A man hurt during student protests 25 years ago feels let down by the current leader. Abdou Karim Jammeh took a bullet when forces fired at students back in April 2000. He says President Barrow has forgotten those harmed under the former ruler. Instead, people who helped keep the old dictator in power enjoy good lives today.
Around 14 young people died when security teams shot at them on April 10 and 11. The former leader later forgave the shooters. Survivors and families still wait for someone to make things right. Many injured people struggle with daily life. Abdou Karim must use a wheelchair because of his wounds.
He told reporters yesterday that he and others had high hopes after the government changed. Officials called them heroes at first. They invited survivors to speak at many events. Everyone thought justice would come fast. Eight years later, nothing has changed. The current government seems to look away from their pain.
The president promised to make those April days special. They talked about creating a public holiday for schools. Plans existed to change Westfield Monument into a place where people could remember what happened. Yet, nothing came of these promises. Some families never learned where their loved ones were buried.
Abdou Karim directly asked the president if he cared about these families who needed closure. He wonders why former supporters of the dictator have better lives than those who suffered under his rule. The shooting survivors feel abandoned despite early promises. Their physical pain continues alongside their disappointment with leaders who once gave them hope.
Around 14 young people died when security teams shot at them on April 10 and 11. The former leader later forgave the shooters. Survivors and families still wait for someone to make things right. Many injured people struggle with daily life. Abdou Karim must use a wheelchair because of his wounds.
He told reporters yesterday that he and others had high hopes after the government changed. Officials called them heroes at first. They invited survivors to speak at many events. Everyone thought justice would come fast. Eight years later, nothing has changed. The current government seems to look away from their pain.
The president promised to make those April days special. They talked about creating a public holiday for schools. Plans existed to change Westfield Monument into a place where people could remember what happened. Yet, nothing came of these promises. Some families never learned where their loved ones were buried.
Abdou Karim directly asked the president if he cared about these families who needed closure. He wonders why former supporters of the dictator have better lives than those who suffered under his rule. The shooting survivors feel abandoned despite early promises. Their physical pain continues alongside their disappointment with leaders who once gave them hope.
