Gambia's Honorary Consul to Angola Wants to Forgive Ex-President Jammeh.
Haji Jawara wants his country to forgive former president Yahya Jammeh. The businessman serves as Gambia's honorary consul in Angola.
Jammeh faces charges of torture and killing people without trials. West African leaders backed a special court to try him for these crimes. The court follows what Gambia's truth commission said should happen.
But Jawara thinks forgiveness would help heal the nation. He told The Standard newspaper that the country needs to come together after Jammeh's harsh rule.
"We must forgive Jammeh to bring our people together," Jawara said. He believes talking about the past can help both victims and those who hurt them, which could make the country more stable.
Jawara suggests making Jammeh say sorry on TV for his crimes. "This would shame him and warn other presidents they can lose power," he said.
He does not want foreign countries involved. "They talk about holding Jammeh responsible but stay quiet about Israel's actions in Palestine," he said. He urged African nations to stop putting their former leaders on trial.
The consul knows Jammeh did bad things. "But forgiving him would help us more than putting him in court," he said. He wants the government to focus on catching officials who steal public money.
"Theft of public funds has maybe killed more people than Jammeh," Jawara said. He pointed out that stealing money hurts hospitals and health care. This makes life harder for poor people who need help.
A rights worker who did not share their name disagreed. They said the country needs both forgiveness and justice to heal properly.
Haji Jawara wants his country to forgive former president Yahya Jammeh. The businessman serves as Gambia's honorary consul in Angola.
Jammeh faces charges of torture and killing people without trials. West African leaders backed a special court to try him for these crimes. The court follows what Gambia's truth commission said should happen.
But Jawara thinks forgiveness would help heal the nation. He told The Standard newspaper that the country needs to come together after Jammeh's harsh rule.
"We must forgive Jammeh to bring our people together," Jawara said. He believes talking about the past can help both victims and those who hurt them, which could make the country more stable.
Jawara suggests making Jammeh say sorry on TV for his crimes. "This would shame him and warn other presidents they can lose power," he said.
He does not want foreign countries involved. "They talk about holding Jammeh responsible but stay quiet about Israel's actions in Palestine," he said. He urged African nations to stop putting their former leaders on trial.
The consul knows Jammeh did bad things. "But forgiving him would help us more than putting him in court," he said. He wants the government to focus on catching officials who steal public money.
"Theft of public funds has maybe killed more people than Jammeh," Jawara said. He pointed out that stealing money hurts hospitals and health care. This makes life harder for poor people who need help.
A rights worker who did not share their name disagreed. They said the country needs both forgiveness and justice to heal properly.
