Gambiaj.com – (ABUJA, Nigeria) – West Africans are anticipating the upcoming ECOWAS summit, set for December 15, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, as leaders gather to address pressing regional issues. In preparation, ministers of foreign affairs and defense from ECOWAS member states convened in Abuja for the 53rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the ministerial level.

Among the critical matters on the agenda is The Gambia’s push for the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute perpetrators identified by the country’s Truth, Reparations, and Reconciliation Commission (TRRC).

The proposed tribunal has become a significant focus for Gambians, who hope the matter will advance to the authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government during the summit. At a technical level, progress has been made; ECOWAS Ministers of Justice and their experts recently endorsed the statute and decision for the tribunal.

However, political challenges remain, with the ECOWAS parliament declining to support the initiative in July.

Despite this setback, The Gambia’s government and civil society remain optimistic. Salieu Taal, former President of The Gambia Bar Association, emphasized the comprehensive work completed by the Joint ECOWAS-Gambia Technical Committee. “The draft statute for the proposed Special Tribunal has undergone extensive consultations with ECOWAS representatives, experts, and international criminal justice authorities, including Gambian nationals,” Taal stated. “What remains is the political process to secure approval from ECOWAS leadership.”

The special tribunal is seen as a cornerstone of The Gambia’s commitment to transitional justice following years of autocratic rule under Yahya Jammeh. Its establishment would address human rights abuses and provide justice to victims of past atrocities.

The Gambian government views ECOWAS’ support as critical for the tribunal’s realization, signaling the bloc’s commitment to justice and accountability in the region.

Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to addressing key regional challenges during the ministerial meeting. In his opening remarks, Touray highlighted issues such as the political and security crises in the region, humanitarian concerns, and the tribunal proposal.

Observers note that the December 15 summit will also be a litmus test for ECOWAS as it navigates a delicate period marked by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from the bloc. Progress on initiatives like The Gambia’s special tribunal could demonstrate ECOWAS’ ability to promote justice and stability amid regional upheavals.

As discussions continue, Gambians and regional stakeholders are eager to see whether the tribunal proposal will gain traction at the highest level. Its success, advocates argue, would set a powerful precedent for accountability in West Africa and reinforce ECOWAS’ role as a champion of justice.