A US federal court has sentenced former Gambian soldier Michael Correa to 67 years in prison for torture committed in The Gambia in 2006.
Victims of Correa’s brutality, carried out while he was part of the notorious “Junglers” hit squad under former president Yahya Jammeh, shared emotional testimonies during the trial. They described how they were beaten, suffocated with plastic bags, and subjected to electric shocks after a failed coup attempt against Jammeh’s regime.
Yaya Darboe, a Gambian army officer who endured torture at Correa’s hands, told the court: “He must be held fully accountable. When I saw him in Colorado, he showed no remorse. Justice must prevail.”
Other victims echoed similar feelings, saying the verdict not only punishes Correa but also restores faith in the rule of law. Former parliamentarian Demba Dem said: “I am glad he received a fair trial. That’s more than many of us got, but it is a step toward true justice.”
Correa was arrested in the US in 2019 for overstaying a visa, which later led to investigations into his past crimes. He was indicted in 2020 and found guilty in April this year of torture and conspiracy to commit torture.
The sentence has been hailed as a major milestone in The Gambia’s transitional justice process. The country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission previously named Correa and dozens of others as responsible for crimes against humanity, but many remain unpunished.
Victims and their families say this ruling should send a strong message to those still evading justice. Elizabeth Mendy, widow of a Gambian army officer, said: “Justice sleeps in The Gambia. Those who fled hide abroad, those who stayed walk freely. This should push our leaders to act.”
The Gambian government has recently taken steps toward establishing a hybrid court with Ecowas to prosecute perpetrators of Jammeh-era abuses. Many believe Correa’s conviction will pressure authorities to accelerate the process.
As one victim, Tamsir Jasseh, put it during the hearing: “This trial is a catalyst, a jumpstart for our nation’s journey toward truth, justice, and healing.”
