A significant step toward justice and reconciliation has been taken in The Gambia with the launch of a Special Court dedicated to prosecuting serious crimes committed during the regime of former president Yahya Jammeh, who ruled the country from 1994 to 2016.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Gambian Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Gambia Bar Association, brought together key transitional justice stakeholders—including legal professionals, civil society leaders, and international experts—for a consultation meeting aimed at reviewing the statutes of the Special Accountability Mechanism (SAM).
The Special Court, a core component of SAM, is set to adjudicate human rights violations documented by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). These include unlawful killings, torture, sexual violence, and enforced disappearances.
The recent meeting focused on the legal framework adopted by ECOWAS in December 2024.
This framework encompasses the SAM Act, the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, a Special Criminal Division within the High Court, and a Special Tribunal for International Crimes.
Neneh MC Cham, President of the Gambia Bar Association, stressed the necessity of delivering justice for victims and continuing with institutional reforms.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Justice, Special Advisor Ida Persson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the mechanism, announcing that appointments to key roles would soon be finalized.
Technical discussions on the tribunal’s statutes were led by international legal expert Martin Petrov, who underscored the court’s independence and its national and regional significance.
He commended Gambia’s progress in transitional justice, noting that it had captured the attention of the international community.
Participants at the meeting emphasized several critical elements: ensuring victim participation, protecting witnesses, maintaining transparency throughout proceedings, and mobilizing the necessary resources to ensure the system’s success.
The meeting ended with a unified pledge of support to the Ministry of Justice, as the country prepares to operationalize the Tribunal—viewed as a landmark in Gambia’s ongoing fight against impunity and a key measure in safeguarding human rights.
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