Shape International

By Frederic Tendeng of The Gambia Journal Gambiaj.com - (Banjul, The Gambia) - In a landmark move to advance justice for crimes committed under the regime of exiled former President Yahya Jammeh, The government of The Gambia has launched an international recruitment campaign to appoint a Special Prosecutor, a Deputy Special Prosecutor, and a Head of the investigations division. These roles will form the core leadership of the long-anticipated Special Tribunal established to prosecute the most serious crimes committed between 1994 and 2017. This strategic development marks a turning point in the country's transitional justice efforts, transitioning from symbolic steps to operational readiness. The recruitment of these three key officials is intended to lay the institutional foundation for the tribunal, which follows the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The TRRC identified former President Jammeh and over 60 officials as bearing r...

Amnesty International call for action to end sexual violence in Sudan. Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Sudan finds that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has inflicted widespread sexual violence on women and girls, some as young as 15, throughout Sudan’s two-year civil war to humiliate, assert control and displace communities across the country. Amnesty International states: "Our research also found that none of the survivors of sexual violence interviewed for this report had access to post rape-care services or reported the cases to authorities. It was difficult for them to access health facilities and the police because of the ongoing fighting, and they also feared stigmatization and reprisals.]" “I want the whole world to know about the suffering of Sudanese women and girls and ensure that all the bad men who raped us are punished”, said Suhair, a survivor in a refugee settlement in Uganda, according to AI. AI states in an email message circular that the survivor...

In drives to present a comprehensive review of its progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while fostering partnerships and strengthening its institutional capacity for sustainable development officials of the Ministry of Finance recently organised a day sensitisation seminar for disabled peoples’ organisation under the purview of the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) . The event is also part of efforts to mainstream disabilities in The Gambia in line with the National Disability Act which among others requires inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of development. However during discussions persons with disabilities observed that their conditions has not improved, and has ironically deteriorated, hence calling for more recognition and improved conditions of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Participants at the seminar held at the GOVI Resource centre in Kanifing noted that addressing health needs for PWDs is...

Friday 21 March 2025 Vision Development Foundation (VDF) extended their philanthropist gestures to members of the security forces and various Gambian communities, in maintaining the Islamic norms and virtues of Ramadan which allows us to feel the pain of brothers and sisters who live in poverty and cannot afford even the very basic human needs. Momnodou Turop Darboe- VDF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in his remarks unveiled that a total of 5496 bags of Sugar in 10 Kilos was to be distributed last Friday during the handing over ceremony at the VDF Office in Churchill's Town,Serekunda, as part of their annual Ramadan Sugar and other relief food items donations to communities from various parts of The Gambia. He added that 2250 Kilograms of diabettes Sugar was also to be distributed on Friday evening, adding that beneficiaries includes: the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF)- 1100, Gambia Police Force- a combination of different Police Units- 511, The Gambia Fire and Rescue Services, Pri...

div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Vision Development Foundation yesterday, Tuesday handed over 3,689 bags of sugar in 10 Kilos as part of their annual Ramadan Gifts donations to needy communities in The Gambia, conducted in an exemplary leadership style coordinated by Momodou Turo Darboe- VDF CEO, who is leading by example in supporting Muslims during Ramadan as required by Islam. Last Tuesday donation also included various political parties in The Gambia. Mr Saihou Fofana - VDF PRO among others said they invited politicians not because they are politicking, but because they know politicians also have followers that will need support during Ramadan. And they invited all the political parties to avoid discriminations. Communities and disabled people organisation, were among Tuesday's beneficiaries. Mr. Saihou Fofana, Vision Development Foundation (VDF) Communication Directors in his welcoming remarks highlighted the Foundation's annua...