Abubacarr M. Tambadou, former Gambian Justice Minister
By Buba Gagigo
The Government of The Gambia has nominated former Justice Minister, Abubacarr M. Tambadou, as a candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2026.
In a statement announcing the nomination, the government highlighted The Gambia’s significant contributions to international law and human rights advocacy, noting that no Gambian has ever served as a judge on the ICJ since its establishment in 1945.
“While The Gambia has greatly contributed to the development of international law and has become a leading voice for human rights around the world, it has never presented a candidate nor has a Gambian ever served as a Judge of this beacon of justice since its inception in 1945. The next round of elections in 2026 therefore provides The Gambia with a new opportunity to present a candidate for the first time in our history, and the government is pleased to announce its full support for the candidature of Mr Abubacarr M. Tambadou for election as a Judge of the International Court of Justice in 2026,” the statement read.
Mr. Tambadou served as The Gambia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice from 2017 to 2020. He currently holds the position of Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) at the United Nations, with the rank of Assistant Secretary-General, a role he assumed in July 2020 following his appointment by the UN Secretary-General.
Between 2003 and 2017, Tambadou worked as a prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), where he led successful prosecutions of high-profile figures for genocide and crimes against humanity. His notable cases include the prosecution of General Augustin Bizimungu, former Chief of Staff of the Rwandan Army, and the defense of the conviction of Colonel Théoneste Bagosora on appeal—Bagosora being widely regarded as the mastermind of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
If elected, Tambadou would become the first Gambian judge to serve on the ICJ.