44 Ghanaian families among first beneficiaries of The Gambia's Jammeh reparations

The Gambia Reparations Commission has begun paying reparations to victims of human rights abuses committed under the regime of former dictator Yahya Jammeh, marking a major step in the country’s transitional justice process.

In a statement issued on Monday, January 12, 2026, the commission described the payments as a “significant milestone” toward restoring justice and dignity to victims and their families.

Among those covered in the first phase of payments are the families of 44 Ghanaians who were killed in the 2005 migrant massacre, one of the most notorious crimes linked to Jammeh’s rule.

Speaking on the development on TV3's News Central on Tuesday, January 14, 2026,

William Nyarko, the Executive Director of the Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA), said the move by The Gambia represents progress, especially after years of stalled accountability.

“It is definitely a step forward considering how far this case has struggled. There've been many Gambian issues that started back before Yahya Jammeh became president", he noted.

William Nyarko explained that many Gambians have suffered abuses over the years, however, the 2005 incident drew regional attention after foreign nationals, including 44 Ghanaians were caught up in the violence, while attempting to travel through Senegal to The Gambia en route to Europe.

The foreign nationals were wrongly accused of being mercenaries plotting to overthrow Jammeh.

“When they were arrested, they had no weapons or equipment. They should have been taken through the court system, but that did not happen,” Nyarko said.

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He noted that civil society groups have been working closely with the victims’ families since 2018, particularly those based in Ghana’s Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo and Western regions, to document their cases.

“We have the information. With the exception of two or three survivors, all of those killed have families who will receive compensation on their behalf.

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“The money part is one bit, but the justice part, what I call Gambia 2.0, is bringing Jammeh and his co-conspirators to justice,” he added.

The Gambia Reparations Commission has begun disbursing payments to victims of human rights violations that occurred between July 1994 and January 2017.

Announcing the milestone on Monday, January 12, 2026, the commission said the initiative is aimed at “facilitating justice, restoring dignity, and supporting the recovery of victims who endured violations during the specified period.”

Payments are being disbursed in phases, starting with victims whose violations occurred in 1994.

The commission is actively contacting eligible victims and victim groups to verify information and complete the necessary steps for disbursement.

Victims who have not yet registered or updated their details are urged to contact the commission as soon as possible.

The 44 Ghanaians, along with about 15 other West African nationals, mainly young men believed to be travelling towards Europe, were arrested and executed by Gambian security agents in July 2005 during the rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.

The killings sparked outrage across the region, especially in Ghana.

In 2021, The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) concluded that the killings were state-sanctioned and recommended justice and reparations.

JKB/AE

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