President Adama Barrow has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims of human rights violations that occurred during the previous regime. He made these remarks during the opening of the 2025 Legal Year in Banjul on February 9, 2025.
In his speech, President Barrow spoke about the progress made in The Gambia’s transitional justice process. He emphasised that the government is focused on holding those responsible for crimes committed under former President Yahya Jammeh accountable. The President mentioned that after the release of the White Paper in 2022, the government took steps to bring justice to the victims and address past wrongs.
A major development in this effort is the creation of a Special Prosecutor’s Office and a Special Tribunal. These bodies are set up to investigate and prosecute serious human rights violations and international crimes that took place between July 1994 and January 2017 during Jammeh’s rule. President Barrow also pointed out that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently approved the establishment of the Special Tribunal, calling it a key step in ensuring accountability.
The President stressed that the tribunal’s work would send a clear message that impunity will not be allowed in The Gambia, helping to strengthen the rule of law and public trust in government institutions. He also reiterated that transitional justice is important for healing society, rebuilding trust in public institutions, and promoting lasting peace.
Along with focusing on past wrongs, President Barrow reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the rule of law and democracy. He commended the judiciary for its efforts to modernise the legal system, such as the use of advanced court reporting tools and technology, which improve access to justice. He also praised initiatives to improve district tribunals and educate communities on legal matters.
President Barrow highlighted the creation of more courts and the appointment of qualified judges as important steps to ensure faster and fairer justice. He stressed that the ongoing reforms aim to make The Gambia’s justice system one of the best in the world.
In his closing remarks, the President acknowledged the vital support of international partners, including ECOWAS, in these reforms. He reiterated that the goal is to build a justice system that meets global standards and serves as a model for other countries. President Barrow called for continued collaboration to ensure justice, fairness, and accountability, particularly for the victims of the Jammeh regime.
