After three hours of testifying before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission on Wednesday, Omar Darboe finally appealed for forgiveness among Gambians and rejected ‘tribalism’ in the country.

“I want to appeal to Gambians to remove tribalism among us. Since I was born in this country, I never knew tribalism. If tribalism is not removed among us in this country, no matter how many presidents we have the country will not develop,” he said.

Mr. Darboe, also a UDP supporter explained in detail about the problems they (UDP supporters) encountered ahead of the 1996 presidential election which he alleged to have been done by the APRC supporters.

And giving details about the attacks, Darboe, 45, said they were attacked by people while on campaign in Foni, Jarra Karantaba, Essau, Sankulay Kunda Crossing Point, Farafenni, among other places.

He said in those fights, there were some people who sustained injuries because of the stones pelted against them by the attackers.

He said there were certain times during their tours when the PIU under the command of Captain Suwareh provided them with escorts, adding that in the Foni attack, the UDP convoy did not retaliate instead they patiently passed them.

“In Foni, I did not see any injuries on our people,” the witness said.

Mr Darboe said in Jarra Karantaba, some people were injured and the fight happened in the presence of Baba Jobe. He said the PIU personnel were not present at the Jarra Karantaba incident.

He said that at the Sankulay Kunda crossing point, they were attacked by people wearing APRC t-shirts who were provoking them and pelted stones at them.

He said this incident happened in the presence of Major Bojang, the then Commissioner of the Central River Region (CRR).

“The fight lasted for about 30 minutes and he did not see anyone with injuries,” he testified.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba