At the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held
in Abuja, Nigeria, on 15 December 2024, a landmark decision was made to establish the Special
Tribunal for The Gambia. This Decision also included the adoption of the Statute for the Tribunal,
which will ensure justice and accountability for gross human rights violations committed between
July 1994 and January 2017.
This historic development marks a significant step forward for The Gambia, the region, and the
international community. It is the first time ECOWAS has partnered with a member state to
establish an internationalized tribunal to prosecute crimes of such gravity committed within a
member state’s territory.
Background
In 2018, the Government of The Gambia established the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations
Commission (TRRC) to investigate and document gross human rights violations committed during
this period. The TRRC collected extensive testimonies from victims, witnesses, and perpetrators,
and in its November 2021 report, recommended reparations, institutional reforms, and the
prosecution of individuals bearing the greatest responsibility for these atrocities.
Recognizing that some crimes, such as torture, cruel treatment, and other
international crimes were not adequately addressed under domestic law, the Government of The
Gambians sought to establish an internationalized tribunal. In October 2022, The Gambia formally
proposed a partnership with ECOWAS to create a Special Tribunal that integrates both domestic
and international legal frameworks to ensure accountability and justice for victims.
Structure and Mandate of the Special Tribunal
The Special Tribunal for The Gambia will be an independent, sui generis institution, combining
elements of both domestic and international law. Its structure will include Gambian, ECOWAS
Source: Ministry of Justice,The Gambia