Abubakar Tambedou, Former Minister of Justice
EF Small Centre hereby joins the Gambia Government in its nomination of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr M Tambadou as a candidate for the position of Judge in the International Court of Justice. Not only being a Gambian, but also, we support Tambadou’s nomination because of his role and contributions in the ending of dictatorship in the Gambia.
Having served as the first Attorney General and Minister of Justice after the Dictatorship between 2017 and 2020, Tambadou pursued a determined and principled path in the transitional justice process of the Gambia. He undertook his assignment with a deep sense of purpose and commitment exemplified in the creation of critical institutions such as the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), the Truth, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission (TRRC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Furthermore, Mr. Tambadou provided immense cooperation and support to civil society which has culminated in the creation of the Access to Information Act 2021. During his tenure, he remained open and welcoming to victims, providing strong assurances that the recommendations of the TRRC would be fully implemented. We recall his historic declaration during the 2020 legal year celebration that Dictator Yahya Jammeh would be arrested and charged if he ever returned to the Gambia.
We support Tambadou’s nomination also because he gave a listening ear and space to the voices of citizens. We recall how in 2019 he withdrew the Criminal Offences Bill following public outcry on some of its provisions especially on ‘parental insult’. During his tenure, he had openly declared that no citizen should be charged with sedition. He actively participated in civil society forums and engaged with the media to share his views on the pertinent legal and human rights issues facing our society. We therefore urge the members of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to vote for Abubacarr Tambadou. We can vouch that Mr. Tambadou has the requisite qualifications for this job and has a demonstrated commitment to justice.
If elected, we urge and have no doubts that Mr. Tambadou will uphold the norms and standards of international law, human rights and the principle of sovereign equality of nations. The role of the International Court of Justice in maintaining global peace and society and the protection of human rights cannot be over-emphasized. As a candidate from the Global South which endured centuries of slavery and colonialism, we urge Tambadou to pursue the course of justice that would correct historical injustices and end impunity everywhere.
We wish to give our highest commendation to the candidacy of Abubacarr M Tambadou for Judge of the International Criminal Court.