The Embassy of Gambia in London

Amb. Fatou Bensouda

H.E. Dr. Fatou Bom Bensouda is a Gambian lawyer and diplomat who has had a highly distinguished career in international criminal justice. She studied law in Nigeria: she earned her LL.B (Hons) from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and completed her professional legal training at the Nigerian Law School in 1987. Later, she deepened her expertise in international maritime law, obtaining an LL.M in International Maritime Law.

Bensouda’s early career began as State Counsel in 1987, she later became Principal State Counsel, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Solicitor General, Legal Secretary, and, between 1998 and 2000, Attorney General and Minister of Justice in The Gambia.

Her international career began at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), where she worked as a Legal Adviser and Trial Attorney, eventually becoming Senior Legal Adviser and Head of the Legal Advisory Unit. In 2004, she was elected by the Assembly of States Parties as Deputy Prosecutor (Prosecutions) of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Time magazine named her among the 100 most influential people in the world. After her ICC mandate ended, she returned to diplomatic service. Since 3 August 2022, she has served as High Commissioner of The Gambia to the United Kingdom.