Panafrican News Agency

Gambia’s gov’t salutes woman for speaking out against sexual violence by former president Jammeh

 

 

Banjul, Gambia (PANA)   -   Gambian Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr M. Tambadou has saluted Ms Fatou Jallow, a Gambian national, for coming out openly against former President Yahya Jammeh whom she accused of raping her.

 “The courage of Ms Jallow for speaking up and sharing her story with the world and for exposing yet another serious allegation of reprehensible conduct by former President Jammeh who abused his position as head of state to the detriment of many Gambians, including the sexual assault of Ms Jallow, a young and brave girl,” a statement received by PANA said here Wednesday.

Tambadou said he had followed with keen interest the recent publication on 25 June 2019 of an interview by the New York Times of Ms Fatou Jallow, a Gambian national, who was reportedly raped by former President Yahya Jammeh.

"I take this opportunity to call upon all women and girls in the country to emulate Ms Jallow by speaking up about their own experiences with former President Jammeh and to do so in any manner that they see fit, including through testimony before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC),” he noted.

He added: “It is only through speaking up and exposing such despicable acts, especially by those in positions of power, can we effectively combat the scourge and menace of sexual violence against women and girls in our society.”

 

- 0-   PANA    MSS/RA   26June2019