By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
Victims of former President Yahya Jammeh’s authoritarian rule have strongly denounced the appointment of Yaya Jarjusey as Paramount Chief of The Gambia, describing it as a profound betrayal that undermines national reconciliation efforts and disrespects the suffering of those who endured human rights abuses.
The controversy erupted following the inauguration of Chief Yaya Jarjusey on 14 June 2026. President Adama Barrow had appointed him to the influential traditional leadership position on 1 January 2026 for a two-year term. Critics argue the move rewards individuals linked to past atrocities rather than advancing justice.
Abou Karim Jammeh (AKJ), Public Relations Officer of the April 2000 Student Victims Association, led the condemnation. He called the appointment “a slap in the face of all Gambians” and a “misplaced priority” that mocks victims of the former regime.
“Chief Yaya Jarjusey personally ordered the arrest and detention of many victims residing in Jarra during the former regime,” AKJ stated, citing revelations from the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). He further accused Jarjusey, alongside former Minister Lamin Queen Jammeh, of abusing their offices by spearheading a campaign to crown ex-President Jammeh as “King of The Gambia.”
In a strongly worded statement, AKJ declared: “We, the victims of human rights violations under the former dictator, strongly condemn the appointment of yet another perpetrator as Paramount Chief of The Gambia. We are very much disappointed with President Barrow and his government for disregarding the work and recommendations of the TRRC.”
The April 2000 Student Victims group represents survivors of a deadly crackdown on student protesters in 2000, one of the emblematic atrocities of Jammeh’s 22-year rule that ended in 2017. AKJ emphasized that elevating figures implicated in those events sends a dangerous signal.
“For President Barrow to ignore all the mishaps of Chief Jarjusey and appoint him as Gambia’s Paramount Chief is the height of disrespecting the pain and sacrifices of the victims,” he added. “Barrow should think of life after the presidency, consider the plights of the victims, and immediately rescind the appointment of Yaya Jarjusey.”
The appointment has raised broader concerns about the pace and sincerity of Gambia’s transitional justice process. The TRRC, established after Jammeh’s exile, documented widespread abuses including enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings. Many victims and activists have repeatedly called for the full implementation of its recommendations, including the prosecution of key perpetrators and the vetting of public officials.
AKJ warned that placing alleged perpetrators in sensitive government and traditional positions could derail ongoing reconciliation efforts. “All the perpetrators of heinous crimes perpetrated during the times of Yahya Jammeh should be behind bars by now if the Barrow government cares and is seriously ready for justice and accountability,” he said. “Appointing perpetrators to sensitive positions will only derail the transitional justice delivery in the country rather than heal the wounds of victims.”
He described the decision as “an insult to the families of victims as well as the survivors” and urged the government to act swiftly. “We are calling on the President and his government to rescind the appointment of Chief Yaya Jarjusey immediately. His appointment as Paramount Chief is nothing but an insult to victims of the former regime who are still seeking justice.”
