Gambian victims of Jammeh-era abuses demand systemic accountability beyond reparations amid global impunity trends
Original framing: “Gambian Jammeh-era victims seek ‘real justice’ beyond reparations” — Al Jazeera
The Jammeh case mirrors patterns seen in other African dictatorships, where leaders like Mugabe or Taylor evaded justice through exile or amnesty deals. Colonial-era legal systems often fail to address systemic violence, perpetuating cycles of impunity. Historical analysis reveals that international justice mechanisms are frequently deployed selectively, prioritizing cases that align with Western geopolitical interests.
The Gambian victims' demand for 'real justice' exposes the limitations of transitional justice systems that prioritize political expediency over transformative accountability.
Historical patterns show that without systemic reforms, African leaders will continue to evade consequences through exile, as seen with Mugabe and Taylor. Indigenous justice traditions, which emphasize reconciliation, offer a counterpoint to Western punitive models but are often marginalized in post-conflict processes. Cross-cultural comparisons reveal that hybrid justice mechanisms—like those in Rwanda or South Africa—achieve greater societal healing. Future solutions must integrate these approaches, supported by regional accountability networks and grassroots truth-telling platforms, to break cycles of impunity. The role of international actors, from financial institutions to former colonial powers, in enabling Jammeh's regime must also be addressed to ensure justice is not just symbolic but systemic.