The conviction in the United States of a member of a disbanded Gambian hitsquad that killed and tortured political opponents on orders of ex-president Yahya Jammeh has given hope for justice to victims of human rights violations in his 22–year rule.
Michael Sang Correa, a former member of the notorious ‘Junglers’, was convicted in Denver, Colorado in April for his role in the torture of several Gambians accused of participating in a 2006 foiled coup reportedly masterminded by ex–military chief Colonel Ndure Cham. Cham was later arrested in 2013 and was killed by the Junglers.
Though Correa was charged under a torture law and could not be prosecuted for murder, a daughter of Colonel Cham said his conviction has given her hope that Jammeh and all those involved in his father’s execution will face justice someday.
“This verdict has given us hope that justice delayed is not justice denied. I remain hopeful that someday, all my father’s killers will face justice. We are not giving up.” said Kaddy Cham, Ndure Cham’s daughter.
In 2019, the Gambia government established a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission which investigated the human rights violations of the former president Jammeh. In one of his hearings, an ex–army sergeant who was also part of the ‘Junglers’ – Omar Jallow– confessed his role in the killing of Ndure Cham. Colonel Cham was strangled to death on Jammeh’s orders, according to Jallow.
“My father had nine children. Before he was killed, my siblings and I lived a happy and comfortable life. He loved us deeply and did everything he could to protect our happiness. He was the backbone of our family.”
But his death marked a painful beginning for his family, Kaddy explained. “After his death, everything changed. Our family was torn apart. My mother, overwhelmed with grief, could not meet all our needs on her own. We had to change schools, and at one point, some of us were sent to live with relatives which was not easy. The pain of losing him was made worse by the struggles that followed.”
Giant step towards ending impunity
Michael Sang Correa’s conviction by a U.S. court has drawn strong reactions from civil society organisations, who hail the verdict as a long-awaited step toward justice for victims of the former regime.
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, EFSCRJ, a Gambian human rights organisation dedicated to the protection and promotion of rights and justice, described the verdict as a “landmark moment with profound legal, political and symbolic significance”.
“Correa’s conviction is a major step toward breaking The Gambia’s cycle of impunity. While it doesn’t undo the suffering, it proves that justice can be achieved even if delayed.”
In a message to The Republic, EFSCJ said the verdict has shifted focus on the efforts of the Gambian authorities in implementing the recommendations of the truth commission.
“We want to use the opportunity presented by this case just like the ones before in the cases of Ousman Sonko and Bai Lowe, to call on the Gambia Government to expedite the process of justice and accountability in a cost-effective manner… If there is anything to learn from the Michael, Ousman Sonko and Bai Lowe cases, it is that human rights violations, abuse of power and disregard of the law shall not last. Sooner or later there shall be a day of reckoning. As a body, we are therefore documenting decisions and actions by public institutions and officials today to ensure that tomorrow any evidence of misconduct, corruption, abuse and violations is presented for justice.”
The Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations, a group of victims, survivors and activists advocating for justice and truth, welcomed the verdict of Correa on all counts.
“It is a breath of fresh air in our pursuit of justice for the victims. This is what we hope to see, that perpetrators are facing justice even though it’s under Universal jurisdiction. Victims feel the impact of the justice served and that brings closure for all the years they had to be in the dark without knowing if they would be served justice or not.” said Jane Gomez, communications specialist at Victim Centre.
The Center commended the efforts of the United States Government for facilitating the participation of some of the victims from The Gambia, who served as witnesses in the trial.
“This goes to show that, no matter how rough the road, or how long the wait, justice will always prevail. For this milestone, we urge the victim community to not lose hope but to hold on to the glimmer of hope these trials are bringing.”
Correa was found guilty on all five counts by a jury and he now awaits his sentencing. He could be sentenced up to 120 years in jail.
