Reparations Commission Updates Victims at WAVE Human Rights Festival

WAVE Human Rights Festival Group Photo © Askanwi Media

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT

The Women’s Association for Women and Victims Empowerment (WAVE) launched its annual human rights festival at Makumbaya on 20th June 2026, with a day of panel discussions, cultural performances, face painting and a documentary screening.

At the opening session, the Executive Secretary of the Reparations Commission announced that the Commission has disbursed D20 million in reparations to victims and is in the process of distributing an additional D5 million this year.

A representative from the Gambia’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was unable to attend the panel but submitted a report covering 2023–2025. Of 263 recommendations, 129 are currently underway, 101 have not been implemented, and 46 have been completed — meaning those 46 recommendations were fulfilled within the three-year period.

Speaking for the Reparations Commission, Executive Secretary Essa Coker said reparations payments began in December 2025 and that the initial D20 million disbursement was completed by mid-April 2026. That D20 million was the Commission’s first allocation from the 2025 budget for victim payments; an additional D10 million was allocated for the Commission’s operations.

Reparations Commission Exec. Sec. Mr Essa Coker in Grey Shirt © Askanwi Media

Mr. Coker explained that he wrote to the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs in January 2026 requesting the D20 million. “In mid-April they gave us D5 million. So we continue paying as we speak; we are still using that to pay reparations. We will continue requesting, but the government is the sole funder of the Commission,” he said.

The Commission is processing reparations in chronological order, beginning with victims from 1994 through 2017, and will continue until all are addressed.

Victim leader Abdoulie Bojang asked about funds from the sale of former President Jammeh’s Potomac mansion—funds the US government pledged to return to the Gambian government for reparations. The US statement indicated some $2.5 million would be returned, which at D73 to $1 would equal roughly D182.5 million—an amount that could cover all reparations identified by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). Mr. Coker said the TRRC estimated total reparations at about D168 million, suggesting the Potomac proceeds would be sufficient.

Mr. Coker added that the Commission has met with the Ministry of Justice, which is “in close communication with the American government” and has made substantial progress toward an agreement. While he did not provide a timeline for receipt of the funds, he said the Commission remains hopeful.