By Abdoulie John
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow, has refused to clarify whether the government will strike plea bargains with members of former President Yahya Jammeh’s notorious “Junglers” kill squad, leaving the public in continued suspense.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo, Jallow deflected questions about potential deals, saying the decision now rests entirely with the newly appointed Special Prosecutor, a British Mr. Martins Hackett.
“It is up to the Special Prosecutor to decide what to do,” Jallow told reporters.
The appointment of British national Martin Hackett as Special Prosecutor has raised expectations for accountability following the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), where more than 300 witnesses testified. Among them were several self-confessed “Junglers” who admitted to carrying out arbitrary arrests, summary executions, and enforced disappearances on the direct orders of Jammeh.
Minister Jallow acknowledged that prosecutors may need to explore plea bargaining to resolve complex criminal cases efficiently, but stressed that any such moves would be at the discretion of the Special Prosecutor.
Four prominent former Junglers — Omar A. Jallow, Malick Jatta, Amadou Badjie, and Pa Ousmane Sanneh — who appeared before the TRRC, are widely seen as prime candidates for plea agreements. While some observers argue these men could provide valuable testimony and predictability in prosecutions, others fear they may demand full immunity or freedom in exchange for cooperation.
The minister also addressed concerns over witness protection, stating that the security of key individuals would be a top priority as legal proceedings advance.
“Upon assuming office, the Special Prosecutor will have to address this fascinating issue of witness protection,” Jallow said.
The comments come amid growing public demands for justice over the human rights abuses committed during Jammeh’s 22-year rule. Many Gambians fear that without strong guarantees, key witnesses could be intimidated or silenced, undermining the entire accountability process.
As Hackett prepares to take up his role, the fate of the Junglers and the broader quest for justice remain uncertain. The coming months are expected to reveal whether plea deals will be pursued and under what conditions, as The Gambia continues its delicate transition from dictatorship to democratic accountability.
