The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice welcomes and commends the Government of The Gambia for the arrest of Junglers Sanna Manjang and Nuha Badgie. We express our profound relief that, at long last, meaningful steps are being taken to bring these notorious perpetrators of serious human rights violations to justice. This development provides immense psychological relief to victims, survivors, and affected families who have endured years of uncertainty, pain, and fear. The arrests reaffirm the principle that while justice may be delayed, it cannot be denied.
We urge the Government to take all urgent and necessary measures to ensure the speedy and credible prosecution of these individuals in accordance with due process and international fair trial standards. Justice must not only be done, but it must also be seen to be done.
While acknowledging this positive step, EFSCRJ remains concerned that many members of the Junglers hit-squad remain outside The Gambia. We note with interest the circumstances surrounding these recent arrests and call on the authorities to fully clarify the conditions under which they were apprehended, including their activities and intentions at the time. Gambian citizens have an undeniable right to full and accurate information on the aims, movements, and operations of these individuals who have long terrorized this country.
We further stress the need for the Government to strengthen collaboration with law enforcement authorities in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, where several Junglers are believed to be hiding. With the right level of coordinated action, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic engagement, we firmly believe that all remaining fugitives could have been arrested by now. Nine years after the fall of the dictatorship, The Gambia has lived far too long under the lingering shadow of these rogue operatives without closure or justice.
As we commend this important step, we remind the Government of its duty to keep the public regularly updated. Clear, timely, and transparent communication is essential to dispel fear, prevent misinformation, and maintain public confidence in the justice process. The path toward accountability must be clear, unshakeable, and sacrosanct.
EFSCRJ stands with the victims, survivors, and the Gambian people in the ongoing pursuit of truth, justice, and national healing.
2025 – The Year of Transparency and Accountability
