The ‘No To Tangara Campaign’ congratulates the newly elected Commonwealth Secretary General, Shirley Ayorkor Botcheway, and commends the CHOGM for listening to the voices of Commonwealth citizens in The Gambia and other member countries in our objection to Mamadou Tangara, The Gambia Foreign Minister’s bid for the position.
In our drive to hold Mamadou Tangara accountable for his actions in supporting tyranny and enabling the dictatorship of former President Yahya AJJ Jammeh, we mounted a campaign that received global support from individuals and organizations who uphold the values and principles of the Commonwealth.
We thank the initial petitioners and express our deep appreciation to all the registered signatories of our online campaign and the many other voices expressed publicly and privately in meeting rooms that mattered in support of the ‘No To Tangara Campaign.’
Though directed at Mamadou Tangara’s bid for the Commonwealth Secretary General’s position, this campaign was neither confined to him nor the Commonwealth. Instead, it concerns The Gambia’s active search for justice and accountability. In this regard, we have previously sent petitions and protest letters targeting Gambians who aided, abetted, and enabled the dictatorship in The Gambia between 1994 and 2016, seeking employment in international organizations where respect for human rights and the rule of law are sacrosanct.
It is well documented that for 22 years, Yahya Jammeh and his enablers committed heinous atrocities against both Gambian and non-Gambian citizens in and outside The Gambia, mismanaging and plundering the resources of The Gambia with impunity. The dictatorship only survived as men and women who held vital decision-making and strategic positions – ministers, parliamentarians, ambassadors, and security chiefs – chose to support and enable the regime; hence, they must be held accountable. In addition to Jammeh, all his enablers must be held accountable. Public officials have no choice but to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and consistently demonstrate loyalty and honesty to the people.
The dream of a new Gambia cannot be established in the absence of adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a culture of accountability. The Gambia cannot transition from an entrenched dictatorship to a fully functioning democracy unless the vestiges of the past are appropriately and thoroughly addressed.
The “No To Tangara Campaign” is committed to the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s (TRRC) ‘Never Again’ mantra and agenda and will continue to seek justice and accountability against those who abused the power entrusted in them when they held key positions at the highest levels of the state.
The No To Tangara Campaign believes that without accountability, there cannot be justice, peace, protection of human rights, and sustainable development in any form and therefore calls on:
President Adama Barrow to prioritize the goals of the Gambia Government’s transitional justice program, implement the recommendations of the TRRC and The Janneh Commission including refrain from appointing, in total disregard to the numerous victims of the regime and contrary to the Commissions’ recommendations persons who were banned from holding public office due to their roles in enabling the Jammeh dictatorship.
Civil Society Organizations and the media use their watchdog roles in holding the Gambia Government, the National Assembly and The Gambia’s Financial and Technical Partners to account and to push for the effective and full implementation of the transitional justice agenda.
All Gambians prioritize accountability in all spheres of our society. Without accountability, there cannot be justice, peace, protection of human rights and sustainable development.
This is our call to action. Never Again.
Madi Jobarteh, Spokesman, No To Tangara Campaign
