Gambia Officially Launches Justice Veronic Wright’s Candidacy for the International Criminal Court

Photo: Veronic Wright, Others.

The Government of The Gambia on Friday formally launched the candidacy of Hon. Justice Veronic Wright for election as a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in a ceremony held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The event, attended by diplomats and international legal experts, marked a significant step in The Gambia’s ongoing commitment to international justice and accountability.

The official announcement was made by the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Gambians Abroad, H.E Sering Modou Njie.

In his remarks, Minister Njie expressed gratitude to President Adama Barrow and the Gambian government for their endorsement of Justice Wright’s candidacy.

He underscored The Gambia’s “strong and unequivocal commitment to international law” and highlighted the nation’s record in supporting judicial mechanisms to prevent atrocity crimes.

Minister Njie referenced The Gambia’s high-profile genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice as well as its advocacy at ECOWAS and the African Union, positioning the country as a regional and global proponent of international criminal law.

He also cited ongoing domestic efforts to address abuses revealed by The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), framing Justice Wright’s nomination as a continuation of those efforts.

Justice Wright, in her address, thanked the Gambian government for its confidence, articulating her vision for an ICC that puts victims and survivors—particularly survivors of sexual violence and children affected by conflict—at the centre of its proceedings.

“The legitimacy of every judgment rests upon the fairness of the process that produced it,” she said, emphasising her commitment to impartiality and judicial integrity.

Statements were also delivered on behalf of key Gambian legal officials, including the Attorney General and Supreme Court justices, whose messages highlighted Justice Wright’s experience with international criminal tribunals and her service at the highest levels of the national judiciary.

The launch event was attended by UN Permanent Representatives, Legal Advisors, election officers, and other stakeholders from both States Parties and non-States Parties to the Rome Statute, underscoring the international interest in the selection of ICC judges.

 

While the event showcased The Gambia’s active role in the international justice arena, some observers note that the ICC has faced criticism in recent years over its perceived focus on African cases and questions regarding its global legitimacy.

Justice Wright’s experience and stated vision may be seen as efforts to address such concerns and to further the Court’s credibility and inclusivity.

The election for new ICC judges is scheduled for later this year, with Justice Wright expected to campaign on a platform of fairness, integrity, and victim-centred justice. If elected, she would join a bench tasked with adjudicating some of the world’s gravest crimes under international law.