The Gambian government has launched the candidacy of Hon. Justice Veronic Wright for election as a judge of the International Criminal Court, marking the country’s latest effort to strengthen its presence in international justice institutions.

The launch took place on 19 June at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Sering Modou Njie.

Speaking at the event, Minister Njie described Justice Wright’s candidacy as a reflection of The Gambia’s commitment to international law, accountability and the fight against impunity.

He thanked President Adama Barrow and the government for endorsing her candidature, saying it demonstrated the country’s support for international judicial institutions tasked with addressing the world’s most serious crimes.

The minister also highlighted The Gambia’s growing profile in international justice, citing the country’s genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, as well as its engagement within regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union.

He further referenced ongoing efforts to deliver justice and accountability for victims of human rights abuses identified by the country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

Minister Njie urged member states to support Justice Wright’s candidacy, describing her as a jurist with extensive experience in international criminal law, accountability mechanisms and judicial service at the highest levels of The Gambia’s courts.

Justice Wright, in her remarks, thanked the government for its endorsement and outlined her vision for the court if elected.

She said she envisions an International Criminal Court that places victims and survivors at the centre of its work, including survivors of sexual violence and children affected by armed conflict.

“The legitimacy of every judgment rests upon the fairness of the process that produced it,” she said.

The event was attended by diplomats, legal advisers, election officers and representatives of states party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court.

Justice Wright’s candidacy will now be considered by member states as part of the process to elect new judges to the court.

By Adama Makasuba