The Gambian President: Yahya Jammeh

In the 'Meet your African Presidents' series we'll introduce you to some quick facts on the Continent's Presidents and give you a brief look into their rule.






The Gambian President: Yahya Jammeh

Today we stop on the shores of the Atlantic, in the smallest Nation on mainland Africa; The Gambia. A former British colony that attained independence in 1965. The Gambia is one of the little known countries across the continent which has enjoyed relative peace. It's only in 1994 when the incumbent at the time; Dawda Jawara was overthrown in a bloodless Military coup by Yahya (Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung) Jammeh. (Impressive – no bloodshed) Jammeh has however ruled the Gambia since, with an iron fist.


There has been a lot of furor about the human rights abuses committed against individuals, mostly journalists and civil rights groups that speak up against the government. According to reporters without borders; there is an "absolute intolerance of any form of criticism" in Gambia, with death threats, surveillance and arbitrary night-time arrests to the daily lot of journalists "who do not sing the government's praises".


Following some of the Gambian websites you notice a strong bitterness and resentment towards Mr. Jammeh and his leadership. According to www.allgambian.net the Gambian president is ‘… a debtor who never paid back his dues….’


Another site,www.thegambiaecho.com a Gambian newspaper site expressed it’s frustration over an award reportedly given to Mr. Jammeh in June of 2007. The award was in recognition of his development track record and 'apparent' good leadership by the Senegambian community based in the United Kingdom. The paper further described Mr. Jammeh as being ‘..no different from Adolph Hitler. Like Hitler, Jammeh is hateful and can exterminate or butcher our nation’s best and able just for political supremacy......’

It's ironical then that he was re-elected for another term in 2006, the victory being accredited to successful intimidation of the public by chiefs, governors and members of the armed forces.

As in the case of all our leaders there is always something queer about them. In Mr. Yahya’s case, he believes he can cure AIDS……….how cool is that?! Forget ARVs we have Yahya Jammeh! Africa for Jammeh! And the beauty is, this makes him an accessible president because he administers treatment to his countrymen in his presidential residence. He uses a green herbal paste, a yellow liquid and gives them special peanuts and bananas to eat. He claims that his methods show results in ‘a matter of days.’



A report from the BBC states that when the UNDP country representative in Gambia, Fadzai Gwaradzimba expressed her doubt in his methods, and raised concerns that it would encourage risky behaviour, she was told to leave.

The irony is when you look at the other picture of this president on this blog site; he is more like the poster boy of democracy in Africa. Charming African man and barbaric leader, the epitome of pathetic African leadership.