International
-Sathish Raman
West
Africa’s
regional
bloc,
ECOWAS,
has
approved
the
establishment
of
a
special
court
to
address
crimes
committed
in
Gambia
during
its
military
dictatorship.
This
decision
was
made
at
a
summit
of
regional
leaders
in
Abuja,
Nigeria.
The
court
will
focus
on
alleged
crimes
under
Yahya
Jammeh’s
rule
from
1996
to
2017,
which
included
arbitrary
detention,
sexual
abuse,
and
extrajudicial
killings.
image
Jammeh
lost
the
presidential
election
in
2016
and
went
into
exile
in
Equatorial
Guinea
after
initially
refusing
to
step
down.
Calls
for
justice
for
victims
of
his
regime
have
been
growing
in
Gambia,
a
nation
surrounded
by
Senegal
except
for
a
small
Atlantic
coastline.
In
2021,
a
truth
commission
concluded
its
hearings
with
strong
recommendations
for
prosecuting
perpetrators.
Justice
Efforts
Gain
Momentum
In
May,
a
Swiss
court
sentenced
Jammeh’s
former
interior
minister
to
20
years
in
prison
for
crimes
against
humanity.
Additionally,
in
November,
a
German
court
convicted
Bai
Lowe,
a
Gambian
man,
of
murder
and
crimes
against
humanity.
Lowe
was
involved
in
the
killing
of
government
critics
as
a
driver
for
a
military
unit
targeting
Jammeh’s
opponents.
The
Gambian
Justice
Ministry
hailed
the
establishment
of
the
special
court
as
a
“historic
development” and
“a
significant
step
forward
for
Gambia,
the
region,
and
international
community.”
This
move
is
seen
as
crucial
for
addressing
past
injustices
and
ensuring
accountability.
The
truth
commission’s
recommendations
have
been
pivotal
in
pushing
for
justice.
The
commission
urged
the
Gambian
government
to
prosecute
those
responsible
for
human
rights
abuses
during
Jammeh’s
regime.
These
efforts
reflect
a
broader
commitment
to
addressing
historical
wrongs
and
promoting
reconciliation.
The
establishment
of
this
special
court
marks
an
important
milestone
in
West
Africa’s
pursuit
of
justice.
It
underscores
the
region’s
dedication
to
holding
accountable
those
responsible
for
grave
human
rights
violations.
As
these
proceedings
unfold,
they
offer
hope
for
healing
and
closure
for
victims
and
their
families.