Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The government of The Gambia has announced the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to spearhead criminal prosecutions linked to abuses committed during the rule of former president Yahya Jammeh.
The announcement was made during a joint press briefing by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Information, where officials said the appointment followed a rigorous selection process designed to ensure transparency and clarity in establishing the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO).
British barrister Martin Hackett, a legal practitioner with extensive experience in prosecuting international crimes, is expected to play a central role in the country’s accountability process as authorities move to operationalize the new office.
Hackett, who was called to the Bar in 1995, is affiliated with Lincoln House Chambers in the United Kingdom and has built a career handling complex international criminal cases, particularly in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Mandate Of The Special Prosecutor’s Office
The Special Prosecutor’s Office is a key institution being established by the Ministry of Justice to investigate and prosecute serious crimes committed during the Jammeh era.
Its creation forms part of The Gambia’s broader transitional justice process following the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which documented widespread human rights violations between 1994 and 2017.
According to authorities, the SPO will lead criminal investigations into alleged perpetrators, prepare cases for prosecution, and work with both national and international partners to advance accountability for victims.
The office is also expected to coordinate closely with a future hybrid court that the government plans to establish in partnership with international actors, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
For victims and civil society organisations, the effectiveness of the Special Prosecutor’s Office is widely viewed as a critical test of the government’s commitment to delivering justice for abuses documented by the TRRC.
Experience in International War Crimes Cases
Hackett brings significant experience in the prosecution of serious international crimes, including war crimes committed during the Kosovo conflict.
He previously served in a senior prosecutorial role within Kosovo’s war crimes framework, where he led a year-long trial involving 19 defendants. The case, one of the most high-profile proceedings handled by Kosovo courts, included allegations of sexual and gender-based violence and other acts of extreme brutality.
Beyond courtroom litigation, Hackett also managed a War Crimes Prosecution Unit that oversaw more than 800 investigations, coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies and contributing to broader prosecution strategies in a politically complex environment.
Handling Sensitive Post-Conflict Processes
Hackett has also been involved in high-level diplomatic engagements related to transitional justice, including negotiations with Serbian authorities over the return of human remains recovered from mass graves.
His work has extended to collaboration with non-governmental organizations on victims’ rights, particularly in cases involving sexual violence.
Observers say his experience in handling complex investigations, addressing command responsibility, and navigating politically sensitive environments aligns closely with the demands of The Gambia’s transition from truth-telling to criminal accountability.
Outside his prosecutorial work, Hackett has also been active in legal education and mentoring, speaking at universities and professional forums in the United Kingdom to encourage students, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds, to pursue careers in law.
His appointment marks a significant step in The Gambia’s efforts to implement the recommendations of the TRRC and pursue accountability for past abuses under the rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
However, analysts note that the success of the Special Prosecutor’s Office will largely depend on how it is resourced, structured, and supported as it begins operations in the coming months.
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