The Gambia’s Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations (Victim Center) elected a new Chairperson on 30th September 2023 after initially voting in the current Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission Mr Emmanuel Joof. After submitting his resignation the post was declared vacant and an election was held to elect another Chairperson. Below is the statement from the Victim Center on the election.
Announcement on the Outcome of the Elections of the VC Chairperson
Dear Members and Supporters of the Victims Center,
We stand at a pivotal moment in our organization’s history as we announce the results of our recent Chairperson Election. This election has been marked by spirited discussions, disagreements, and a commitment to fairness and inclusivity. We are pleased to reveal the outcome of this crucial process, which has brought us to a new chapter of leadership.
I. The Initial Debate
The Chairperson Election was not without its share of challenges. At the heart of the matter was the question of whether to allow the second nominee to participate as an elected candidate due to her absence from the event. Heated debates and passionate arguments ensued, reflecting the diversity of opinions within our organization. While some members believed that adhering strictly to the initial nomination process was paramount, others advocated for flexibility openness and fairness.
In the spirit of democracy and consensus-building, we paused to reconsider the approach. After careful reflection, we arrived at a decision to vote “to or not to” call and inform the absentee nominee and inform her about the ongoing event and majority voted in favour of calling her and with her conscience the phone call was put on loudspeaker with a recording to the conversation attached, we proceeded with the voting process, allowing all members, including the second nominee, to have a say in choosing our new chairperson. This decision was not made lightly, it reflects our shared commitment to the principles of fairness, transparency, and unity.
II. Voting process
At some minutes past 10 AM, commencing the meeting with a prayer. The esteemed Marr Nyang, acting as the election commissioner, was granted the floor to oversee the election proceedings. Among the 17 registered member-voters present, only 16 exercised their right to cast their votes, with one member absent.
In total, 16 votes were cast. The outcome of this important election revealed a clear preference among our members, with 14 votes in favour of D.A. JAWO and 2 votes in support of Tabou Sarr. This decisive expression of confidence in Mr D.A. JAWO as our chosen leader underscores the collective vision and trust our members have placed in his leadership abilities. We appreciate the active participation of our members in this crucial process and look forward to working together under our newly elected leadership.
III. Announcing Our New Chairperson
After careful tabulation and consideration, we are thrilled to announce that Mr. Demba Ali Jawo (D.A. JAWO) has been elected as our new Chairperson. His candidacy received overwhelming support from the membership, reflecting the trust and confidence our members have in his leadership. We believe that his dedication, experience, and vision will guide us toward a brighter future.
With the election of Mr. D.A. Jawo as our new Chairperson, we embark on a new journey, one filled with hope, aspiration, and shared commitment. Together, we will work tirelessly to fulfil the goals and aspirations of our organization. We are confident that under his leadership, we will overcome challenges, embrace opportunities, and continue to grow as a united and strong community.
Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication.
