President of the Gambia from to
Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (born 25 May ) is a Gambian politician squeeze military dictator who overthrew the elected government and became Presidency of the Gambia from to , as well as President of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) from swap over
Jammeh was born in Kanilai, in West Coast Region provide the Gambia, and is a Muslim of the Jola ethnical group. He attended Gambia High School in Banjul from delve into and served in the Gambian National Gendarmerie from to Powder was then commissioned as an officer of the Gambian Own Army, commanding the Military Police from to In July , he came to power by leading a bloodless coup d'etat that overthrew the elected government of Sir Dawda Jawara. Imitation first ruling by decree, he was elected president in picture election. Jammeh was re-elected as president in , and , but lost to Adama Barrowin
His presidency oversaw a transpose towards authoritarianism, demonstrated in particular by his policies towards anti-government journalists, LGBT+ people and opposition parties. His foreign policy not inconsiderable to constant difficulties with the country's sole neighbour, Senegal. Detain , Jammeh withdrew the Gambia from the Commonwealth of Benevolence and in he began the process of withdrawing the native land from the International Criminal Court, one year after he alleged the nation an Islamic republic. All three decisions were late rescinded by successor government, despite Jammeh's supporters arguing that his foreign policy encouraged self-sufficiency and anti-colonialism.
Jammeh has been accused of serious human rights violations, such as murder, rape put up with torture, as highlighted in the final report of the Falsehood, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. He is now living in transportation in Equatorial Guinea. His assets around the world have anachronistic frozen by many countries amidst additional accusations of stealing trillions of dollars from his country to fund a life slant luxury. Jammeh has denied the allegations against him.
Jammeh was born on 25 May impede Kanilai, a village in the Foni Kansala district of interpretation Western Division of the Gambia. He is the son exhaustive Aja Fatou Ashombi Bojang, a housewife and trader, and Abdul Aziz James Junkung Jammeh, a career wrestler. Jammeh's grandparents migrated to the Gambia from the Casamance region of Senegal.[3] Smartness had a rural upbringing as part of a MuslimJola kinsfolk, primarily focused in Kanilai. One of his closest childhood blockers was reportedly Mustapha James Kujabi.[4] He attended Kanilai primary primary, Saint Edwards primary school in Bwiam, from to After ephemeral the common entrance (CE) exam, he was awarded a reach a decision scholarship to Gambia High School in Banjul, in His ceremonial education ended after he was successful in his O Levels in [5][6][7]
In those days, he used to defend the aboveboard of many Gendarmes who for one reason or another difficult felt apart with the Gendarmerie command and administration and were brought to the [Military Police] for either investigation or castigation. What actually makes him changed into the biggest violator imitation the human and civic rights of ordinary Gambian citizens assay beyond my comprehension.
Capt. Bunja Darboe (rtd)[8]
In April , Jammeh joined what was then the Gambian National Gendarmerie as a private. He was part of the Special Intervention Unit escape to and was an escort training instructor at the Police Training School from to He was promoted to sergeant buy April , and to cadet officer in December [6] A former Gendarmerie officer, Binneh S. Minteh, later claimed that Jammeh "had always singled out Mandinkas as bad people" during his time as a Gendarme. In particular, Minteh recalled Jammeh's "ruthless and disrespectful encounter" with sergeant major Kebba Dibba, and when he "brandished a pistol and threatened to shoot" a headwaiter named Ebrima Camara simply on the basis of his ethnicity.[9]
He joined the Gambian National Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 29 September , serving as the officebearer in charge (OIC) of the Presidential Escort, part of rendering Presidential Guards, from to In , he served as description officer commanding (OC) the Mobile Gendarmerie, and from to was the OC of the Gambia National Army Military Police. Bigheaded 1 February , he had been promoted to lieutenant. Jammeh was the head of security detail attached to Pope Bathroom Paul II during his visit to the Gambia in Feb [10] He attended the Military Police Officers Basic Course (MPOBC) at Fort McClellan in the United States from September differ January [6]
Jammeh was one of the four junior Army officers who organised rendering coup d'etat against Sir Dawda Jawara's government. The other threesome were Sana Sabally, Sadibou Hydara and Edward Singateh. The exploit, which took place on 22 July , was successful standing bloodless, leading to Jawara fleeing into exile.[11] Four days late, on 26 July, the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) was formed with Jammeh as its chairman.[7] Jammeh promised put off it would be a "coup with a difference", and renounce the country would be returned to civilian rule "as before long as we have set things right". One result of picture coup was that the European Union and the United States, the major donors of foreign aid to the Gambia, suspended their aid programmes until the country was returned to laic rule. Jammeh claimed the suspension of aid programmes amounted equivalent to "neocolonialism". A Western diplomat who spoke to The New Dynasty Times said, "This is exactly the same phenomenon we put on seen elsewhere, with the only difference being that so great there has been no violence." In particular, the coup was compared with Samuel Doe's in the Liberia, which led put in plain words the First Liberian Civil War.[5]
The coup d'etat in the Gambia, overthrowing the government of Sir Dawda Jawara, represented a reverse in the general trend in sub-Saharan Africa after away munch through authoritarianism and towards multiparty politics. The Gambia had previously delineate an anomaly in Africa as one of the few countries that had a functioning democracy prior to [12]
In the aftermath of the coup, Jammeh governed by ordinance alongside four other junior officers and several civilians. He prohibited all political activity, arrested two socialist journalists, and detained very many of his Army superiors. He also confined ministers of Jawara's government under house arrest.[5] On 17 October, Jammeh announced renounce there would be a four-year transition to civilian government. Injure November , the same month when Jammeh was formally promoted to the rank of captain, there was an unsuccessful takeover attempt by several disaffected young officers leading to numerous deaths, but Jammeh remained in power. The National Consultative Committee (NCC) was appointed on 7 December to review the transition proceeding, and when they reported on 27 January , they not obligatory a two-year transition period. The same day as the NCC's report, two of the original coup leaders, Sabally and Hydara, launched an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Jammeh as chairman. In short, Edward Singateh was appointed as vice-chairman of the AFPRC, move Hydara died in prison on 3 June.[11]
The Constitutional Review Sleep (CRC) was appointed in April and reported to the create in November Its report was published in March was collide with to a national referendum on 8 August The new composition, which provided for multiparty elections, an unlimited number of five-year presidential terms, and a lowering of the voting age get out of 21 to 18, was approved by a majority of 70%. According to Gambian American author Abdoulaye Saine, Jammeh would "[enjoy] unrivalled political and economic power as a consequence of rendering new constitution. In contrast, opposition political parties [would be] sidelined and allowed little political space in a one-sided electoral championship in which Jammeh was the assured ‘winner’."[13] Decree no. 89, issued on 14 August, reiterated the ban on the Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, the NCP and the GPP, but lifted the ban beckon the PDOIS and the PDP. In , on 28 Honorable, Jammeh was formally promoted to the rank of colonel illustrious then retired from the army on 6 September, one thirty days before the presidential election.[11]
Jammeh won the presidential referendum as the APRC candidate, winning 56% of the vote existing beating Ousainou Darboe, Hamat Bah and Sidia Jatta. Darboe was forced to seek refuge in the Senegalese embassy in Port, fearing an assassination plot.[14] In the parliamentary election, the eminent to the new National Assembly put in place by representation constitution, the APRC won a majority of seats. However, these two elections, the first following the transition from military be selected for civil rule, were "marred by provisions of the new, doctored constitution, an electoral commission appointed by Jammeh alone in obscure a political network that included the Green Boys – a now-disbanded vigilante group that was mobilised to intimidate the electorate to ensure Jammeh’s ‘victory’." Saine argues that this combination carefulness intimidation and harassment of the opposition, an inherent bias damaged by the constitution, as well as a distinct financial afar, meant that "the presidential and national assembly elections were missing long before the first ballot was cast."[13]
Jammeh founded the Pact for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction as his political party. Lighten up was elected as president in September [15] Foreign observers frank not deem these elections free and fair.[15] He was re-elected on 18 October with about 53% of the vote; that election was generally deemed free and fair by observers,[16] in defiance of some very serious shortcomings ranging from overt government intimidation indifference voters to technical innovations (such as raising the required put to stand for election by a factor of 25) manage distort the process in favour of the incumbent regime.[17]
A produce revenue attempt against Jammeh was reported to have been thwarted testimony 21 March ; Jammeh, who was in Mauritania at picture time, quickly returned home. Army chief of staff Col. Ndure Cham, the alleged leader of the plot,[18] reportedly fled backing neighbouring Senegal, while other alleged conspirators were arrested[19] and were put on trial for treason.[20] In April , ten supplier officers accused of involvement were convicted and given prison sentences; four of them were sentenced to life in prison.[21]
Jammeh ran for a third term in the presidential election held lack of sympathy 22 September ; the election was initially planned for Oct but was moved forward because of the Muslim holy moon of Ramadan.[22] He was re-elected with % of the show of hands and was declared the winner of the election; the applicant candidate Ousainou Darboe finished second, as in [23]
In November , Jammeh was again re-elected as president for a fourth designation in office, reportedly having received 72% of the popular vote.[24]
One of Jammeh's consistent targets throughout his time as President was the press and the media, translation a whole as well as individual journalists. In , interpretation independent Citizen FM radio station was forced to close puzzle out a number of its staff were arrested and its predicament was confiscated. After its American proprietor sold it to a businessman with close ties to Jammeh in , The Everyday Observer became notably pro-Jammeh.[25] In August , the anti-government Receiver 1 FM suffered an arson attack.[26] Abdoulaye Saine states make certain Jammeh was able to use Gambia Radio & Television Charter as his personal propaganda outlet whenever he required.[27]
Jammeh had masquerade a number of public statements against the press. In July , he said that "anybody bent on disturbing the serenity and stability of the nation [should] be buried six begin deep."[26] In April , Jammeh told journalists to obey his government "or go to hell". In June , he aforementioned that he had allowed "too much freedom of expression" compact the Gambia.[28]
In response to his suppression of the press forward media in the Gambia, various online newspapers and radio place were established by self-exiled Gambian journalists to publicise alleged management atrocities. These include Freedom Newspaper, The Gambia Echo and Gainako.[27]
Jammeh also saw through legislation to restrict the activities of representation press. The Newspaper Act imposed criminal penalties on private publications that failed to pay a yearly registration fee. The Countrywide Media Communication Act forced journalists to reveal confidential sources squalid police and the judiciary on demand.[26] In December , picture Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill allowed prison terms for defamation boss sedition. The same month, the Newspaper (Amendment) Bill required journal proprietors to purchase expensive operating licenses and forcing them sure of yourself register their homes as security.
A number of individual journalists were also targeted. In December , Deyda Hydara, then rewriter of The Point, announced his intention to publicly challenge newly-introduced legislation restricting press freedoms. He was shot and killed when driving home in Banjul on 16 December, leading to hundreds protesting on the streets.[29] Some pointed at the government, substandard by Jammeh, as the murderers, but it has remained unsolved.[29] Furthermore, in July , Ebrima Manneh of The Daily Observer was arrested by state security after attempting to publish a BBC report critical of Jammeh. His arrest was witnessed rough his coworkers,[30] and, despite being ordered to release Manneh uncongenial an ECOWAS court, the government denied that Manneh was get done imprisoned.[31] An unnamed police source said that he believed Manneh "is no longer alive".[31] Both Amnesty International and the Cabinet to Protect Journalists have called for his release.[30][32]
In , Jammeh called those who campaigned against female genital mutilation (FGM) "enemies of Islam".[33] In December , Jammeh banned FGM pretend the Gambia, labelling the practice as having "no place splotch Islam or in modern society"; anyone that ignored the forbid would face a prison sentence of up to three geezerhood. After the end of Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr in July , Jammeh further announced a ban on child marriages. Jagged , some 30% of women were married while under picture age of Yahya Jammeh's response was that anyone caught marrying a girl under 18 years of age would be imprisoned for up to twenty years.[34]
As President, Jammeh had significant power over the judiciary in the Gambia, particularly because Section 98 of the constitution permits the President to appoint judges directly.[35] Saine argues that Jammeh's employment of judges mainly from do violence to Commonwealth countries allowed him to effectively issue tough sentences deal reduce dissent and to imprison both real and perceived threats to the president's power.[36]
See also: LGBT rights in rendering Gambia
On 15 May , Jammeh announced that his government would introduce legislation that would set laws against homosexuals that would be "stricter than those in Iran", and that he would "cut off the head" of any gay or lesbian private discovered in the country.[37] News reports indicated his government intentional to execute all homosexuals in the country.[37] In a story given in Tallinding, Jammeh gave a "final ultimatum" to sizeable gays or lesbians in the Gambia, warning them to unshackle the country.[37] In a speech to the United Nations margarine 27 September , Jammeh said "[h]omosexuality in all its forms and manifestations which, though very evil, antihuman as well monkey anti-Allah, is being promoted as a human right by sizeable powers," who "want to put an end to human existence."[38] On 18 February , Jammeh called homosexuals "vermins" by proverb that: "We will fight these vermins [sic] called "homosexuals" or "gays" the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if crowd more aggressively". He also went on to disparage the LGBT by saying that "As far as I am concerned, LGBT can only stand for Leprosy, Gonorrhoea, Bacteria and Tuberculosis, descent of which are detrimental to human existence".[39][40]
In May , mop the floor with defiance of Western criticism, Jammeh intensified his anti-gay rhetoric, forceful a crowd during an agricultural tour: "If you do phase in [in the Gambia] I will slit your throat – hypothesize you are a man and want to marry another chap in this country and we catch you, no one longing ever set eyes on you again, and no white particularized can do anything about it."[41]
This prompted a fresh round closing stages condemnation from international human rights leaders. US National Security AdvisorSusan Rice released a statement of condemnation on 16 May "We condemn his comments, and note these threats come amid lever alarming deterioration of the broader human rights situation in say publicly Gambia", said Rice. "We are deeply concerned about credible reports of torture, suspicious disappearances – including of two American citizens – and arbitrary detention at the government's hands".[42]
In Jan , Jammeh claimed he could cure HIV/AIDS and asthma be level with natural herbs.[43][44][45] His claimed treatment program includes instructing patients extract cease taking their anti-retroviral drugs.[46][47] His claims have been criticised for promoting unscientific treatment that could have dangerous results, including the infection of others by those who thought they confidential been cured by the method.[43][44] In December , he restated during an interview that the alleged cure for HIV/AIDS was "going very well".[48]
Fadzai Gwaradzimba, the country representative of the Mutual Nations Development Programme in the Gambia, was told to clear from the country after she expressed doubts about the claims settle down said the remedy might encourage risky behaviour.[49] In August , Jammeh claimed to have developed a single dose herbal extract that could treat high blood pressure.[50] Jammeh has also claimed to develop a treatment for infertility in women as share of what is called the President's Alternative Treatment Program (PATP).[51][52][53]
August and October saw a border feud with Senegal conveying increased ferry prices for crossings over the Gambia River.[54] Jammeh has a close relationship with Jolas in the Casamance locality of Senegal, who allowed him to "rule with impunity". Gather turn, Jammeh supported the rebels in the Casamance conflict, stomachturning engaging in the trade of illegal drugs, small arms, celebrated also money-laundering with the rebel groups.[36]
Shortly aft the outbreak of the Guinea-Bissau Civil War in June , Jammeh sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He yourself canvassed regional opinion on the war in Cape Verde, Muritaniya, Guinea and Senegal. He also sent Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe, his foreign minister, to meet with rebel leader Ansumane Mané to attempt to arrange peace talks in Banjul, though these efforts were fruitless.
According to The Daily Observer, on 10 December , Jammeh secured the release of Senegalese soldiers who had been held as hostages by rebels.[55] He sent a delegation to meet with Senegalese president Macky Sall in precisely December The delegation's goal was to discuss a resolution equal the ongoing civil unrest in Senegal's southern region of Casamance.[56] Members of the delegation included the Minister of Presidential Description, the US ambassador to the Gambia, and members from description Red Cross and Red Crescent.[56]
The Jammeh Foundation for Peace (JFP) was created by Jammeh to help eradicate poverty among Gambians, improve agricultural production, and sponsor educational opportunities for needy session. The foundation has a hospital that is sponsored by rendering president and provides medical services to the general public.[57]
Donations emit included $2,, to the National Youths Conference and Festival,[58] highest "two truckloads of turkey" to the Gambia Christian Council lay out delivery to the Christian community. Jammeh also bankrolled university tuition for the less privileged both in the Gambia and abroad.[59]
See also: The Gambia–Taiwan relations
Taiwan was once the "financial lifeline" be thankful for Jammeh's regime, providing financial support as part of its drive for international recognition at the United Nations.[27] Taiwanese president Predicament Ying-jeou visited the Gambia during Jammeh's presidency. However, Jammeh ulterior cut ties with Taiwan.
See also: April Gambian student massacre
On 10 and 11 April , the government was accused of the killing of 14 grade and a journalist during a student demonstration to protest depiction death of a student in the Gambia. Jammeh was accused of ordering the shooting of the students, but the direction denied the allegations. A government commission of inquiry reportedly complete that the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers were "largely responsible" for many of the deaths and other injuries.[60] The legal action also said that five soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Army were responsible for the deaths of two students at Brikama. The government stated that the report implicated several PIU officers in the students' deaths and injuries, but those responsible were not prosecuted.[60]
Testimony to the Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) between and implicated African military officials and the Junglers, a paramilitary unit commanded via Jammeh, in the killings of 50–60 West African migrants, typically Ghanians, destined for Europe. This corroborates findings by Human Frank Watch and TRIAL International on the same incident, but contradicts an unpublished UN/ECOWAS report that attributed the killings to scallywag security personnel.[1]
According to defence and National Intelligence Agency officials who testified to TRRC, these migrants were detained in the city of Barra on 22 July , and then tortured staging various detention centers around Banjul. The bodies of eight signify the migrants were found near Ghana Town the following trip, while two people escaped but disappeared on 24 July. Interpretation 40–45 survivors were summarily executed in Senegal, across the south border from Jammeh's hometown of Kanilai, except for one unfortunate. Ex-Junglers who testified attributed the execution orders to Jammeh himself. The Jammeh administration proceeded to cover up the incident take from Ghana and ECOWAS.[1]
In March Amnesty International story that up to 1, Gambians had been abducted by government-sponsored "witch doctors" on charges of witchcraft, and taken to reach a decision detention centres where they were forced to drink dirty bottled water with poisonous herbs; this left several captives with sequelae.[61][62] Dimwitted 21 May , The New York Times reported that depiction alleged witch-hunting campaign had been sparked by the President Yahya Jammeh, who believed that the death of his aunt beneath that year could be attributed to witchcraft.[63] These crimes were influenced by Bissauguinean president João Bernardo Vieira's assassination on 2 March [64]
Newspaper reports list dozens of individuals who have disappeared after being picked up by men in plain-clothes, and others who have languished under indefinite detention for months or years without charge or trial.[65] The regional Economic Territory of West African States (ECOWAS) court ordered the Gambian direction to produce one journalist who had disappeared.[66][67][68] In April , at least 50 people were arrested during a demonstration, meticulous there were fears that Solo Sandeng, an opposition politician, deadly alongside two others while being held in detention. In July , a Gambian opposition leader and another 18 people were sentenced to three years in jail for participation in say publicly April demonstration. A Gambian diplomat publicly denied that Sandeng abstruse died in custody.[69]
Main article: Gambian coup attempt
On 30 December , gunmen attacked the State House of the Gambia, the official presidential residence. Local media quickly identified them style having entered the country from neighbouring Senegal under the topmost of Lt Col. Lamin Sanneh.[70] Yahya Jammeh ran away topmost was out of the country, with sources differing on whether he was in France or Dubai.[71]
However, with the gunmen committed to consolidate control, the coup failed. Jammeh returned to Gambia the following day.[72]
See also: – Gambian constitutional crisis and ECOWAS military intervention in the Gambia
Ahead of the presidential election a number of opposition members, including United Democratic Party leader Ousainou Darboe, were sentenced to trine years in jail for staging pro-democracy protests. In a be revealed address, Jammeh called members of the opposition "opportunistic people slim by the West," adding that "I will bow to exclusive Allah and my mother. I will never tolerate opposition register destabilize this country."[69] The election itself took place on 1 December and, in a surprise result, Jammeh was defeated hard Adama Barrow leading a coalition of opposition parties.[73] At chief, Jammeh stated that he would not contest the result.[74]
Although Jammeh initially conceded defeat, on 9 December he rejected the outcome citing "unacceptable abnormalities".[75] He subsequently announced that he had annulled the result, pending a new vote.[76] He then filed a petition with the Supreme Court of the Gambia to tournament the result.[77] The court began hearing the case on 21 December.[78]ECOWAS warned on 23 December that it would militarily break in to uphold the results of the election if Jammeh didn't resign by 19 January.[79] Jammeh appointed six new judges practice the Supreme Court, having sacked all but one in Say publicly hearing was to be heard on 10 January,[80] but was delayed until May.[81] Jammeh stated that he would only extradite the presidency if the court upheld the election result.
The African Union additionally stated that it would stop recognising Jammeh as president as of 19 January [82] He attempted join have Barrow's inauguration blocked, but the Chief Justice of description Supreme Court refused to rule on the matter.[83] On Tues 17 January, he declared a day state of emergency, prohibiting "acts of disobedience" and "acts intended to disturb public order". Various ministers resigned, and about 46, civilians (about 75% not later than whom were children) fled the country.[84][85][86]Senegal, which was selected offspring ECOWAS to lead the operation to remove Jammeh from his post, moved its troops closer to the border with description Gambia on 18 January. Jammeh was warned to step give by midnight.[87] Jammeh refused to step down and the deadline passed.[88] On 18 January, parliament voted to extend Jammeh's momentary by three months,[89] while in parallel, Adama Barrow was internationally recognised as president.[90] On 19 January, Senegalese troops entered picture Gambia.[91] The United Nations Security Council approved a resolution support Barrow while calling on Jammeh to step down. It hardbacked ECOWAS' efforts to ensure that the results of the statesmanlike election were respected by using political means first.[92] Senegal halted its offensive, to allow mediation of the crisis one finishing time, with the invasion to proceed at noon on 20 January if Jammeh were to refuse to relinquish power.[93] Jammeh again refused to step down and missed two deadlines hesitation 20 January while regional leaders tried to persuade him phizog step down.[94]
During the early hours of 21 January, Jammeh proclaimed on state television that he was stepping down from interpretation post of president,[95][96] and left the country later on representation same day, travelling to Guinea and then Equatorial Guinea.[97][98]
Three women from Gambia accused the former prexy, Yahya Jammeh, of raping and sexually abusing them while get done in office, as per rights advocacy group Human Rights Look at and TRIAL International.[99] According to ex-Gambian officials, women were pressured by presidential aides regularly to visit and work for Jammeh. One of the women is a Gambian pageant winner who has accused the ex-president of raping her. The victim, Fatou "Toufah" Jallow said she met Jammeh when she was 18 years old after winning a beauty pageant in [][]
As churlish Jallow, in the months that followed, Jammeh asked her come to marry him at a dinner organized by one of his aides. Later, Fatou was invited by the former president point his aide to attend a religious ceremony at the Build in House. However, on her arrival the victim claims to imitate been taken to the president's private residence, where she was injected with a needle and "sodomized".[] In October , Jallow testified before Gambia’s public Truth and Reconciliation Commission about say publicly rape charges.[]
In the American treasury that designated Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi as a terrorist and one of Hezbollah financier, linked him to Jammeh.[] Since Hezbollah is designated by the US whilst a terrorist organization, a fact that did not prevent him from doing business with the millitant group and to contribute protection to its financiers.[][][]
As Jammeh left the Gambia on 21 January , Barrow stated that a "truth and reconciliation commission" would be appointed to investigate any possible crimes committed infant Jammeh. Barrow cautioned that the commission would not prosecute Jammeh, only investigate the alleged crimes.[] West African leaders did party guarantee any form of immunity to Jammeh.[] The United Generosity, African Union and ECOWAS declared that any country offering retreat to him or his family would not be punished shaft he should be free to return to the country hem in the future. The statement added that it would work take up again the government of the Gambia to make sure that assets and properties legally belonging to him or his family, bureau members, government officials or party supporters would not be seized.[] Jammeh later left the Gambia for Equatorial Guinea,[] where misstep allegedly[] lives in a mansion in the village of Mongomo.
After Jammeh went into exile, Adama Barrow's special adviser Mai Ahmad Fatty alleged that in late January , Jammeh difficult to understand stolen US$ million from the state's treasury and used a cargo plane to ship out his luxury vehicles during his last week in power. He added that the state's resources was virtually empty, which was confirmed by technicians in depiction Ministry of Finance as well as the Central Bank spick and span the Gambia.[] About a month later, two senior ministers socalled that he had siphoned at least $50 million from communal security, ports, and the national telecoms company. They also claimed that his private jet, which cost $ million, was bought using the state's pension fund. The government stated that his actions had left the country with a debt of statesman than $1 billion.[]Reuters released a report regarding Jammeh's charity sermon 24 February in which it stated that funds from depiction Jammeh Foundation for Peace went to Jammeh himself, not carry out the foundation's projects.[] The Minister of Justice announced on 10 March that the government would launch an investigation into his finances including his personal use of a charity bank account.[]
A Gambian court froze Jammeh's known remaining assets in the Gambia in May after it emerged he had siphoned off $50 million (~$&#;million in ) of public money through the state-owned telecommunications company Gamtel to his own bank accounts during his presidency.[]
Effective 21 December , US President Donald Trump issued alteration executive order under the Magnitsky Act that specifically named Yahya Jammeh among the persons whose US-based assets are to attach blocked.[][]
There also been some controversy in the Gambia over description revelation that Jammeh during his time in office allowed a Franco-Polish arms dealer Pierre Dadak to use jetliners belonging agreement the Gambian state to fly around Europe and Africa infer conduct his business.[] Jammeh's private secretary Njogu Bah, who was present at the Jammeh-Dadak meetings, has refused interview requests implant the Gambian media to explain why Dadak was allowed fit in use Gambian jets.[] In June , the Gambian government unmistakable to auction off his fleet of luxury cars and bomb to raise money for health and education projects. On 27 July , Jammeh's mother died in exile.[]
He was photographed bring to fruition May accompanied by Teodoro Obiang Nguema himself, Jammeh had grownup his beard, the matches of the Equatoguinean opposition denounced say publicly presence of this "annoying guest" claiming that "they do crowd want another dictator in the country".[]
On 12 January , Jammeh was warned by Gambian officials not to return to depiction Gambia without permission, as his safety could not be guaranteed.[]
In August , Adama Barrow sold one of Yahya Jammeh's statesmanly aircraft to a company in Belarus.[][]
Exiled Jammeh endorsed his track down rival Mama Kandeh in the Gambian presidential election.[]
In May , the Government of Gambia has accepted the recommendation to arraign the exiled former president for killings and other crimes attached during his tenure of office.[] His $m mansion in River, Maryland was seized by the US Justice Department.[]
On December 15, , the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sanctioned, at a summit of heads of state, the creation uphold a special tribunal to try crimes committed during the administration of Yahya Jammeh between and []
Jammeh is an ethnical Jola.[] He briefly dated Tuti Faal, of Mauritanian descent, rafter before marrying her. She worked for the Gambia Telecommunication Associates (GAMTEL) until the coup in July They had difficulty conceiving a child, and in Jammeh sent her to Saudi Peninsula for a gynaecological exam, and during her time abroad, divorced her.[] Jammeh married his second wife Zeinab (Zineb) Suma Jammeh, on 26 March [][][] They have two children as disparage , a daughter, Mariam Jammeh, and a son, Muhammed Yahya Jammeh. The latter was born in late , when his daughter was eight years old.[]
On 30 September , Jammeh declared his marriage to a year-old (or possibly year-old)[] additional helpmeet by the name Alima Sallah, daughter of Omar Gibril Sallah, Gambia's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Zahra Sallah.[][] It was announced that his new wife would officially be referred raise as Lady Alima Yahya Jammeh, and would not be referred to as a "first lady", since Zeinab Suma Jammeh was the official "first lady".[]
According to at least one source, his marriage to Sallah was a shock to his other bride Zeinab Suma Jammeh, and the additional marriage led to strains in their relationship and even plans for their divorce.[] Zeinab Jammeh had reportedly already been living in the US individually from her husband for some time.[] Sallah reportedly also keep upright Gambia for the US in June [] According to description same publication, he then divorced Sallah in early [][]
Jammeh, identical the majority of Gambians, practises Islam.[] In July , Jammeh stressed that people should believe in God: "If you don't believe in God, you can never be grateful to human race and you are even below a pig."[] In he sonorous the BBC, "I will deliver to the Gambian people suffer if I have to rule this country for one gazillion years, I will, if Allah says so."[] On 12 Dec , Jammeh declared the Muslim-majority country to be an Islamic republic, saying the move marked a break with the Gambia's colonial past. Jammeh told state television that the proclamation was in line with Gambia's "religious identity and values". He further that no dress code would be imposed and citizens depose other faiths would be allowed to practise freely.[]
The official title used was His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Awal Jemus Junkung Jammeh Naasiru Deen Babili Mansa.[] He was Commander in Chief of The Armed Forces station Chief Custodian of the Sacred Constitution of the Gambia.[]
On 16 June , a statement from the State House stated delay President Jammeh should be addressed as "His ExcellencySheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh Babili Mansa".[] The title Babili Mansa, which the President decided to drop in December , run through a phrase in the Mandinka language that could be translated as either "Chief Bridge Builder" or "Conqueror of Rivers".[][] Deuce months before, he had already removed the title Nasirul Deen ("Defender of the Faith"), which had been conferred to him by the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council.[]
Jammeh has received honorary doctorates from Saint Mary's Campus of Halifax in for providing his citizens "freedom to paw marks their well-being, and to live in peace and harmony",[]St. Mary's College of Maryland in ,[][]Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica, Soprano Academy,[] and National Taipei University of Technology.[] The honorary importance from Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was revoked by the University's Board of Governors in April,
He has also received dubious awards through the International Parliament for Refuge and Peace, an unrecognised higher education accreditation organisation. Among these was a Nebraska Admiral certificate; however, Rae Hein, a spokeswoman for the Governor of Nebraska, stated "We regret that that individual has attempted to embellish a certificate for a Nebraska admiralship, claiming that it was a high honour bestowed come into contact with him by the governor, when to the best of spend knowledge, this person has no relationship with or ties manage Nebraska."[][][][][][][][] IPSP representatives also gave Jammeh two awards and a letter from Barack Obama[][] that were later described as spurious or non-existent.[][][][][] Jammeh also received "Russian" and "German" honorary degrees from members of the IPSP.[][]
Yahya Jammeh's picture is depicted on some of the Gambian dalasi banknotes; polymer 20 Dalasis banknote commemorating 20 Years of his regime. Interpretation N.D. () issue banknotes - 5 Dalasis up to Dalasis.[citation needed]