Gambia's planned hybrid Special Tribunal requires sustainable funding to deliver justice to victims of past human rights violations, according to Justice Minister, Dawda Jallow. Speaking at a high-level regional seminar of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Sierra Leone on October 22-23, Jallow emphasized that the country has made progress in establishing institutions to pursue accountability, but the work is far from complete. The Gambia has passed laws establishing a Special Accountability Mechanism and a Special Prosecutor's Office.
The ECOWAS heads of state and government have approved the establishment of a hybrid Special Tribunal for the country, and the tribunal's first Special Prosecutor was appointed in April 2026. However, Jallow stressed that these initiatives are only foundations and not a finished building, highlighting the need for sustainable funding to ensure the tribunal can fulfil its mandate. The seminar brought together ministers, ambassadors, and other representatives from across Africa to discuss strengthening cooperation with the ICC.
Jallow emphasized that complementarity is not a dividing line between the ICC and national justice systems, but a shared responsibility requiring states to build their capacity to prosecute serious crimes domestically and cooperate with the ICC where national action falls short. He reminded participants that the ICC has no police force, prisons, or territory of its own, making states responsible for ensuring that suspects and witnesses can be brought before it.
Jallow also highlighted the importance of cooperation with the ICC, stating that selective, slow, or conditional cooperation is, in practice, nothing but impunity by another name. He stressed that cooperation with the Court is a legal obligation rather than a courtesy. The Gambia withdrew from the ICC in October 2016 under the previous government before rejoining in February 2017 under the new democratic government.
In her opening remarks, ICC Second Vice-President Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin urged Africans to remain committed to their values. She noted that Africa has four of the Court's 18 judges and 33 member states. The seminar concluded with renewed commitments by participating states to strengthen cooperation and partnerships in the fight against impunity for the gravest crimes under international law.
Jallow called for structured and honest dialogue between African states and the ICC, saying concerns about the uneven application of international justice deserve answers rather than dismissal. He argued that justice must be applied consistently to the powerful and the weak, regardless of nationality or official position. The seminar provided a platform for discussions on strengthening cooperation and partnerships in the fight against impunity.
The Gambia's experience in establishing institutions to pursue accountability was shared with participants, who renewed their commitments to strengthen cooperation and partnerships in the fight against impunity. The country's efforts to establish a hybrid Special Tribunal and a Special Prosecutor's Office demonstrate its commitment to accountability and justice for victims of past human rights violations.
Key points
- The Gambia's hybrid Special Tribunal requires sustainable funding to deliver justice to victims of past human rights violations.
- Justice Minister Dawda Jallow emphasized the importance of cooperation with the ICC to ensure accountability for serious crimes.
- The seminar concluded with renewed commitments by participating states to strengthen cooperation and partnerships in the fight against impunity.
