The Gambian government has appointed British barrister Martin Hackett to lead a new office tasked with prosecuting human rights abuses committed during the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh. Hackett, an experienced international lawyer, will oversee a four-year mandate aimed at securing domestic accountability for crimes that took place between 1994 and 2017.
Attorney General Dawda Jallow confirmed the appointment, noting that Hackett was selected from a competitive pool of candidates. Hackett brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served at the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon and investigated war crimes linked to senior military commanders during the Kosovo conflict.
A long road to accountability
The move follows the 2021 release of a final report by The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The commission documented widespread state-sanctioned violence, including enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. It specifically recommended that those most responsible for these acts face criminal prosecution to prevent a culture of impunity.
While the TRRC has begun issuing compensation to victims, many survivors maintain that financial restitution cannot replace the need for legal justice. Among the most high-profile cases identified by the commission are the 2004 murder of journalist Deyda Hydara and the execution of over 50 West African migrants by government security forces.
Some perpetrators have already faced consequences abroad under the principle of universal jurisdiction. Former members of the "Junglers," a paramilitary death squad linked to the Jammeh regime, have been convicted and jailed in the United States and Germany. However, the creation of Hackett's office marks the first significant attempt to handle these trials within The Gambian judicial system.
Former President Jammeh remains in exile in Equatorial Guinea. He refused to cooperate with the TRRC during its investigative phase and continues to deny any wrongdoing. His 22-year rule ended in 2017 after he lost a presidential election and was forced to step down following the intervention of regional military forces.
