Former paramilitary leader Sanna Manjang, once identified as the head of the “Junglers” unit, has appeared before a military court in The Gambia’s capital, Banjul. Manjang faces charges of deserting the armed forces, having allegedly fled the country in 2017 shortly after the end of President Yahya Jammeh’s 20-year authoritarian rule.

This trial represents a significant step in The Gambia’s ongoing efforts to achieve accountability for alleged atrocities committed during Jammeh’s tenure. The “Junglers” operated as an independent paramilitary group and have been accused by the United Nations of engaging in extrajudicial killings and torture.

Manjang is accused of being absent from his military duties for a continuous period of nine years with the intent to desert. He was apprehended in Senegal last November and subsequently repatriated to The Gambia a month later, leading to his current legal proceedings. This case follows a previous murder trial against Manjang that was dismissed in July due to difficulties in summoning witnesses.

The implications of Manjang’s trial extend beyond his individual accountability, touching upon the broader quest for justice for victims of the previous regime. His appearance in court signals a continued commitment by the current administration, led by President Adama Barrow, to address the legacy of human rights abuses.

Under Jammeh’s rule, the state was responsible for the deaths of an estimated 240 to 250 people, according to findings by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The commission also documented widespread abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and kidnappings. Several individuals linked to Jammeh’s regime and the Junglers have faced legal consequences abroad, with detentions and sentences in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.

Previously, Manjang had faced four murder charges, including his alleged involvement in the 2004 killing of journalist Deyda Hydara. He was also accused of personally decapitating one victim and killing two others. However, these charges were dropped in July, with authorities citing the inability to secure witness testimonies, some of whom were reportedly former members of the Junglers.

Following the dismissal of the murder charges, Manjang was indicted in a separate ongoing trial for the alleged assault of two other men. The military court’s proceedings for desertion will run concurrently with these other legal challenges.

The legal process against former associates of Yahya Jammeh continues internationally, with several individuals facing charges in foreign jurisdictions for crimes committed during the former president’s rule. These efforts underscore a global push to ensure perpetrators of severe human rights violations are brought to justice, regardless of their location.