By Adama Makasuba

After twenty-five years since the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) allegedly killed 10 Gambian soldiers on suspicion of coup attempt, the scar is still fresh in the minds of the bereaved family members.

Tears rolled on the cheeks of the family members of the slain soldiers at Yundum Barracks outside the capital Banjul, on Wednesday after remains of seven soldiers were unearthed by the Investigation Team of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC).

After two weeks of excavation by the Investigation Team led by a forensic expert, they finally discovered human remains including, bones, skulls, a ring, underwears and cords in a single grave at the Yundum barracks.

Speaking at the sombre scene at Yundum Barracks, Fatou Manneh, who is a younger sister to the late Lt Bakary Manneh alias Nyancho, said the death of her brother left enormous burden on the family. She said the late Lt Manneh was the only person assisting their father in taken care of the family.

“We encountered so many problems because people responsible for our families were killed and, we face enormous difficulties. They all died young because when my brother was killed he was 26-years-old, but he was the breadwinner of our family then. I never thought I would see the remains of my brother,” Mrs. Manneh said.

Awa Njie, a window of the late Lt Abdoulie Dot Faal, earlier told the Commission that they had only one child, a boy, before the horrific action was meted on her husband by the Junta in 1994.

As she was touched with sorrow at the scene of the exhumed remains, Mrs. Njie said her slain husband and the others soldiers will finally be at eternal peace.

Fatou Sowe, also a widow to the late Sgt Fafa Nyang, urged the children of the slain soldiers to be patient and that they should be proud too as their fathers “died in liberating the country from the hands of Satan.”

Dr Lamin Sise, chairman of the TRRC Commission, assured the bereaved families of the Commission’s commitment to fulfilling their tasked, adding “If anybody doubts it whether or not people were killed that they were buried in mass graves, well here is the evidence.”

Meanwhile, President Adama Barrow extended his condolences to the bereaved families of the executed soldiers and called on all Gambians to work in assisting the TRRC Commission to carry out its mandate of establishing the truth and promote reconciliation.

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission was established to probe into the human rights violations and atrocities that occurred under the 22-year reign of the former president, Yahya Jammeh, who now lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea.