The Gambia’s Attorney General told Bangladesh that a judgment in the landmark genocide case against Myanmar is expected in October, although the International Court of Justice has not yet publicly announced a date.
by RK Desk
- The Gambia’s Attorney General told Bangladesh that a judgment in the landmark genocide case against Myanmar is expected in October, although the International Court of Justice has not yet publicly announced a date.
- A Case Rohingya Have Waited Years For
- Judgment Could Be a Major Moment for Rohingya Justice
- Bangladesh and The Gambia Pledge Cooperation
- Court Has Not Yet Announced Judgment Date
27 August 2026: The Gambia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dawda A. Jallow has said a judgment in the Rohingya genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice is expected in October 2026, as Bangladesh and The Gambia discussed continued cooperation on justice and accountability.
Jallow made the remarks during a meeting with Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on the sidelines of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah on Thursday.
The International Court of Justice has not publicly announced an October date for its judgment.
The Court concluded hearings on the merits of The Gambia v. Myanmar on January 29 and said it had begun deliberations, with the date of its eventual judgment to be announced later.
Jallow’s statement therefore represents The Gambia’s expectation regarding the timing of the judgment rather than a formally announced ICJ schedule.
A Case Rohingya Have Waited Years For
The Gambia brought the case against Myanmar before the ICJ in November 2019, accusing the state of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention through atrocities committed against the Rohingya.
The case concerns Myanmar’s responsibility as a state rather than the criminal responsibility of individual perpetrators.
For Rohingya survivors, the proceedings have become one of the most significant international legal efforts to establish accountability for the mass killings, sexual violence, destruction of villages and forced displacement that devastated Rohingya communities.
More than 700,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh following Myanmar military operations beginning in August 2017.
In January 2020, the ICJ ordered provisional measures requiring Myanmar to take steps to prevent acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention and preserve evidence relating to allegations of genocide.
Myanmar later challenged the Court’s jurisdiction and The Gambia’s right to bring the case, but the ICJ rejected those objections in 2022 and allowed the proceedings to continue.
The Court held the full merits hearings from January 12 to January 29 this year.
Jallow himself represented The Gambia before the Court as its agent.
Judgment Could Be a Major Moment for Rohingya Justice
During Thursday’s meeting, Jallow said a ruling addressing accountability for crimes committed against the Rohingya could have wider significance for resolving the crisis.
For Rohingya, however, an eventual judgment will carry importance beyond diplomatic discussions over repatriation.
A ruling on the merits could determine whether Myanmar bears state responsibility under the Genocide Convention for the treatment of the Rohingya.
The case does not itself guarantee citizenship, restoration of land, reparations or safe return, but a finding against Myanmar could significantly strengthen Rohingya demands for recognition, accountability and international protection.
It could also influence other international accountability processes concerning crimes committed against Rohingya.
Bangladesh and The Gambia Pledge Cooperation
Kobir praised The Gambia for initiating and continuing the genocide case and said Bangladesh would maintain close cooperation on accountability and the broader Rohingya crisis.
The two sides also discussed keeping international attention focused on Rohingya at a time when humanitarian funding is declining and the crisis risks losing political attention.
They stressed the need for a comprehensive solution that would allow Rohingya refugees to return to their homeland voluntarily, safely and with dignity.
Bangladesh is currently hosting more than one million Rohingya refugees, while large numbers of Rohingya remain displaced or under severe insecurity inside Arakan.
Despite renewed discussion about repatriation, conditions for large-scale safe return remain absent.
Conflict continues in Arakan, and Rohingya communities have repeatedly demanded that any future return include recognition of their identity, citizenship, security, freedom of movement and access to their homes and land.
Court Has Not Yet Announced Judgment Date
The expectation of an October judgment will now draw particular attention because the ICJ case has entered its final stage after nearly seven years of proceedings.
But until the Court itself issues a formal announcement, no specific date for the judgment should be treated as confirmed.
For Rohingya survivors who have waited years for an international judicial determination of what happened to their community, the eventual judgment will be one of the most consequential moments in the long pursuit of accountability.
Whether it comes in October or later, the central question before the Court is one Rohingya have carried since their villages were destroyed and families displaced: whether Myanmar will be held legally responsible under the Genocide Convention for the atrocities committed against them.
