US Backs Gambia's Push for Justice Against Ex-Leader.
The United States plans to help Gambia bring its former president to court. Molly Phee, who leads US affairs in Africa, spoke about this support during a press talk.
West African nations agreed to set up a special court. This court will try Yahya Jammeh and others for crimes they did their rule. Jammeh ran away to Equatorial Guinea in 2016 after losing power.
The court will look at many crimes. These include killing people without trials, hurting prisoners, and attacking women. Jammeh also ran fake AIDS treatments that led to deaths. His forces killed more than 50 migrants from other African countries in 2005.
"We want to help the Gambian people get justice," Phee said. She praised the new court plan. Her office advised on how to set it up. But she noted these courts need steady money to work well.
Phee also discussed President Biden's trip to Angola. It marked the first time a US president had visited southern Africa since 2015. Biden promised $1 billion to help people in 31 African countries.
The US worries about freedom disappearing in parts of West Africa. Phee said it hurts to see people in Guinea and nearby lands lose their right to choose their leaders. She believes letting people rule themselves leads to better lives.
The Biden team sees Africa as very important. They wrote up plans in 2022 to work with African nations as equals. They want African voices heard more around the world. The US keeps pushing to give Africa more say in world matters.
The United States plans to help Gambia bring its former president to court. Molly Phee, who leads US affairs in Africa, spoke about this support during a press talk.
West African nations agreed to set up a special court. This court will try Yahya Jammeh and others for crimes they did their rule. Jammeh ran away to Equatorial Guinea in 2016 after losing power.
The court will look at many crimes. These include killing people without trials, hurting prisoners, and attacking women. Jammeh also ran fake AIDS treatments that led to deaths. His forces killed more than 50 migrants from other African countries in 2005.
"We want to help the Gambian people get justice," Phee said. She praised the new court plan. Her office advised on how to set it up. But she noted these courts need steady money to work well.
Phee also discussed President Biden's trip to Angola. It marked the first time a US president had visited southern Africa since 2015. Biden promised $1 billion to help people in 31 African countries.
The US worries about freedom disappearing in parts of West Africa. Phee said it hurts to see people in Guinea and nearby lands lose their right to choose their leaders. She believes letting people rule themselves leads to better lives.
The Biden team sees Africa as very important. They wrote up plans in 2022 to work with African nations as equals. They want African voices heard more around the world. The US keeps pushing to give Africa more say in world matters.
