By Omar Bah
The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected a draft decision to establish a special tribunal for The Gambia and adopt the tribunal’s statute under the supervision of ECOWAS.
During the first ordinary session of 2024 in Abuja, the 6th Parliament reached the Resolution marked ECW/PARL/RES.004/JULY/2024 on Friday, rejecting the draft decision. They deliberated on a report submitted by a joint committee. They decided that while The Gambia has the sovereign right to set up a tribunal to try past crimes, human rights abuses, and atrocities, ECOWAS should not be part of the tribunal in the country.
The Speaker, Memounatou Ibrahima, was requested to transmit the Resolution to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, for onward transmission to the chairman of the Council of Ministers, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar.
The Parliament’s decision is based on the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) established by The Gambia in 2017 to investigate and document human rights abuses committed in the country between July 1994 and January 2017, particularly during the reign of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Parliament has explained its decision. They pointed out that the draft decision must be submitted within the required time frame. They have also emphasized the need for proper consultation in the adoption process of community texts. Additionally, the Parliament has expressed concerns about the potential impact of establishing the special tribunal under the leadership of ECOWAS on peace and security in The Gambia and the region.
In conclusion, Parliament has made its stance clear. They recognize The Gambia’s right to establish a special tribunal to prosecute crimes and serious human rights violations committed on its territory between 22 July 1994 and 21 January 2017. However, they have overruled the idea of establishing the said special tribunal under the leadership of ECOWAS.
