Gambia Appoints British Barrister to Prosecute Jammeh-Era Crimes

The Gambia has named Martin Hackett, a British barrister, as its inaugural special prosecutor to investigate human rights violations linked to the 22-year presidency of Yahya Jammeh. This role marks the first step in holding those accountable for atrocities including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and systemic repression that defined his rule. Hackett will lead a dedicated office tasked with pursuing justice for crimes committed under Jammeh’s leadership, which concluded in 2017 after he fled to exile.

TRRC’s Role in Unearthing Abuse

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was established to record the scale of alleged abuses during Jammeh’s tenure. Its 2021 final report, presented to President Adama Barrow, outlined key perpetrators and urged their prosecution. The commission collected testimonies from survivors, ex-security personnel, and other witnesses, emphasizing the need for reparations to address harm caused. It also warned that inaction could perpetuate a culture of impunity.

“Hackett was selected from a broad pool of candidates and will serve for four years,” stated Attorney General Dawda Jallow.

Accountability Over Compensation

While the TRRC has initiated phased compensation payments, starting with victims of abuses from the 1994 coup, many survivors prioritize justice over financial redress. Notable cases in the commission’s findings include the 2004 murder of journalist Deyda Hydara and the execution of over 50 West African migrants by security forces, falsely accused of plotting a coup. Some individuals involved in these crimes have already faced convictions abroad under universal jurisdiction, including members of the infamous “Junglers” paramilitary unit, who were jailed in Germany and the United States.

Prosecution Begins in Gambia

Hackett’s appointment is viewed as a pivotal moment for domestic justice, drawing on his experience with the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon and his work on war crimes during the Kosovo conflict. His mandate includes addressing cases that span Jammeh’s entire regime, ensuring legal action against those responsible for the worst atrocities. The ex-president, who resisted TRRC efforts and left power only after regional leaders intervened in 2016, remains in exile in Equatorial Guinea. Now 60, Jammeh has consistently denied wrongdoing, though his time in office is now under scrutiny.

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