Gambia to investigate fugitive ex-dictator Jammeh for abuses

Gambia’s government is setting up a special prosecutor’s office to investigate for severe human rights violations and potentially charge former dictator Yahya Jammeh, who fled into exile in 2017 after 22 years in power.

Wednesday’s government announcement came in response to recommendations from a truth, reconciliation and reparations commission that Jammeh face prosecution for murder, torture and sexual violence while he ruled from 1994 to 2017.

The commission’s report — presented to President Adama Barrow and made public in December — was based on years of witness testimonies.

Gambia’s Justice Minister Dawda A. Jallow said Wednesday’s move is “an important milestone” in the country’s transitional justice process. The announcement came in the form of a 173-page white paper that made clear that the government was accepting most of the commission’s more than 260 recommendations to prosecute perpetrators of human rights violations during Jammeh’s time in power.

The document said the