A landmark survey by CePRESS has exposed the profound personal and political toll of decades of human rights violations in The Gambia. 

It highlights the devastating effects on victims, their families, and public trust in government, as well as voter sentiment ahead of upcoming elections.

Nearly all direct victims reported severe consequences: 49% described their experiences as highly devastating, 50% as devastating, 1% as moderate, and none reported no impact. 

Regional variations were evident, with urban and semi-urban areas—including the Greater Banjul Area, West Coast, North Bank, Lower River, and Central River North—showing a near-even split between “highly devastating” and “devastating.” 

Rural areas, particularly Central River South and Upper River Region, reported the most extreme impacts, with 79–81% describing them as highly devastating.

Families were also heavily affected. Some 56% of respondents described the impact on families as highly devastating, and 42% as devastating, citing economic hardship, loss of breadwinners, disruption of education, mental health decline, and social stigma. 

The West Coast Region reported the highest severity (85% highly devastating), followed by Central River South (75%) and Upper River (74%).

Among direct victims, imprisonment was the most reported abuse (52%), followed by torture (29%) and accusations of witch-hunting (27%). 

Less common abuses included disappearances (8%), sexual and gender-based violence (2%), executions (2%), and persecution related to student demonstrations (2%). 

Families were often secondary victims, with 57% affected by a relative’s imprisonment and 35% indirectly affected by torture.

Awareness of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) is high, with 95% rating their knowledge as “good” or above. 

However, understanding of the Government White Paper is moderate, and knowledge of its implementation is low—53% rated their understanding as poor, with only 1% reporting excellent knowledge.

The survey also found that 60% of Gambians would not vote for President Adama Barrow if elections were held today, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction linked to governance, human rights, and public service delivery. 

Rural regions, hardest hit by past abuses, recorded the highest voter rejection rates.

By Adama Makasuba