Ousman Sonko, former Gambian Interior Minister, has been convicted of crimes against humanity by Switzerland’s top criminal court. He has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in repression under ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh. Sonko, who served as Interior Minister from 2006 to 2016, faced charges including homicide, torture, and false imprisonment. Prosecutors were seeking a life sentence for Sonko, who was found guilty of crimes including homicide, torture, and false imprisonment. The trial was hailed as a significant application of the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows for the prosecution of serious crimes committed abroad.
The trial of Ousman Sonko began in January and was seen as a landmark in universal jurisdiction. The verdict could send a message to Yahya Jammeh, who remains in exile in Equatorial Guinea. Sonko, who applied for asylum in Switzerland in 2016, was arrested and indicted for crimes committed during Jammeh’s 16-year rule in Gambia. The crimes alleged against Sonko included supporting, participating in, and failing to stop attacks against opponents, in violation of international law. The conviction of Sonko is seen as a significant step towards justice for the victims of Jammeh’s regime.
Sonko was convicted of homicide, torture, and false imprisonment as crimes against humanity, with rape charges against him being dropped. The trial was attended by individuals who had been victims of Sonko’s actions, and it demonstrated that even high-ranking officials are not above the reach of justice. Human rights advocates see Sonko’s conviction as a pivotal moment in holding those responsible for mass atrocities accountable. Ousman Sonko is one of the highest-ranking former officials to be put on trial in Europe under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
Ousman Sonko was appointed as the commander of the State Guard in 2003 and made inspector general of the Gambian police in 2005. He was removed as Interior Minister in 2016, a few months before the end of Jammeh’s government, and sought asylum in Europe. Sonko is not to be confused with leading Senegalese politician Ousmane Sonko. This verdict against Sonko marks a significant milestone in the fight against impunity and a historic success for universal jurisdiction in Switzerland and Europe. It sends a clear message that even former ministers can be prosecuted and held accountable for their actions.
Overall, the conviction of Ousman Sonko is seen as a victory for justice and accountability. It represents a crucial step towards holding perpetrators of crimes against humanity responsible for their actions. The trial was seen as a watershed moment in universal jurisdiction, allowing for the prosecution of serious crimes committed abroad. This landmark verdict underscores the principle that no one is above the reach of justice, even high-ranking officials who may have participated in mass atrocities. The conviction of Sonko may also bring hope to the victims and families of those impacted by crimes committed during Jammeh’s brutal regime in Gambia.
