The Real ICJ Bid: Tambadou's Candidacy Cloaked in Silence While The Gambia and Other Political Actors Turn a Blind Eye

Yesterday, much of the Gambian public, including my humble self,sighed with apparent relief, mistakenly believing that Mr. Abubacarr Marie Tambadou had failed to secure a seat at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). But let us be clear: he was never vying for that seat in the first place at least not yet substantively.

Under fire former Gambian Justice Minister Mr. Abubacarr Marie Tambadou

In truth, Mr. Tambadou’s candidacy is for a substantive judicial post on the ICJ following the expiration of the current judges’ terms in 2027. The elections for this prestigious and globally significant position are scheduled for November 2026. His name remains in the race uncontested, unchallenged, and unaccounted for while The Gambia continues to endorse his bid with alarming indifference to the serious allegations that now cloud his reputation.

This is not speculation. A highly placed source within the United Nations recently brought this quiet campaign to my attention. While the public was distracted, while scrutiny seemed to wane, Mr. Tambadou could very well have been smiling behind closed doors comforted by the knowledge that the heat on his candidacy would cool down, allowing him to work quietly behind the scenes to secure votes for 2026.

But God is not sleeping and as my highly placed source intimated to me, they too (UNITED NATIONS) are watching and following the daming revelations being made on Gambia social media discourse.

The clouds surrounding Mr. Tambadou have not yet dispersed. Allegations of misconduct, particularly involving the sale of assets belonging to former dictator Yahya Jammeh, have surfaced with force and conviction. These are not whispers, they are resounding calls for transparency, justice, and accountability.

And still, The Gambia remains silent. Worse yet, it remains complicit.

The Ministry of Justice, the Bar Association, and even the United Democratic Party (UDP) an opposition force meant to hold leaders accountable have continued to endorse Mr. Tambadou’s ICJ candidacy without a single public re-evaluation. Not a word of reconsideration. Not a whisper of withdrawal.

This is a national disgrace. When the credibility of our nation on the international stage is at stake, silence is betrayal.

This is not about partisan politics; it is about integrity. It is about ensuring that those who represent The Gambia at the world’s highest judicial table are beyond reproach, and not shrouded in allegations that remain unanswered.

To the Gambian people: do not be deceived by headlines or momentary distraction. The real battle for the ICJ seat lies ahead in November 2026, and The Gambia is hurtling toward that election blindfolded and deaf to reason.

To the UDP and all political parties: Your silence is noted. Your inaction is remembered. You cannot claim to champion the rule of law while offering blind endorsements to a candidate under scrutiny.

The world is watching. And I, for one, will not look away.

Editor's note: Melville Robertson Roberts

is a Legal Practitioner, Social Commentator & Advocate for Justice