Fatou Bom Bensouda, born on January 31, 1961, in Banjul, The Gambia, is a Gambian lawyer, diplomat, and international prosecutor. She began her career in the Gambian government, serving as Solicitor General and Legal Secretary in the Ministry of Justice from 1987 to 1996, and later as Minister of Justice, Attorney General, and Minister of Gender Affairs from 1998 to 2000, playing a key role in legal reforms and international cooperation. She then held international legal advisory roles with the International Seabed Authority (2002–2004) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (2004–2006). In 2008, Bensouda joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) as Deputy Prosecutor for Prosecutions and became Chief Prosecutor in June 2012, serving until June 2021. During her tenure, she initiated investigations into atrocities in conflicts such as Darfur (Sudan), post-election violence in Kenya, Mali, and notably launched an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity related to actions by the Israeli Defense Forces during the 2015 Gaza operations. Her work at the ICC advanced international justice but was met with controversy, including accusations from African leaders of bias against the continent and opposition from Israel and its allies. Recognized for her influence, she was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2017. After leaving the ICC, Bensouda returned to diplomatic service as Gambian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom starting August 3, 2022. Her career has been marked by a commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and accountability for international crimes, with no major personal scandals or legal issues publicly documented.