions especially Statistics Sierra Leone, State House, Road Maintenance Fund, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Human Rights Commission, Parliament and Office of Diaspora Affairs.
At the country’s national statistics agency, more than 100 workers were asked to lay kit without just cause, and they equally demand compensation.
Situation was also the same at State House where contracts of dozens of staff were terminated and the dismissals continued unabated.
Office of Diaspora Affairs was temporally shut down and relocated to the Foreign Affairs Ministry with workers losing their jobs.
Commissioners at Human Rights Commission were also unlawfully dismissed owing to allegations of colluding with then government to abuse the people’s rights.
Today, human rights abuses were widespread with no action taken against any commissioner.
What about the situation of victims of political violence particularly in the South-East regions? Don’t they need compensation for the injuries sustained in the lawful exercise of their political rights. Indeed they are in need of compensation.
The history of victims of political thuggery of 2023 general election is incomplete without mentioning Cecilia Ngobeh, APC’s Chairlady in Bo district and the 500 women who were allegedly brutally attacked by thugs linked to SLPP in Pujehun district. Mrs Ngobeh’s house used as APC office was torched alongside four vehicles parked in the compound.
Ngobeh herself narrowly escaped fatal injury when the youth struck her compound and the 500 Pujehun women also sought admission in various hospitals after the attacks. APC supporters in Kenema, Bonthe, Bo, Kono and other parts in South-East regions also faced similar circumstances according to video footages on various media platforms.
Amid the political violence, the people were helpless and could not question government fearing another wave of violence.
Now, they want to see comprehensive probe into alleged human rights abuses not only to hold the perpetrators accountable but also to compensate them (the victims).
However, the people of Sierra Leone are pleased and comfortable with a Tripartite Committee currently looking into alleged electoral irregularities to bring back stolen votes.
Equally, the call for a body that will restore their dignity, fundamental rights and livelihood is loud, clear and compelling.