Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambian government has appointed a British barrister, Mr. Martin Hackett, as Special Prosecutor to lead investigations and prosecutions of crimes committed during the regime of former president Yahya Jammeh.
The Minister of Justice, Mr. Dawda Jallow, announced the appointment at a press briefing held Wednesday at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre.
He recalled that in November 2021, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) recommended the prosecution of 69 individuals for crimes committed in The Gambia between July 1994 and January 2017, including acts amounting to terrorism.
According to the minister, 393 witnesses testified before the TRRC, most of whom were victims or relatives of victims, recounting cases of torture, murder, enforced disappearances, rape, sexual violence and other forms of cruel and degrading treatment.
Mr. Jallow said the government accepted the TRRC recommendations in its White Paper and established a Special Accountability Mechanism (SAM), which includes the creation of a Special Prosecutor’s Office.
“I am honoured to announce, on behalf of the Government of The Gambia, that Mr. Martin Hackett has been appointed as Special Prosecutor to support the investigations and prosecutions arising from the TRRC findings,” he said.
The minister described Mr. Hackett as an experienced British barrister with over 30 years of expertise in criminal and international law, particularly in complex cases involving war crimes, terrorism and organised crime.
He previously served as Senior Trial Counsel at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, where he led investigations and prosecutions related to international terrorism. He also headed the War Crimes Division in the Special Prosecution Office in Kosovo, overseeing cases involving war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Mr. Jallow said the Special Prosecutor will operate independently and will not be subject to the direction or control of any authority in the exercise of his functions.
He will determine which cases are to be prosecuted before the Special Tribunal or the Special Criminal Division of the High Court, in accordance with the Special Prosecutor’s Office Act 2024.
The Special Prosecutor is mandated to investigate serious human rights violations and other crimes committed between July 1994 and January 2017, using methods permitted under applicable law.
He will also initiate prosecutions for cases recommended by the TRRC and accepted by the government, as well as any additional cases uncovered during investigations.
In addition, Mr. Hackett is required to provide regular updates to the public and relevant authorities on the progress of investigations and prosecutions.
He will establish programmes to protect and support victims and witnesses, and develop guidelines for handling sensitive testimony, particularly involving vulnerable persons.
The Special Prosecutor will also design public outreach and communication strategies to enhance transparency and build public confidence in the process.
As part of his reporting obligations, he will submit annual reports to the President, the National Assembly, ECOWAS, the Attorney General, and other designated oversight bodies.
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