Adama Makasuba
Michael Sang Correa, a former Gambian soldier and alleged member of the death squad under former President Yahya Jammeh, has been convicted on six counts of gross human rights violations. These include conspiracy to commit torture and direct involvement in the torture of multiple individuals.
If sentenced, the 45-year-old Correa faces a potential prison term of 120 years, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years.
He is the fourth high-profile figure to be tried and found guilty for crimes committed during Jammeh’s 22-year rule, which was marked by severe human rights abuses.
This verdict represents a significant milestone in the rare prosecution of international crimes in the U.S. under the Torture Act, although the sentencing has yet to be determined.
Human rights advocates are also urging for the prosecution of all individuals implicated in egregious human rights violations under Jammeh’s regime, including Jammeh himself, who has been living in exile since 2017.
