The Gambia has appointed British barrister Martin Hackett as its first special prosecutor to pursue cases linked to human rights abuses committed during the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday, marks a significant milestone in the country’s long-running efforts to secure justice for victims of a regime widely accused of repression, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Jammeh’s rule ended in 2017 when he went into exile following a shock electoral defeat nearly a decade ago. Hackett will head a newly established prosecutorial office mandated to handle cases arising from that period. His role is expected to build on the work of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, which was tasked with documenting abuses and recommending accountability measures.
In its final report submitted in 2021 to President Adama Barrow, the commission identified key perpetrators and called for their prosecution, alongside reparations for victims. It warned that failure to act decisively could entrench a culture of impunity. While phased compensation payments have begun—particularly for victims affected in the aftermath of the 1994 coup that brought Jammeh to power—many survivors continue to prioritize justice over financial redress.
Among the most high-profile cases cited by the commission are the 2004 killing of journalist Deyda Hydara and the execution of more than 50 West African migrants accused of plotting a coup. Some perpetrators have already faced justice abroad under the principle of universal jurisdiction, including members of the feared paramilitary unit known as the “Junglers,” with convictions secured in courts in Germany and the United States.
Hackett brings extensive international legal experience, having served at the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon and contributed to investigations into war crimes during the Kosovo conflict. His appointment is widely viewed as a decisive step towards strengthening domestic accountability mechanisms. Attorney General Dawda Jallow indicated that Hackett has been given a four-year mandate, following a competitive selection process.
Jammeh, now aged 60, has consistently denied wrongdoing and is believed to be living in exile in Equatorial Guinea. His departure from power came after regional leaders intervened and deployed troops to enforce the outcome of the December 2016 election, which he initially refused to concede.