Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – In a landmark move to advance justice for crimes committed under the regime of exiled former President Yahya Jammeh, The government of The Gambia has launched an international recruitment campaign to appoint a Special Prosecutor, a Deputy Special Prosecutor, and a Head of the investigations division.

These roles will form the core leadership of the long-anticipated Special Tribunal established to prosecute the most serious crimes committed between 1994 and 2017.

This strategic development marks a turning point in the country’s transitional justice efforts, transitioning from symbolic steps to operational readiness.

The recruitment of these three key officials is intended to lay the institutional foundation for the tribunal, which follows the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

The TRRC identified former President Jammeh and over 60 officials as bearing responsibility for torture, killings, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence.

The Special Prosecutor will lead the tribunal’s legal arm, overseeing prosecutions and coordinating international cooperation.

The Deputy will support this mandate while helping drive institutional continuity and strategy.

Meanwhile, the Head of Investigations will manage complex probes into international crimes and human rights violations, ensure witness and victim coordination, and supervise forensic and legal teams.

“This isn’t just staffing — this is state-building in the justice sector,” said a Gambian legal analyst. “With the right people in place, the Tribunal has a real shot at delivering justice not only symbolically but also substantively.”

The Special Tribunal is expected to operate under a hybrid model—rooted in Gambian law but incorporating international legal standards and personnel—to bolster impartiality and credibility.

Though Yahya Jammeh remains in Equatorial Guinea under the protection of President Teodoro Obiang, the international nature of the tribunal leaves open the possibility of eventual extradition or trial in absentia.

The recruitment of independent, experienced legal professionals now places pressure on regional actors and international partners to support the next stage of the justice process.

Victims’ groups and rights advocates have welcomed the move as long overdue. “We have waited years since the TRRC for real signs of commitment. This shows the government is finally putting action behind its promises,” said Fatou Jagne, a survivor advocate.

The appointments are expected to be finalized later this year, marking a critical step toward accountability, truth, and justice in post-Jammeh Gambia.