Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Top American human rights lawyer Reed Brody has warned that US President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze all US-funded programs will severely impact The Gambia’s efforts to prosecute former President Yahya Jammeh.

Trump recently signed an executive order suspending all foreign aid programs for 90 days, citing the need for a review to ensure they align with his foreign policy objectives. In 2023 alone, the US provided $36 million in aid to The Gambia, supporting sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure development, democratic governance, and transitional justice.

In an exclusive interview with The Standard, Brody described the aid freeze as “a devastating blow” to The Gambia’s development and its quest for justice.

“Jammeh should thank Trump for making it more challenging to set up the Special Tribunal,” Brody remarked. “The abrupt halt in assistance threatens to disrupt ongoing projects and stall crucial progress. As someone who has worked closely with Gambian civil society and victims of Jammeh’s brutal regime, I am particularly concerned about what this means for transitional justice efforts—an achievement Gambians are justifiably proud of.”

The US had been expected to play a key role in funding the ECOWAS Hybrid Court, which is being established to prosecute Jammeh-era crimes, as well as the Special Prosecutor’s office.

“It was always going to be difficult to finance the court, but it will be even harder now,” Brody explained. “The State Department’s Office of Global Criminal Justice had already allocated funding to civil society organizations supporting the court. Now, organizations like the Centre for Justice and Accountability have paused work due to the aid freeze, and many Gambian groups are facing the same crisis.”

Despite the setback, Brody noted that organizations are seeking alternative funding sources, engaging the diaspora, and pursuing diplomatic efforts to reverse the cuts.

“They must also build local resilience, invest in self-sustaining projects, and strengthen partnerships to keep critical services running. The fight for justice, democracy, and human dignity is far from over.”

Growing Resistance to the Aid Freeze

Brody highlighted that US congressional Democrats are pushing for legislative measures to restore funding, while advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, and NGOs are mobilizing public pressure to reverse the cuts.

“Even evangelical leaders have urged Trump to reconsider, emphasizing the humanitarian and strategic importance of aid. This growing movement reflects a broad political, legal, and grassroots effort to protect US global engagement,” he said.

With the US aid freeze adding new obstacles to The Gambia’s accountability efforts, activists and international partners are racing against time to keep the pursuit of justice alive.

Source: Standard.gm