Gambia begins reparations payments to victims of human rights violations

Payments to cover abuses committed between July 1994 and January 2017

The Gambia Reparations Commission has officially commenced the payment of reparations to victims of human rights violations committed between July 1994 and January 2017, marking a significant step in the country’s transitional justice process.

In a press release dated January 12, 2026, the Commission announced that the disbursement of reparations has begun and will be carried out in phases, starting with victims whose violations occurred in 1994. The move is part of the Commission’s mandate to facilitate justice, restore dignity, and support the recovery of victims who suffered abuses during the period under review.

According to the Commission, payments are being processed based on the year of violation, and eligible victims and victim groups are being actively contacted to verify their details and complete the necessary procedures for disbursement.

“The commencement of these payments marks a significant milestone in the Commission’s mandate to facilitate justice, restore dignity, and support the recovery of victims,” the statement said.

Victims who have not yet completed their registration or updated their personal and banking details have been urged to contact the Commission without delay. The Commission noted that individuals will be required to provide a valid identification document, bank account or mobile money (Wave) details, as well as any supporting documentation from the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), where applicable.

The Reparations Commission also appealed to community members, civil society organizations, and the general public to support victims—particularly those in remote areas or with limited mobility—to complete their registration and verification processes.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Commission stressed that it remains focused on delivering a reparations programme that is transparent, transformative, and victim-centred, in line with its statutory mandate.

The reparations programme stems from recommendations of The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which was established in 2018 to investigate human rights violations committed during the former regime between 1994 and 2017.

The TRRC documented widespread abuses, including unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, and arbitrary detention. As part of its final recommendations, the Commission called for comprehensive reparations to be provided to victims and survivors as a means of acknowledgment, healing, and accountability.

Following the TRRC’s work, the Reparations Commission was set up to implement these recommendations, focusing on financial compensation, symbolic measures, and other forms of support aimed at restoring victims’ dignity and promoting national reconciliation.

The commencement of reparations payments is seen as a crucial milestone in The Gambia’s broader transitional justice agenda, which seeks to address past abuses, promote healing, and prevent future violations.

As payments roll out in phases, authorities say continued cooperation from victims, communities, and civil society will be essential to ensuring that the reparations process is inclusive, credible, and effective.