Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Government of The Gambia has officially nominated Mr. Abubacarr M. Tambadou as the country’s candidate for election as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2026, marking a historic first for the West African nation. This is the first time The Gambia has put forward a candidate for the world’s principal judicial body since its establishment in 1945.

Mr. Tambadou, an internationally respected legal expert with over two decades of experience, has built a distinguished career in international law. His roles have included serving as a prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Attorney General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia, and, most recently, as the Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). In this capacity, he holds the rank of Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations, a position he has occupied since 2020.

His nomination comes as a recognition of his lifelong dedication to the rule of law, human rights, and international justice. As Gambia’s Attorney General, Mr. Tambadou played a crucial role in the country’s post-2016 democratic transition, overseeing legal reforms and the transitional justice process, which earned The Gambia international acclaim.

Beyond his national contributions, Mr. Tambadou is known for his work in prosecuting war crimes and genocide. At the ICTR, he was instrumental in securing convictions in landmark cases, including the prosecution of Augustin Bizimungu, the former Chief of Staff of the Rwandan Army. His work in the international legal arena was further solidified when he led The Gambia’s historic case against Myanmar at the ICJ, accusing the country of violating the Genocide Convention in its treatment of the Rohingya people.

In recognition of his contributions to global justice, Mr. Tambadou was listed among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2020 and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.

The Gambian government has pledged full support for his candidacy, emphasizing that his election would be a source of immense national pride. A statement from the Ministry of Information described his nomination as “not just a milestone for The Gambia but for the advancement of global justice,” adding that his leadership and integrity make him an ideal candidate for the ICJ.

If elected, Mr. Tambadou’s judgeship would further cement The Gambia’s growing role in international law and human rights advocacy. His track record, spanning both prosecution and justice sector reforms, positions him as a formidable contender for one of the highest judicial offices in the world.