Today, the April 10/11 Memorial Foundation commemorates the 25th anniversary of the tragic student demonstration that unfolded on April 10 and 11, 2000, in The Gambia—a day etched in the nation’s history with sorrow and resilience. The foundation’s statement reflects on the brutal loss of 14 young lives, the injuries and arrests that followed, and a lingering quest for justice that remains unresolved a quarter-century later.
On those fateful days in 2000, students took to the streets to demand justice, only to be met with violence. According to the foundation, 14 were killed, and many more were maimed, tortured, or unlawfully detained by those meant to protect them. “We were young. We were hopeful. We believed in the Gambia built on justice – and for that, we paid the highest price,” the statement reads, penned by Sainey Senghore, a survivor and the foundation’s president.
The anniversary arrives with unhealed wounds for survivors and families of the fallen. The foundation decries the lack of accountability, noting that survivors still grapple with trauma, physical disabilities, and neglect while families mourn without closure. “A nation’s failure to protect its children” remains a stark reminder, Senghore writes, urging Gambians to confront this painful chapter.
The foundation is not only honoring the past but demanding action for the present. It has issued a series of calls to the Government of The Gambia, including declaring April 10 a national holiday, fully implementing the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) recommendations, and providing reparations and support to survivors. It also presses for prosecuting those responsible, regardless of their status, emphasizing that “justice must not be selective.”
“We speak today not as victims but as survivors,” Senghore asserts. “Our spirits are unbroken, and our demands are not shaken.” The foundation’s message is clear: Gambia cannot move forward while leaving its survivors behind or allowing memory to fade.
As the nation reflects on this milestone, the April 10/11 Memorial Foundation stands resolute. “To the families of the fallen—we see you. To the survivors—we walk with you. To the people of The Gambia—this is your history. Own it. Remember it. Demand justice for it,” the statement concludes. After 25 years, the cries of “We still mourn. We still demand. We still believe” echo on, a testament to an enduring fight for accountability and healing.
