By Adama Makasuba and edited Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
Dr. Baba Galleh Jallow, the executive secretary of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) has vowed that the truth commission will investigate and establish the truth about the assassination of Deyda Hydara. Dr. Jallow made the pledge on Sunday 23rd December 2018, at Djembe hotel in Kololi at the launch of the Media Council Gambia organised by Gambia Press Union.
“I want to assure the Gambia Press Union and [the] Gambian public that the TRRC will leave no stone unturned in order to investigate and establish the truth about Deyda’s assignation to accord justice to his family and the Gambian people and country,” he said. Two weeks ago at the official Deyda Hydara 14th year commemoration, Deyda’s son, Baba Hydara explained that his father was killed on the same say of his mother’s birthday which doubles up as the day The Point Newspaper was created. He hadn’t wished his mother a happy birthday for over 13 years.
Deyda was allegedly gunned down in a drive-by shooting in December 2004 by former President Yahya Jammeh’s hit squad on his journey home from the anniversary local newspaper, The Point. The Barrow-led government has launched a truth commission to investigate human rights violations orchestrated under the former regime due to commence hearing on January 7th, 2019.
Dr. Jallow said his commission is committed to work with Gambians and unveil the truth surrounding the late Deyda Hydara’s demise. In an attempt to win over the public he explained that: “I want to take this opportunity to reassure the Gambia Press Union and the general public and Deyda’s family that the TRRC stand ready to work with the Gambian people to discover the remaining truth of Deyda Hydara.”
Speaking about the truth commission he said that “we will remain totally impartial and independent.” However, The Gambia government is urged to complete compensation of Deyda Hydara’s family and bring all perpetrators of his heinous crime to book after a landmark ruling by the ECOWAS Court.