Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-03-01 09:38:00
Justice Minister Dawda Jallow has indicated that former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, currently in exile in Equatorial Guinea, will face trial in person before the Ecowas hybrid court. The Gambia is collaborating with Ecowas to establish a hybrid tribunal to prosecute Jammeh and other individuals responsible for gross human rights violations in The Gambia from July 1994 to January 2017.
To facilitate the establishment of the internationalized court, a joint technical committee consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ecowas Court, Gambia Bar Association, the judiciary, and victim-led organizations was inaugurated. The committee’s mandate includes developing legal frameworks, a funding plan, ratification, and implementation strategies within an 18-week timeframe.
Addressing concerns regarding Jammeh’s potential trial in absentia due to the absence of an extradition treaty between The Gambia and Equatorial Guinea, Justice Minister Jallow emphasized that Jammeh would be tried in person. While there is no extradition agreement in place with Equatorial Guinea, Justice Jallow expressed confidence in finding alternative means to bring Jammeh to justice. The focus currently lies on establishing the court and determining the logistics of Jammeh’s trial process.
The committee is tasked with drafting treaties to be signed by both The Gambia and Ecowas for the operationalization of the hybrid court, with plans for ratification at the domestic level. Once the legal framework is in place, recruitment of court personnel and sourcing of experts will commence. The court structure will include a trial chamber and an appeals chamber, although a specific timeline for the court’s full operation remains undisclosed.
Ecowas resident representative Miatta Lily French highlighted that the hybrid court will have jurisdiction over international crimes and offenses not covered under Gambian law. The court will be based in The Gambia, with the option to relocate proceedings to a third country if necessary. The trials aim to provide closure for victims who may have suffered violations during Jammeh’s regime.
Representatives from victims’ organizations at the joint committee underscored the importance of ensuring victims’ voices are heard throughout the legal processes. Priscilla Yagu Ceesay emphasized the initiative’s significance in expediting the prosecution of crimes not covered by Gambian laws and reiterated the need to prioritize victims’ perspectives in the pursuit of justice.
Overall, the collaboration between The Gambia and Ecowas signals a commitment to holding perpetrators of human rights violations, including former president Yahya Jammeh, accountable for their actions. The establishment of the hybrid court represents a critical step towards achieving justice for victims and addressing the legacy of abuses during Jammeh’s tenure.
Read the original article on The Standard
