By Adama Makasuba
Former Gambian interior minister Ousman Sonko goes on trial in Switzerland on Monday (8 January), accused of crimes against humanity committed under the regime of ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh.
Sonko is accused of “having supported, participated in, and failed to prevent systematic and generalized attacks as part of the repression carried out by the Gambian security forces against all opponents of the regime.” The charges span 16 years and include nine “counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, and torture.”
There are ten complainants in the case, who include eight “direct victims” and the daughter of a person who died in detention, according to Geneva-based NGO Trial International. He denies all the charges, according to his lawyer, Philippe Currat.
Sonko has been in custody since his arrest in Switzerland in January 2017 after applying for asylum following his sacking as a minister. The trial in Switzerland is not the first to be held outside of The Gambia dealing with Jammeh-era crimes. A verdict is not expected before March. If found guilty, he faces life imprisonment.
In late November, a German court sentenced Bai Lowe, a former State Guard driver, to life in prison over his participation in a death squad that assassinated opponents of Jammeh.
References
Swiss Charge Gambia Ex-Minister with Crimes Against Humanity – Africa Security News Wire. https://africasecuritynewswire.com/governance/2023/04/18/swiss-charge-gambia-ex-minister-with-crimes-against-humanity
Fry, E.G., “Human Rights News – International Criminal Court (ICC).” 2012, https://core.ac.uk/download/303662246.pdf.
