Dans la capitale sénégalaise, une exposition poignante a vu le jour, rendant hommage aux victimes du régime répressif de l’ancien président gambien, Yahya Jammeh. Cet événement unique en son genre, intitulé “La vérité pourrait-elle être ensevelie avec les morts ?”, présente des témoignages, des photographies et des vidéos qui documentent les violations des droits de l’homme commises sous son règne. À travers cette exposition, les organisateurs espèrent raviver la mémoire de ces injustices et rappeler l’importance de la justice et de la vérité pour les victimes et leurs familles.
Memory House is an exhibition of Gambian victims of former President Yaya Jammeh’s regime, during which hundreds of people were killed, disappeared, or tortured between 1994 and 2017. The exhibition is an itinerant show for Gambians and other West Africans to learn about the atrocities committed during Jammeh’s brutal regime. In the spirit of never forgetting the past, a collection of photographs, personal effects, and texts tells the stories of those who were disappeared or tortured.
According to Awa Njie, who lost her spouse in 1994, the exhibition’s importance cannot be overstated, saying “Those who were killed, those who were compelled to drink a toxic concoction, those whose bodies were cut into pieces and fed to crocodiles. The fact that these things actually happened is something that the Memory House highlights.” The exhibition has received critical acclaim, particularly from Gambians and other West African countries.
The founder of Aneked – the organization behind Memory House – Nana-Jo Ndow, lost her father, Saul Ndow, in 2013. The organization’s aim is for the stories of victims to be shared while awaiting a possible trial of former Gambian leader Jammeh.
Through Memory House, the organization hopes to inspire the youth to engage in constructive dialogue, leading to psychological healing for the victims. The exhibition features portraits of victims’ loved ones and personal belongings, increasing the emotional impact on attendees. The exhibition is meant to spark a conversation about state violence’s impact, leading to healing and social transformation.
The exhibition has been an essential tool in promoting dialogue around the historical events of Jammeh’s regime. Even though Senegal and Gambia share similar cultural and geographic connections, the stories are scarcely known in Senegal. To increase awareness, Amnesty International’s Elimane ElGueye, the organization’s partner, stresses the need to disseminate the message to raise awareness about human rights violations in Gambia. This is necessary because nobody is immune to government excesses.
Memory House is an exhibition with the goal of continuing to tour other countries where there are victims of Jammeh’s regime or a large Gambian diaspora. The founder reveals that they are looking forward to touring Ghana with Ghanaian victims while hoping to visit other countries, including the United Nations and Sweden due to the numerous Gambians residing in Sweden.
The organization is also making an appeal for action, urging people to join them in their fight for truth, justice, and accountability. The Gambian government has accepted most of the recommendations of the Truth Commission, paving the way for significant progress towards justice. The organization is committed to pushing for a trial in Ghana, and they recognize it will take time since it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
In conclusion, Memory House’s exhibition is an essential tool in promoting national dialogue on state violence’s impact, leading to healing and social transformation. Through the exhibition, the Gambian rights group seeks to shed light on Jammeh’s regime’s atrocities and promote awareness, particularly in Senegal. Regardless of the obstacles, the organization is committed to continuing the exhibition’s tour and advancing their cause to ensure truth, justice, and accountability.
