By Ramya Kannan
Yahya Jammeh, the ex-President of The Gambia, has become the first president to peacefully hand over control in the country since it gained independence in 1965.
Gambia is a small country in West Africa which faced a political crisis and the possibility of military intervention as Yahya Jammeh refused to step down. President Yahya Jammeh has been ruling over Gambia since 1994, after overthrowing the government in a military coup and winning four consecutive elections. He was defeated by a margin of 5% by Adama Barrow in the historic December 2016 elections.
Rise and fall of Yahya Jammeh
Yahya Jammehs rule in Gambia was marked by brutal violence, political malpractices, and questionable medical declarations.
After overthrowing Dawda Jawara in a military uprising in 1994, Jammeh was elected President in 1996. He retained leadership of the country by winning elections in 2001, 2006 and 2011, following a constitutional amendment to remove the limit on presidential terms.
He attempted to establish himself as a visionary with extensive medical skills by claiming to have a herbal cure for AIDS and other chronic ailments. Jammeh also managed to maintain his control over the country through illegal and enforced punishments, torture, threats of disappearance and baseless arrests.
After a number of opposition members were arrested during the election campaign, Adama Barrow emerged as the leader of United Democratic Party (UDP), Gambias largest opposition party. He promised to tackle economic concerns such as the problem of unemployment and low GDP and address human rights violations. Moreover, in stark contrast with Jammehs policies and actions, Barrow supports a two-term limit on the presidency and has reiterated the importance of a free media and civil society and an independent judiciary.
Adama Barrow emerged as the leader of United Democratic Party (UDP), Gambias largest opposition party | Picture Courtesy – Daily MailThe 51-year old property developer was backed by seven opposition parties in his decision to stand against Jammeh. The citizens of Gambia attempted to usher in a new era of democratic leadership despite allegedly facing a considerable threat to life. However, their hopes were subdued when President Jammeh asserted that the elections had been rigged and refused to step down.
The reason for this may be his imminent trial and persecution for malfeasance in office. Jammeh had appealed to the Supreme Court on grounds of electoral malpractices and demanded fresh elections, thereby extending his presidential term by three months. To avoid threats to his life, President-elect Barrow had been compelled to remain in Dakar even after being sworn in as the official head of Gambia.
Reaction of other countries
[su_pullquote align=”right”]While the international community has already opposed his actions, Jammeh has also lost support within the country in the aftermath of his defeat.[/su_pullquote]
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to facilitate a transfer of power. The sanction by UN Security Council states that the intervention should be by political means first, but Senegal has already placed military troops at the borders. While the international community has already opposed his actions, Jammeh has also lost support within the country in the aftermath of his defeat. His trusted allies, including cabinet ministers, have called for him to accept the results and have even handed in their resignations.
It was uncertain whether the Gambian army would resist a military intervention, and close to 46,000 people fled the country as violence became imminent.
ECOWASs decision to ensure the removal of Jammeh was supported by the US, the EU, the UN Security Council and the African Union. In the face of such fierce opposition, he was compelled to give up his office and accept the offer of asylum.
Jammeh left the country in the midst of crying supporters and relieved citizens. He is expected to spend a few days in exile in Equatorial Guinea, before leaving for another country. While ECOWAS, the United Nations, and the African Union have stated that no legislative measures will be taken against him and that he and his family could return to The Gambia, citizens and human rights activists continue to foster the hope of prosecuting him since the joint declaration is a political document, not a legally-binding one.