The GBA describes Tambadou as someone who would achieve great success and prominence as prosecutor of international crimes, while NHRC praises his expertise, experience and integrity, noting he would greatly contribute to the work of the ICJ in upholding international justice and the rule of law.
The two statements read below:
GBA statement
It is with immense pride that the Gambia Bar Association (GBA) declares its support for and endorsement of the candidature of Mr Abubacarr Marie Tambadou for election as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague, Netherlands.
Mr Tambadou is a valued senior member of the GBA who, after his enrolment as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of The Gambia in 1999, began his legal career as State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice. He rose through the ranks before proceeding to take up position as prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha Tanzania in 2003 for almost 2 decades. There, he would achieve great success and prominence as prosecutor of international crimes.
In 2017, Mr Tambadou returned to the Gambia to take up appointment as Attorney General and Minister for Justice at the beginning of a critical period in the Gambia’s transition back to democratic rule. As the Attorney General and Minister for Justice in our nascent democracy, he was instrumental in laying the foundation for the legal framework for the transitional Justice process that birthed the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission, the Janneh Anti Corruption Commission and the Constitutional Review Commission. As Attorney General, he also instituted and led the legal team in landmark case of The Gambia V Myanmar for the latter’s treatment of the Rohingya at the International Court of Justice in November 2019, a case which established new international law precedents and jurisprudence. Mr Tambadou’s deep understanding of both national and international law coupled with his wealth of experience in the practice of law, not only contributed to the advancement of the legal profession but also strengthened the protection of human rights and the principles of justice both in the Gambia and abroad.
He is currently the Registrar of the Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), at the level of Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations.
Mr Tambadou’s consistent demonstration of unyielding commitment to the rule of law, work ethic, profound legal acumen, and exceptional leadership qualities, and passion for justice makes him an outstanding candidate for election as a judge of the International Court of Justice, one who we believe, will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and credibility of the Court. The Gambia Bar Association wishes him all the very best.
NHRC statement
Statement in Support of the Nomination of Mr. Abubacarr M. Tambadou as Judge at the International Court of Justice (2027-2036)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of The Gambia proudly lends its voice and full support to the nomination of Mr. Abubacarr M. Tambadou by the Republic of The Gambia for election as Judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the term 2027-2036. Mr. Tambadou’s distinguished career in law, justice, and human rights advocacy makes him an exceptional candidate whose expertise, experience and integrity will greatly contribute to the work of the ICJ in upholding international justice and the rule of law.
Mr. Tambadou’s legal career spans over two decades, with extensive experience in both national and international legal systems.
As Attorney General and Minister for Justice of The Gambia from 2017 to 2020, Mr. Tambadou exhibited remarkable leadership in guiding the country through its post-authoritarian transitional justice process. He played a pivotal role in establishing key institutions, including the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), the Janneh Commission, the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Notably, he was instrumental in ensuring that the NHRC’s founding legislation fully aligned with the UN Paris Principles, granting it an independent and broad mandate to promote and protect fundamental human rights with quasi-judicial powers. These initiatives, which he spearheaded, underscore his deep commitment to justice, transparency, and human rights protection. Under his leadership, The Gambia made significant strides in addressing past human rights violations, ensuring accountability, and strengthening the rule of law.
At the international level, Mr. Tambadou has significantly influenced the global human rights and justice landscape. He is widely recognized for his pivotal role in holding Myanmar accountable for genocide against the Rohingya people. As Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee on Accountability for Human Rights Violations Against the Rohingya in 2019, he successfully encouraged the Government of The Gambia to file a lawsuit at the ICJ in 2019 against Myanmar under the 1948 Genocide Convention. This historic case brought global attention to the plight of the Rohingya and reaffirmed the role of international justice in addressing gross human rights violations.
In his current role as Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), Mr. Tambadou is the highest authority in the Registry, overseeing legal, administrative, policy, and diplomatic matters of the institution. His extensive experience as an international prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) between 2003 and 2017 further underscores his deep expertise in international criminal law. His contributions to landmark cases at the ICTR, including the prosecution of key figures responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, have played a crucial role in shaping international jurisprudence on genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Mr. Tambadou’s lifelong commitment to justice, accountability, and human rights is evident in his outstanding work at both national and international levels. His tireless efforts to strengthen the rule of law and ensure justice for victims of grave human rights violations have earned him global recognition, including being named among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020 and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2021.
The NHRC firmly believes that Mr. Tambadou’s exceptional legal acumen, deep commitment to justice, and extensive experience in international law makes him an exceptionally ideal candidate for the ICJ. His presence on the Bench will not only enhance the Court’s standing, credibility and ability to address critical issues of international law but also reinforce The Gambia’s legacy as a champion of human rights and justice on the global stage.
Accordingly, the NHRC strongly endorses the nomination of Mr. Abubacarr M. Tambadou and urges all Member States to support his candidacy for election as Judge at the International Court of Justice for the term 2027-2036.
