Lawyer Melville Roberts Open Letter To Amie Bensouda

Dear Mrs. Amie Bensouda, I pen this letter with a heavy heart, burdened by sorrow yet driven by a profound sense of love and disappointment. It is not easy to address you, a woman I have long admired and respected, whose legacy transcends common admiration. However, the truth compels me to speak, even when it is difficult.

The recent cease and desist letter directed at Kurang has shaken me—not for its legal implications, as you are undoubtedly one of the finest legal minds of our time, but for the emotional weight it carries. It signifies a rift, a silence, an unwillingness to engage in open discourse. Instead of fostering dialogue, it conveys a sense of threat and deterrence.

You have dedicated your life to fighting against injustice, illuminating dark corridors of truth, and giving voice to the voiceless. This course of action—this legal silence cloaked in warnings—wounds deeply. Many, including myself and Kurang, have raised questions regarding the actions of the Commission. These inquiries are not attacks; they are a quest for clarity and understanding, born out of a sincere desire for truth. My love for you remains steadfast. I believe in the greatness that resides within you—a greatness rooted not in the exercise of power but in the pursuit of justice. I implore you not to allow this moment to cast a shadow on your legacy. Do not let the public, who have cherished your name, perceive you as someone who would silence uncomfortable truths. I do not believe you personally sold Jammeh’s assets. As a lawyer, I understand the structure, limitations, and responsibilities involved. While you served as lead counsel, the final decisions rested with a broader collective. However, leadership also encompasses how one responds to challenges. The nation deserves clarity and a robust rebuttal to the concerns raised. Unfortunately, the threat of legal action only stirs suspicion and obscures the transparency you have always championed. We can disagree while still holding each other in mutual respect. I can challenge certain actions yet honor your name. However, I cannot support a narrative that stifles legitimate dissent through intimidation. That is not who you are. You have stood before Lady Justice with grace and dignity, inspiring generations to see justice as a calling rather than merely a profession. As someone who cares deeply for you, I want you to know that you are cherished. After Kurang publicly insulted me for defending you, I stood tall, advocating for him when he faced arrest and detention. I chose to rise above personal attacks. I refuse to be diminished by baseless claims; I remain steadfast in my truth. I will not stand idle as your name is tarnished, nor will I support an environment where dissent is quashed by the threat of lawsuits. Please, rise above this situation, not out of obligation to Kurang or to me, but in honor of the values you have so ardently defended throughout your life. Demonstrate to the world that your voice confronts truth, embraces it, and responds with clarity and courage. With unwavering respect and affection, Melville Robertson Roberts, Esq. Derbyshire, England