Yahya Jammeh (Yahya Jammeh)

Biography

Yaya Jammeh seized power in the Gambia in a coup in 1994 at the age of 29.

The eccentric Yaya changed his uniform to a snow-white buba, scepter, rosary and Koran, began to "heal" citizens from AIDS, infertility and asthma with the help of herbal decoctions, argued that the magical power inherited from the marabut father makes him omnipotent and invulnerable.

In 2008, he stated that all gay men would be beheaded.

In 2013, Jammeh vowed to remain in power for "a billion years."

He used executions and torture against criminals and political opponents.

2017: Yaya Jammeh leaves country's presidency

Ahead of the 2016 election, a number of opposition members were sentenced to three years in prison for organising pro-democracy protests. In a public address, Yaya Jammeh called opposition members "opportunists supported by the West."

The elections were held on December 1, 2016, Jammeh lost. He disagreed with the result, filed a petition with the Supreme Court of the Gambia to challenge the result. ECOWAS warned on December 23 that it would intervene if Jammeh did not resign.

In January 2017, Gambian President Yaya Jammeh was forced out of office after ECOWAS launched a military operation to remove him from power.

The former Gambian leader lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea.

2019: Rape allegation

In June 2019, Miss Gambia 2014 Tufa Jallow alleged that she was raped by ex-President Yaya Jammeh.

Tufa Jallow

In June 2019, Beauty Tufa Jallow wants to sue Yaya Jammeh after five years. The girl admitted that she was 18 years old when she met the president after winning a beauty contest. For months, he looked after her, gave gifts and even made water to her family. He then proposed to the girl, but she refused.

On one occasion, an aide to the ex-president insisted that Jallow attend a religious ceremony as the winner of the contest in June 2015. But when she arrived at the scene, she was taken to the president's private residence. There, Jammeh hit her and gave her a shot.

Officers' testimony on Jammeh-commissioned killings

In July 2019, the Gambia told about the previously unknown crimes of Yaya Jammeh.

Gambians watched live footage of three former members of the death squad known as the "Janglers," Malik Jatta, Omar Jallow and Amadou Badji testifying against Jammeh.

Omar Jallow admitted to taking part in the executions of 48 people on the orders of Yaya Jammeh. Details of Jammeh's participation in the disappearance of American citizens Alhaji Ceesay and Ebrima Jobe in 2013 also became known. The Janglers accused the ex-president of ordering the killing of these two Americans.

Officers took part in attacks on members of the president's family, the torture of cleric Imam Baba Lee and the execution of nine prisoners in 2012.

Lt. Malik Jatta told the commission that he and two colleagues in 2004 shot dead journalist Deida Haidara, who was critical of Yaya Jammeh's regime.

Jatta's testimony also supports the findings of Gambian investigators about the killing of about 50 migrants in 2005. Among the victims: 44 Ghanaian nationals, 10 Nigerians, two Senegalese, three Ivorians and one Togo native. Most of their bodies were dumped in a well in nearby Senegal. Jammeh considered these foreigners conspirators.

In their acquittal, the three officers said they "were blindly committed to the president."

Demonstrations for Jammeh's return to power

Thousands of supporters of former Gambian leader Yaya Jammeh demand his return to the country in January 2020. They argue he has the right to do so under a joint African Union, ECOWAS and UN statement issued during his ouster.

Jammeh's political party released an audio recording where the former leader supported protests in his support. This provoked a wave of demonstrations around the country in defense of the ex-leader.