Two-Day Seminar Calls for Full Implementation of TRRC Religious Freedom Recommendations
Group Photo © Askanwi
By Fatou Jaiteh
In their efforts to promote religious equality in The Gambia, the Women’s Association for Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE) hosted a two-day seminar at the Baobab Hotel in Bijilo. Held from 14th to 15th April 2025, the seminar focused on protecting the rights of minority faith communities.
Co-hosted by WAVE Gambia and the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), the event underscored the urgent need for the Gambian government to fully implement the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), particularly those concerning religious freedom.
"In 2019, seven women activists came together to form the Women’s Association for Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE). These women have been actively involved in the transitional justice process from the outset, with four among them being direct victims of human rights violations," the seminar noted.
Titled "Uniting for Freedom of Religion or Belief: Advancing Dialogue, Inclusion, and Sustainable Peace in The Gambia," the seminar comes at a pivotal moment, as the country continues to grapple with the lingering legacy of religious intolerance from the former regime. It served as a powerful call to action—not just for government officials, but for all Gambians—to protect the rights of religious minorities and preserve the nation’s long-standing tradition of religious coexistence.
Ms. Priscilla Yagu Ceesay, co-founder of WAVE Gambia, delivered a compelling message, reminding attendees that religious freedom is not just a theoretical right but a fundamental pillar of peace and human dignity.
"This seminar is more than an event; it is a statement," Madam Ceesay emphasised. "We must come together to ensure that the freedom to believe is not merely a constitutional promise but a lived reality for every Gambian."
Ms. Priscilla Yagu Ceesay, co-founder of WAVE Gambia © Askanwi
The seminar also shed light on the systematic exclusion and persecution of minority religious groups under the previous regime. Among the most affected were the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Shia Muslims, and the Ndigal Sect. According to the government's white paper—specifically Chapter 4 on political parties and religion—the TRRC recommended, and the government accepted, that restitution and rehabilitation be provided to the Ndigal Sect in The Gambia (Kerr Mot Ali), a group that faced severe discrimination and violence due to their beliefs.
Ceesay stressed that the denial of religious freedom creates deep societal divides that ultimately threaten national peace and stability.
Another major focus of the seminar was the critical role of parliamentarians in protecting religious rights. Dr. Rashid Draman, Executive Director of ACEPA, discussed the importance of building bridges between communities and the National Assembly to drive lasting change. He emphasised that parliamentary action is essential for turning the TRRC recommendations into concrete benefits for the country’s most vulnerable groups.
Representing the Solicitor General at the event, Saffie Nyang offered a hopeful update on the government’s efforts to address past injustices. She highlighted the recent swearing-in of commissioners for the Victims Reparations Commission, a vital step towards delivering justice to those who suffered under the previous regime. Nyang reiterated the government's commitment to protecting religious minorities, stressing that lasting peace cannot be achieved if any group is denied their fundamental rights.
"Religious freedom is not just a legal matter; it is a matter of human dignity," Nyang stated. "The TRRC has revealed the scars of our past, but it also offers us a blueprint for healing. Our commitment to these recommendations is unwavering."
According to the live Implementation Dashboard for TRRC Recommendations on the National Human Rights Commission's website, only three out of 19 recommendations related to attacks on religious freedoms have been completed.
The completed activities are as follows:
For the full list of recommendations, you can access the links provided above.
The seminar also celebrated the growing role of civil society in advocating for the protection of religious freedoms. As the two-day event progressed, participants expressed optimism that the government would follow through on its promises and that The Gambia could once again shine as a beacon of religious harmony in the subregion.
For those who attended, the seminar was more than a moment of reflection—it was a rallying cry. It called on all Gambians, regardless of faith, to unite in ensuring that religious freedom is safeguarded for generations to come.
