Demba Ali Jawo has quitted his role at the National Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations (the Victims’ Centre) on a personal ground. 

His resignation comes after taking charge of the centre replacing Sheriff Kijera barely a year in the centre’s first election since its formation in 2017.

The centre is made up of victims of human rights violations during the Jammeh regime.

“I have tendered my resignation as chairman of the Victims’ Centre since 12th June, 2024, which was prompted purely by personal reasons and nothing to do with any grievances against anyone or anything in particular.

“When I was unanimously elected as chair in September 2023, I had my own pre-conceived ideas about how I intended to carry out my functions. However, as time went on, it dawned on me that the situation on the ground was not the same as I had anticipated and no matter how hard I had tried, I was not able to fit in the existing equation.”

“Therefore, I thought it was only fair that I stepped down to give chance to someone else to take over and probably steer the centre to safer waters,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba