In a landmark ruling, Switzerland's top criminal court has sentenced Ousman Sonko, the former interior minister of The Gambia, to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity. The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, southern Switzerland, delivered its verdict on Wednesday, finding Sonko guilty of intentional homicide, torture, and false imprisonment during former President Yahya Jammeh's 22-year rule over The Gambia.

Sonko, who served as interior minister from 2006 to 2016, faced charges related to alleged crimes committed during Jammeh's regime spanning 16 years. The charges included nine counts of crimes against humanity, with Swiss prosecutors accusing Sonko of supporting, participating in, and failing to stop attacks against political opponents in The Gambia. Notably, he was acquitted of rape charges.

The trial against Sonko began in January, following his arrest in Switzerland in November 2016, shortly after he had applied for asylum. During the proceedings, the court heard evidence of Sonko's alleged role in human rights abuses under Jammeh's regime. The 55-year-old now has the option to appeal the verdict.

The ruling has been hailed by human rights groups, as it was obtained under the principle of "universal jurisdiction." This principle allows countries to prosecute alleged crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide regardless of where they were committed. Philip Grant, executive director of TRIAL International, lauded the verdict as a "resounding message against impunity," emphasizing the importance of holding accountable those involved in human rights abuses.

The application of universal jurisdiction in Switzerland has allowed the country to try alleged offenders of the most serious crimes, regardless of their citizenship, as long as they are present on Swiss soil. Sonko becomes the second individual to be tried under this principle since its enforcement in 2011. The first was Alieu Kosiah, a Liberian strongman who was sentenced to 20 years in June 2021 for mass killings and other crimes during the Liberian civil wars.

Former President Yahya Jammeh, who currently resides in exile in Equatorial Guinea, has been implicated in numerous human rights abuses during his rule, including arbitrary detention, sexual abuse, and extrajudicial killings. The conviction of his former interior minister marks an important step towards justice for the victims and survivors of Jammeh's oppressive regime.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty Switzerland, have hailed the verdict as a milestone in the fight against impunity. They noted that the trial sets a precedent, emphasizing that even former ministers can be prosecuted for grave human rights violations.

Moving forward, the international community is hopeful that accountability will extend to Jammeh himself. Reed Brody, an American human rights lawyer who attended Sonko's trial, expressed optimism that the long arm of the law would catch up with Jammeh and other accomplices, ensuring justice for all those affected by his regime.