The Alliance of Victim-Led Organizations (AVLO) has expressed deep concern following the Ministry of Justice’s decision to drop murder charges against Sanna Manjang, a former member of ex-President Yahya Jammeh’s notorious death squad known as the Junglers.
In a strongly worded statement, AVLO acknowledged that prosecutorial choices must be guided by evidence and legal strategy, but voiced “grave concern” about Manjang’s upcoming bail hearing scheduled for 28 July 2026. The group fears his potential release could retraumatize victims and survivors of human rights abuses committed during the Jammeh regime.
“Sanna Manjang was established by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) to have been a key member of the Junglers,” the statement read. The unit has been linked to some of the most serious violations of the Jammeh era, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
AVLO emphasized that while every accused person enjoys the presumption of innocence, the lived experiences of victims and survivors must not be overlooked. “The historical record of the Junglers, as documented through the TRRC’s findings, reveals a unit associated with some of the most serious violations committed during the Jammeh era,” it said. The organization warned that Manjang’s release could trigger significant physical, psychological, and emotional distress, undermining victims’ sense of security and discouraging participation in ongoing accountability processes.
The group urged prosecutors to present the court with all relevant information on risks associated with bail during the hearing. It also called for the urgent operationalization of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO), established specifically to handle complex Jammeh-era cases.
“AVLO remains committed to supporting victims, survivors, and affected communities as rights holders whose dignity, safety, and wellbeing must remain central to justice and accountability,” the statement added.
In conclusion, AVLO appealed to all state institutions to remain resolute in the fight against impunity. “Delivering justice for past human rights violations is essential for restoring public trust, strengthening the rule of law, and securing a peaceful democratic future for The Gambia.”
The development has reignited debate about the pace and direction of transitional justice efforts more than a decade after Jammeh’s ouster.
