Africa-Press – Gambia. The Government of The Gambia has issued a statement clarifying its position following the recent announcement by former President Yahya Jammeh about his intention to return home after years in exile.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government said former President Jammeh would face justice if he returned home.
While the Constitution guarantees every Gambian, including Jammeh, the right to return to the country, the government stressed that this does not exempt anyone from accountability for alleged crimes. The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) has implicated Jammeh in serious human rights violations, including murder, torture, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence.
“The Government takes these findings with utmost seriousness,” the statement said. “If and when Mr. Jammeh returns, robust legal processes will be activated in line with Gambian law, including investigation, arrest, and prosecution, while guaranteeing due process and fair trial standards.”
The government also addressed claims about a Memorandum of Understanding or promises of immunity for Jammeh, clarifying that no such agreement exists. The only related document was an unsigned Joint Declaration by the African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations, which was a diplomatic effort to secure a peaceful transition and conferred no immunity from prosecution.
“As a sovereign nation, The Gambia retains the right and duty to prosecute serious crimes within its territory,” the government said. “No political understanding, signed or unsigned, can override this fundamental obligation.”
The Government reassured victims and their families that their pursuit of justice remains central to the nation’s reconciliation and reform process. Implementation of the TRRC’s recommendations, as endorsed in the Government’s White Paper, underscores the country’s ongoing commitment to accountability, justice, and the prevention of future abuses.
The statement concluded by affirming the government’s dedication to building a just, peaceful, and democratic society for all Gambians, ensuring the rule of law is upheld and impunity is never tolerated.
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