Beakanyang, a leading human rights and peacebuilding organization in the country, recently held a daylong forum in Sintet, Foni Jarrol, West coast Region. The forum known as Badinbung Bantaba formed part of series of activities being organized by the local NGO as part of its transitional justice project. The project is being funded by the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund with the EU and AU support.
In his welcoming remarks, Alkalo Lamin Badjie to welcomed Beakanyang officials and participants to the gathering. He further thanked Beakanyang for choosing, consulting and implementing the Badinbung project in Sintet. He noted that the Badinbung initiative is not only a part of the broader TRRC recommendations on reconciliation, but a very important characteristics of African values.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nfamara Jawneh, Executive Director thanked the people of Sintet especially victims for embracing the Badinbung initiative.
He disclosed that the objective of Badinbung is to provide safe space for victims and perpetrators to dialogue, take individual responsivity of past human rights violations and foster reconciliation.
“Badinbung is a traditional African Justice mechanism that was piloted by Beakanyang in URR in 2021 and has paid well in that part of the country,” he said.
According to him, not all victims had the opportunity to appear before TRRC and the Bantaba will provide such victims the platform to also share their stories. “We know there are many victims in this community especially whit-hunt victims of former regime, the Badinbung is here to support them,” he said.
Mrs. Nataba Drammeh, an influential woman in the village recounted on who effective the Badinbung used to be in the past and hailed its reintroduction in the village. “I thanked Beakanyang for coming up with this great initiative and also thank all your donors for making it possible,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the chief of Foni Jarrol, Mr. Abdurrahman Sanyang applauded Beakanyang for bringing Badinbung to the district. He further stated that the Badinbung is not a new concept in the country but has not being effectively utilized over the years. “The chief is very much appreciative of your coming and I urged community members to participate fully in today’s sessions and all other activities of Badinbung,” he said.
Meanwhile, as part of the Bantaba, Lawyer Lamin Sanyang also made a powerful presentation on African Union Transitional Justice Policy and Framework. Badinbung he said, is inline with the said policy.
At the end of the forum, several community members acknowledged that the initiative has already started laying the foundation for the restoration of broken relationships in the community.
