The Gambia has taken a significant step towards addressing the crimes committed under former strongman Yahya Jammeh’s regime by appointing a special prosecutor. After nearly two years of preparation, the country has officially named British lawyer Martin Hackett to the position, a move welcomed by activists and the international community. Hackett’s appointment comes after a truth commission uncovered numerous human rights abuses, including the deaths of 240 to 250 individuals, during Jammeh’s rule from 1994 to 2017.
The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO), established through legislation passed by the Gambian parliament in April 2024, is tasked with prosecuting cases identified by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). Hackett will be responsible for trying 70 individuals recommended by the TRRC for crimes committed during the Jammeh era. His arrival in the country is expected before the end of the month. “.
The experience Martin Hackett brings is invaluable, “said Reed Brody, an international war crimes prosecutor assisting Jammeh’s victims. Hackett’s background includes complex war crimes prosecutions, command responsibility cases, and work with victims of sexual violence, all of which are pertinent to the cases at hand. He will also be required to submit annual reports to the president, the National Assembly, the West African bloc ECOWAS, and the Attorney General.
Jammeh’s 22-year rule ended in 2016 with his loss in the presidential election to opposition leader Adama Barrow. Following the election, Jammeh fled the country and is currently living in exile in Equatorial Guinea. The Truth Commission, set up in 2017 to investigate the abuses committed under Jammeh’s rule, heard testimonies from nearly 400 individuals.
The commission’s 2021 report recommended prosecuting Jammeh and 69 others. While the ECOWAS backed the creation of a separate Special Tribunal for Gambia in 2024, it has yet to be funded. Hackett will have the discretion to determine whether to try cases in Gambia or before the ECOWAS tribunal when it is established.
Source: Africanews
Original author: AfricaNews
