Attorney General Cites Funding Constraints in Implementing Post-TRRC Justice Plan

By Makutu Manneh

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow, has identified inadequate funding as a significant challenge to the implementation of the government’s post–Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) justice plan.

Speaking in an interview on QTV, Jallow disclosed that the government had projected a budget of approximately $150 million for the overall implementation of the plan, including about $60 million earmarked specifically for the justice and accountability component. However, he noted that much of this funding has yet to be secured.

He further explained that the Office of the Special Prosecutor is estimated to require around $2.5 million annually. While some financial support has been obtained, broader resource mobilization efforts are ongoing.

“We are still mobilizing resources for the hybrid court. So resources are not all available, but we are moving,” Jallow stated.

Addressing concerns about prosecuting alleged perpetrators of human rights violations from the era of former President Yahya Jammeh who are currently residing abroad, Jallow emphasized that such decisions fall within the mandate of the Special Prosecutor.

“The Special Prosecutor will determine who to prosecute and when. If the need arises to repatriate any suspects abroad, the state will facilitate that process,” he said.

Jallow also confirmed that the Special Prosecutor is already in The Gambia and is expected to be sworn in by the end of the week. He indicated that while the office is operational, efforts are underway to fully establish it with the necessary infrastructure and staffing.

“So effectively it is operational, but operational in the fullest sense for him to have his own office and full complement of staff. We are working on that, but the prosecutor himself is in office and work has started,” he added.

The Minister clarified that the special prosecutor’s mandate is strictly limited to cases recommended for prosecution by the TRRC.

“Nothing outside of that. I think about 68 individuals were recommended to be prosecuted by the truth commission,” Jallow said.