German court sentences Gambian death squad member to life in prison

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - A German regional court sentenced Bai Lowe to life Thursday for his involvement in a death squad responsible for targeted killings of political opponents and journalists during the regime of former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh.

The landmark decision found Lowe guilty of crimes against humanity, murder and attempted murder.

Lowe served as a driver for the notorious paramilitary group, the Junglers, which operated with impunity under Jammeh's rule.

The prosecution presented evidence demonstrating Lowe's participation in assassinations.

The evidence included witness testimonies, phone records, and statements made by Lowe during interviews.

The court determined that Lowe played a pivotal role in the activities of the Junglers, contributing to the reign of terror that gripped Gambia during Jammeh's presidency.

"The long arm of the law has caught up to Bai Lowe, just as it’s catching up to Jammeh’s henchmen around the world (Switzerland, US), and as it will soon catch up to Jammeh himself. They can run but they can’t hide," Reed Brody, a legal representative at the International Commission of Jurists, wrote on X in response to the sentencing.

Lowe's apprehension in Germany in 2022 came after he confessed to his involvement in the death squad during an interview with a Gambian radio station.

Following his arrest, he was extradited to Germany to stand trial.

A bevy of rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the African Network against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances (ANEKED) hailed the outcome.

Jammeh's authoritarian rule in Gambia spanned from 1994 to 2017. It was marked by a disregard for human rights, political repression and the establishment of paramilitary groups like the Junglers, contributing to a legacy of fear and oppression.

Lowe’s trial represents the first-ever international prosecution for crimes committed under Jammeh’s regime.