Gov’t pushing to establish hybrid court: Justice Minister
Speaking during a recent appearance on State of Affairs on QTV, Jallow said the allocation is intended to support the effective prosecution of alleged human rights violations committed during former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule. He emphasised that a total of $150 million has been budgeted for transitional justice processes, with $60 million specifically required for justice and accountability components, much of which remains unfunded. “We have challenges and these cost money. We budgeted $150 million, and for the justice and accountability components we need about $60 million, which is largely not funded,” Jallow said. “Meanwhile, for the Office of the Special Prosecutor, we currently estimate that we would need $2.5 million per annum.” Jallow further stated that, despite some funding secured for the Special Prosecutor’s office, the government is mobilising additional resources to establish a hybrid court recommended by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The minister also highlighted staffing challenges within the Ministry of Justice, noting difficulties in retaining legal professionals. “We have a lot of private legal practitioners who are qualified to become prosecutors, but many choose private practice over public service,” he stated. “One of the challenges is staff leaving. We are not able to retain lawyers for long.” He added that the position of Director of Public Prosecutions has remained vacant for several years due to a lack of suitable candidates willing to take up the role. “I would be happy to appoint a Gambian as Director of Public Prosecutions. The appointment is done by the president, but the position has been vacant for two to three years,” Jallow said. Jallow further explained that the Special Prosecutor will have the mandate to prosecute individuals alleged to have committed human rights violations during Jammeh’s rule. He said the office will have discretion to pursue cases involving individuals recommended for prosecution by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), and that the government will facilitate the prosecution of suspects located abroad if necessary. This is part of The Gambia’s effort to address human rights abuses from the Jammeh era through the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission process.
Black News 
Speaking during a recent appearance on State of Affairs on QTV, Jallow said the allocation is intended to support the effective prosecution of alleged human rights violations committed during former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
He emphasised that a total of $150 million has been budgeted for transitional justice processes, with $60 million specifically required for justice and accountability components, much of which remains unfunded.
“We have challenges and these cost money. We budgeted $150 million, and for the justice and accountability components we need about $60 million, which is largely not funded,” Jallow said. “Meanwhile, for the Office of the Special Prosecutor, we currently estimate that we would need $2.5 million per annum.”
Jallow further stated that, despite some funding secured for the Special Prosecutor’s office, the government is mobilising additional resources to establish a hybrid court recommended by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The minister also highlighted staffing challenges within the Ministry of Justice, noting difficulties in retaining legal professionals.
“We have a lot of private legal practitioners who are qualified to become prosecutors, but many choose private practice over public service,” he stated. “One of the challenges is staff leaving. We are not able to retain lawyers for long.”
He added that the position of Director of Public Prosecutions has remained vacant for several years due to a lack of suitable candidates willing to take up the role.
“I would be happy to appoint a Gambian as Director of Public Prosecutions. The appointment is done by the president, but the position has been vacant for two to three years,” Jallow said.
Jallow further explained that the Special Prosecutor will have the mandate to prosecute individuals alleged to have committed human rights violations during Jammeh’s rule.
He said the office will have discretion to pursue cases involving individuals recommended for prosecution by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), and that the government will facilitate the prosecution of suspects located abroad if necessary.
This is part of The Gambia’s effort to address human rights abuses from the Jammeh era through the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission process.
