The Gambian government has reaffirmed its readiness to arrest and prosecute former dictator Yahya Jammeh should he return to the country, following his announcement that he plans to come back next month.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Information said, “If and when Mr. Jammeh returns, robust legal processes will be activated. This will include investigation, arrest, and prosecution, with a guarantee of due process, fair trial standards, and respect for the rights of all involved.”
Jammeh, who ruled The Gambia from 1994 until 2017, is accused of widespread human rights abuses and misappropriation of state funds for personal use. He currently lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea after being forced from power in 2017 under regional pressure, following his electoral defeat to Adama Barrow.
His supporters recently gathered in his hometown, Kanilai, where an audio message from Jammeh was played, declaring his intention to return in November. The government responded firmly, emphasizing that the “right to return home does not shield any person from accountability for serious alleged crimes.”
The statement dismissed speculation of any “memorandum of understanding or promise of immunity,” asserting that “no such agreement exists.”
The government reiterated its commitment to implementing the findings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which investigated crimes committed during Jammeh’s regime. The TRRC reported that 240 to 250 people were killed by the state and documented cases of torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations.
President Barrow’s administration previously vowed to prosecute 70 individuals named in the TRRC report, including Jammeh. However, his extradition remains complicated by the absence of a treaty between The Gambia and Equatorial Guinea, where the ex-leader continues to wield influence.
What you should know
Yahya Jammeh ruled The Gambia for over two decades marked by authoritarian control, repression, and corruption.
Since his ouster in 2017, The Gambia has made strides toward democratic governance under President Adama Barrow.
Jammeh’s proposed return has raised fears of renewed political tension in a country still healing from years of dictatorship and systemic abuse.
