Reparations Allocation Rises to D33.3 Million as Special Prosecutor Gets D20 Million

By Yankuba Jallow

The allocation for reparations for victims of past human rights violations is set to rise to D33.29 million in 2027, while the Office of the Special Prosecutor is expected to receive D20 million, according to the government’s 2027 estimates of revenue and expenditure.

The Reparations Commission is estimated to receive D33,291,490 in 2027, compared with D30 million approved for 2026 and D23,058,066 actually spent in 2025.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor is allocated D20 million for 2027, the same amount approved for 2026, compared with D12,072,063 actually spent in 2025. The figures form part of the proposed D243,828,817 allocation for the Ministry of Justice in 2027. The Ministry of Justice received an actual allocation of D288,224,983 in 2025, while D203,508,719 was approved for 2026. The 2027 estimate represents an increase of D40,320,098 from the amount approved for 2026.

The proposed allocation covers the ministry’s general administration and a number of agencies and departments dealing with reparations, prosecution, legal aid, alternative dispute resolution, human trafficking, law reform, law reporting and anti-corruption.

The Reparations Commission is among the agencies receiving an increased allocation in the 2027 estimates. Its proposed allocation of D33,291,490 is D3,291,490 higher than the D30 million approved for 2026. The commission’s actual expenditure in 2025 was D23,058,066.

The allocation comes as the government continues its programme for reparations to people affected by human rights violations during the former Yahya Jammeh government.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor is allocated D20 million for 2027.

The amount is unchanged from the D20 million approved in 2026 but is higher than the D12,072,063 actually spent by the office in 2025.

The Special Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for prosecuting cases falling within its legal mandate.

The Ministry of Justice’s general administration is estimated at D100,585,384 in 2027. The amount compares with D63,246,769 approved for 2026 and D220,171,045 actually spent in 2025.

Basic salaries are projected at D13,122,090 in 2027, compared with D11,679,726 approved for 2026 and D13,979,841 spent in 2025.

Allowances are estimated at D34,195,234, compared with D31,817,043 approved for 2026 and D31,443,962 actually spent in 2025.

Travel expenses are projected at D4.3 million in 2027, compared with D4 million approved for 2026 and D4,094,227 spent in 2025.

The ministry’s allocation for conferences, workshops and seminars is estimated at D3 million in 2027, compared with D2.8 million approved for 2026 and D6,294,464 actually spent in 2025.

Contribution to international organisations is allocated D1 million for 2027, the same amount approved for 2026.

The National Agency for Legal Aid is allocated D16.6 million in 2027, unchanged from the D16.6 million approved for 2026. The agency’s actual expenditure in 2025 was D9,923,100.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Services is projected to receive D12.1 million in 2027, compared with D12 million approved for 2026 and D10,707,742 actually spent in 2025.

The National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons is estimated to receive D13,808,943 in 2027.

This compares with D13,208,950 approved for 2026. The figures supplied in the estimates do not state an actual 2025 expenditure for the agency.

The Anti-Corruption Commission is allocated D10 million for 2027, unchanged from the D10 million approved for 2026. Its actual expenditure in 2025 was D790,450.

The Law Reform Commission is also allocated D5 million for 2027, the same amount approved for 2026.

Law Reporting is projected to receive D7,136,000 in 2027, compared with D7,061,000 approved for 2026. The proposed 2027 estimates therefore put the Ministry of Justice’s total allocation at D243.83 million, with separate allocations for institutions involved in reparations, prosecution, legal aid, dispute resolution, anti-trafficking, anti-corruption and law reform.