FOROYAA REMINDS THE NATION "Don’t Forget April 10 and 11" says Abdou Karim Jammeh 
 
Our readers would recall that every 10th day of April Abdou Karim Jammeh, a victim of the April 10 shooting would walk into the Foroyaa office and request for an interview. His clarion call has always been: "Don’t Forget April 10 and 11." This year Abdou Karim is not around. His wish has been met. A German friend has arranged for him to go to Germany for further treatment. Hence, we have decided to answer to his clarion call. 
 
Abdou Karim Jammeh, is a student victim of the April 10 shootings of 13 people mainly students. Unlike many of the victims and their parents who have decided to withdraw into silence Abdou Karim has been voicing out his grievances against the inaction of the government in addressing the injustices perpetrated against them and those who condemn the government but do nothing to help them to get international treatment or financial support to get training and meet their daily needs until they finish their training. 
 
Abdou Karim was 19 years when he was shot. He was admitted at the RVH for four months before he was discharged. His situation got worse and had to go to Senegal for further treatment. The doctors further recommended that he should have overseas treatment.
 
For nine years Adou Karim sought humanitarian assistance to seek further treatment but to no avail. His academic career was interrupted by the shooting.
 
Readers would recall that the death of Ebrima Barry after being held in custody by Fire Service officers triggered a request for permit to hold a students demonstration. The request for a permit was further strengthened by the raping of a school girl at the Independence Stadium. The permit was rejected and negotiations followed between the GAMSU leaders and the authorities. As students gathered to wait for the outcome skirmishes between security forces and students started and later developed into confrontation.
 
Now, most of the student victims are in their late 20s and early 30s. The attempt by the Government to use the Indemnity Act to indemnify the culprits was frustrated by the Supreme Court which rejected any attempt to apply the Act retroactively. Despite this fact, the voices of the victims have been hushed. A number of security personnel mentioned in connection with the incident are now serving prison terms and many others are no longer in their positions and some are even dead. Some of the Ministers are no longer part of the cabinet. The then heads of Military units are also not in their positions. Nothing is permanent except TRUTH!
 
As we remind Government and people of the need for justice to be done, we must equally draw the attention of all to the transience of power and positions. It is only our deeds which are immortal. History will absolve us for good deeds and indict us for bad ones. 
 
Each has a choice of the side of history one wishes to be a part of. Make your choice wisely. We wish Abdou Karim successful operation. We could see the choice in his face when he was taken to the airport to pick up his flight. We hope to receive him again with a face wearing a greater joy as a result of a successful operation.
Abdou Karim, we have not forgotten April 10 and 11. 





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