The Gambia woke up to historic news on January 8. Ousmane Sonko, former senior dignitary of the Yahya Jammeh dictatorship, is currently on trial in Switzerland for a series of alleged crimes against humanity committed between 2000 and 2016. This landmark trial sends a strong signal in the quest for justice for the victims of abuses carried out for more than two decades under Jammeh’s reign.
The people of Gambia lived in terror for 22 years, facing torture, massacres by death squads known as “Junglers”, extrajudicial executions, rapes and enforced disappearances. The dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh established a climate of fear and repression that affected every Gambian, whether political opponent, journalist or ordinary citizen.
Since the fall of the dictator in 2016, The Gambia has been in search of reconstruction. A “Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation” commission was set up in January 2017 to shed light on the crimes committed during the Jammeh regime and prosecute those responsible. The trial of Ousmane Sonko, former Gambian interior minister, is an important step in this process. He is accused of committing various crimes against humanity, including torture and rape, during his term in office from 2000 to 2016.
This historic trial opens the door to a possible appearance of Yahya Jammeh himself, mainly responsible for the years of terror in Gambia. The victims are impatiently waiting for justice to be done and for them to finally be able to turn the dark page of their history.
This trial is attracting worldwide attention as it illustrates The Gambia’s desire to confront its past and ensure that those responsible for crimes against humanity are held to account. It is also an opportunity for the international community to show its support for The Gambia in its quest for justice and reconciliation.
But this trial also marks a crucial stage in the evolution of Gambian society. By trying those responsible for atrocities committed under Jammeh’s dictatorship, The Gambia is sending a strong message: crimes against humanity will not go unpunished, and justice will prevail.
It is essential to emphasize that this trial is not only part of the Gambian context, but that it has a much broader scope. He recalls that crimes against humanity know no borders and that justice must be exercised wherever they occur. This trial is a victory for human rights and a step forward in the fight against impunity.
In conclusion, the ongoing trial for crimes against humanity in The Gambia is a historic event that demonstrates the country’s will and determination to confront its past and ensure that those responsible for atrocities are held to account. It is also a powerful reminder that justice knows no boundaries and that crimes against humanity must be judged wherever they occur. The Gambia is charting a path toward reconciliation and reparation, and this trial marks a crucial step in that journey.