Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Despite the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rejecting The Gambia’s proposal for the organization to participate in a Special Tribunal to prosecute crimes committed under the regime of Yahya Jammeh, the government of The Gambia remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice for past atrocities.

In a public statement, The Ministry of Justice of The Gambia reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the ECOWAS Commission, Member States, and other partners to garner support for the Special Tribunal for The Gambia.

The government emphasized that the adoption of the Decision and Statute for the Special Tribunal would have been a significant milestone for both The Gambia and the broader ECOWAS community in the transitional justice program. Despite this setback, The Gambia remains dedicated to ensuring accountability for the crimes committed during the specified period. The Ministry of Justice will continue its efforts to build a supportive framework for justice and reconciliation.

On July 2, 2024, the ECOWAS Ministers of Justice met, considered, and adopted an Experts’ Report, approving the Draft Statute and Decision for the Special Tribunal for The Gambia. However, the following day, the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level deferred the memorandum’s consideration to their next session, delaying its discussion at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments scheduled for July 7, 2024.

The ECOWAS Parliament, deliberating on July 5, 2024, acknowledged The Gambia’s right to establish a Special Tribunal to prosecute crimes and human rights violations. However, it raised concerns about ECOWAS’s involvement in the process and subsequently voted against the proposal, delivering an unfavorable opinion on the matter.

The government of The Gambia remains resolute in its commitment to seeking justice and will continue working closely with all relevant parties to establish a suitable framework for accountability and reconciliation.