Government Achieves Significant International Legal Milestone, Protects The Gambia from Over US$33 Million Liability

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The government of The Gambia has attained a noteworthy success in the international legal arena by successfully overturning an arbitration award that had mandated the country to compensate foreign investors approximately US$33.2 million.

This ruling, issued on July 17, 2026, by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Annulment Committee, fully annulled a March 2024 arbitration award concerning a dispute related to the acquisition of a shrimp farming project during the previous administration of Yahya Jammeh.

This decision marks a critical international legal triumph for President Adama Barrow’s administration, safeguarding Gambian taxpayers from a significant financial obligation that could have adversely impacted national developmental programs.

The Annulment Committee indicated that the initial arbitration tribunal did not sufficiently clarify how Gambian law conferred the country’s consent to ICSID arbitration, which is a vital prerequisite for jurisdiction. Consequently, the entire arbitration award was nullified.

This outcome not only removes over US$32 million in damages and accrued interest previously imposed on The Gambia but also entitles the country to recover approximately US$213,000 in arbitration expenses. These funds can now be redirected towards essential national priorities, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other socio-economic development efforts.

President Adama Barrow acknowledged the landmark ruling, characterizing it as a significant victory for the nation. Following the initial arbitration award in 2024, President Barrow directed the Attorney General to relentlessly contest what he viewed as an unjust ruling through every legal channel available. This approach received unanimous support from the Cabinet, thereby facilitating the successful annulment proceedings.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dawda A. Jallow remarked that this outcome exemplifies The Gambia’s capability to uphold its national interests in international courts through effective legal strategies, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Additionally, the Attorney General commended the government’s legal team, which was led by distinguished Gambian attorney Edi M. O. Faal, Cherie Blair KC of Omnia Strategy, state law officials, and Gambian legal expert Counselor Kebba Sanyang, for their unwavering dedication throughout the two-year legal proceedings.

The case, formally designated as West African Aquaculture Ltd., Kurt Lennart Hansson, and Martje Bolt Hansson v. Republic of The Gambia (ICSID Case No. ARB/18/10), stemmed from actions undertaken during the prior regime regarding the takeover of a shrimp farming investment. Following the award in March 2024, The Gambia submitted an annulment application in July 2024, culminating in a favorable ruling issued this month.

This governmental success has been broadly interpreted as a significant enhancement of confidence in The Gambia’s legal institutions and its resolve to protect public resources while fulfilling international obligations.

Through this victory, President Barrow’s administration has not only secured substantial public funds but has also reinforced The Gambia’s standing as a state committed to defending its sovereign interests through adherence to the rule of law and internationally recognized legal mechanisms. The government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding taxpayer funds while ensuring fair and lawful processes in all future investment disputes.