Gambia Appoints British Barrister to Prosecute Jammeh-Era Human Rights Abuses

Wed Apr 08 2026 22:24:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Gambian government has named Martin Hackett as the first special prosecutor to address human rights violations from Yahya Jammeh's two-decade regime, marking a significant step toward accountability for victims.

In a landmark decision, The Gambia has appointed British barrister Martin Hackett as the country's first special prosecutor to handle cases involving human rights abuses during the regime of ex-President Yahya Jammeh. This appointment comes after the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) documented widespread atrocities, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Hackett's role is expected to be pivotal in restoring justice and accountability for victims of the Jammeh era, which ended in 2017 when Jammeh went into exile. Survivors have long demanded accountability, with the TRRC having previously identified key perpetrators who now face prosecution.

In a significant judicial development, The Gambia has appointed British barrister Martin Hackett as the first special prosecutor to address human rights abuses committed during the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh, which ended when he went into exile in 2017.

Hackett is set to lead a newly established office, tasked with addressing the myriad of cases arising from a period characterized by severe human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

The establishment of this office follows the findings of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which was created to document the extent of the abuses conducted under Jammeh’s regime. In its final report, presented to current President Adama Barrow in 2021, the TRRC identified several individuals considered most responsible for the atrocities and recommended their prosecution.

The TRRC has collected harrowing testimonies from numerous victims, former security personnel, and witnesses, and it has urgently called for reparations for those affected, emphasizing that neglecting to prosecute these crimes could reinforce a culture of impunity.

According to reports, the TRRC has initiated phased compensation payments beginning with the victims of abuses that occurred soon after Jammeh's initial coup in 1994. Nevertheless, many survivors feel that monetary compensation is secondary to the need for accountability.

Notably, the TRRC identified infamous cases, including the 2004 murder of journalist Deyda Hydara and the execution of over 50 West African migrants by security forces, who were mistakenly accused of plotting a coup. Some of the perpetrators have already faced justice abroad based on universal jurisdiction principles, with convictions for former members of the notorious paramilitary group known as 'the Junglers' in Germany and the United States.

Hackett, who has significant experience including work with the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon and investigations into war crimes from the Kosovo war, is expected to be instrumental in fostering domestic accountability. The Attorney General Dawda Jallow has stated that Hackett was selected for a four-year mandate from a broad pool of candidates.

Jammeh, who did not cooperate with the TRRC, was forced from power after regional leaders insisted he step down following his unexpected election defeat in December 2016. He is currently believed to be living in exile in Equatorial Guinea and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.