In a stunning diplomatic reversal, The Gambia has withdrawn its support for former Justice Minister Abubacarr Marie Tambadou’s candidacy for a judgeship at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a highly placed diplomatic source confirmed.
The decision, reportedly driven by intense pressure from Nigeria to unify African support behind a single continental candidate, has ignited controversy in The Gambia, raising questions about regional politics, domestic accountability, and the legacy of Tambadou’s tenure.
Tambadou, who served as Gambia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice from 2017 to 2020, was nominated in February 2025 as the nation’s first-ever candidate for the ICJ, the United Nations’ principal judicial organ in The Hague. His candidacy was initially celebrated as a landmark for The Gambia’s growing stature in international justice, given Tambadou’s pivotal role in advancing transitional justice after the fall of former dictator Yahya Jammeh and his subsequent work with the United Nations. However, the government’s abrupt decision to retract its endorsement, announced without official explanation, has sparked widespread criticism.
High-level diplomatic sources told The Alkamba Times that Nigeria, a regional powerhouse, urged The Gambia to abandon Tambadou’s candidacy to prevent splitting Africa’s vote in the ICJ elections slated for November 2026 and endorse Nigeria’s candidate Femi Elias, who is also vying for a high-level judge role.
“It is true,” a source close to the matter stated. “Nigeria prevailed on them to rally behind their candidate and not present another from the continent. They succumbed to the pressure and accepted.” This aligns with the African Union’s strategy to consolidate support for a single candidate, thereby strengthening the continent’s chances of securing a seat on the ICJ bench in 2027. Yet, in The Gambia, the move has been criticized as a capitulation to external influence, sidelining a qualified candidate.
The withdrawal has also reopened wounds over Tambadou’s domestic record, particularly his alleged role in the controversial sale of assets seized from Yahya Jammeh. In April 2025, a local news publication, The Republic published an investigative report, “The Assets of Gambia’s Former Dictator Go for a Song,” accusing Tambadou of decisions that the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) labeled as “tantamount to acts of corruption, abuse of office, and unethical conduct.” The report led the EFSCRJ to retract its support for Tambadou’s ICJ bid in May 2025, demanding greater transparency.
Public outrage over the asset sale has fueled protests across Banjul and beyond. Demonstrators, including civil society groups and opposition supporters, have demanded accountability for the handling of Jammeh’s assets, which were intended to fund reparations and national development.
The controversy has cast a shadow over Tambadou’s candidacy, with some arguing it undermines his suitability for a global judicial role.
Tambadou, in a statement on May 3, 2025, denied any wrongdoing, defending his actions as Attorney General. However, the government’s silence on both the asset sale and the withdrawal has fueled speculation that the decision may also reflect an attempt to distance itself from the scandal.
A diplomat speaking anonymously to TAT said: “The government owes Gambians an explanation. “This is not just about Nigeria’s influence—it’s about our nation’s integrity.”
The timing of the withdrawal compounds existing political tensions, following the National Assembly’s rejection of the 2024 Draft Constitution on July 7, 2025, which is seen as a blow to democratic reforms. Observers warn that the decision risks further eroding public trust in the government’s commitment to justice and transparency.
As The Gambia grapples with this diplomatic and domestic fallout, attention turns to Nigeria’s candidate and Africa’s prospects at the ICJ.
