#Headlines

Gambia reacts to Michael Correa’s U.S. indictment

Jun 15, 2020, 12:16 PM | Article By: Arfang M.S Camara

The Ministry of Justice of The Gambia says it welcomes the indictment in the United States of Michael Sang Correa, a member of the alleged assassin team of former President Yahya Jammeh’s ‘junglers’ for crimes of torture committed in The Gambia.

“The Ministry is particularly grateful to the United States Government for its continued strong support to and cooperation with The Gambia Government especially in respect of the on-going transitional justice process,” the Ministry states in a statement on Friday.

“The indictment of Mr. Correa by U.S. authorities is an extraordinary legal milestone. It demonstrates that no matter where such crimes are committed, and wherever the culprits may be hiding, global accountability mechanisms will reach them, and that there is no hiding place for those who commit such crimes in today’s world.”

The government says it will continue to cooperate with U.S. authorities in Mr. Correa’s case, as well as in other active cases in the United States in which The Gambia Government has an interest.

“The Ministry also wishes to take this opportunity to renew its strong encouragement for those who are still at large to take advantage of the TRRC process while that window remains open.”
“The alternative is to face certain prosecution for your crimes and there will be no hiding place or sanctuary for you. You can only run but you cannot hide forever, and you will be caught,” the ministry warns.
Several human rights organisations including Human Rights Watch and the Swiss-based Trial International have welcomed the move taken by the United States government.