Yahya Jammeh Archives - Jean-Jacques Cornish

Adama Barrow pressed to keep to his word to step down after three years as Gambian President

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 22:00:00 +0000

Thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of Banjul demanding that Gambian President Adama Barrow keep to his agreement to step down after three years in power.

Barrow’s insisting he is constitutionally permitted to stay at the helm for five years.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed by President Adama Barrow when he took power in the Gambia, he would lead the country through a three year transition.

Gambians are wary of leaders clinging to power. Yahya Jammeh was there for 22 years and only stepped down threatened by military action by his neighbours after losing the 2016 election to Barrow.

The fact that Gambians now feel confident to take to the streets to make their grievances known is a testimony to the new democracy in that small West African country.

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Jammeh returns after abortive coup

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:00:00 +0000

President Yahya Jammeh, who’s back in The Gambia insists he’s still in charge of the country after a coup attempt yesterday.

Jammeh says he’s thwarted an attempt by his former army commander to depose him while he was out of the country.

Yahya Jammeh himself seized power in The Gambia in a coup 20 years ago.

He’s since built probably the most oppressive regime in Africa.

He’d left the country surreptitiously and is believed to have visited France.

For his return he abandoned his traditional white robes and sported western casual clothes for the quick ride back to State House in Banjul

He avoided the usual pomp and ceremony accorded the president on his return.

Coup leader Col. Lamin S. Sanneh reportedly died when troops regained control yesterday.

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Coup attempt in The Gambia

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 22:00:00 +0000

There appears to have been an attempt to overthrow the president of The Gambia while he’s out of the country.

Heavy gunfire’s erupted near the presidential palace in the capital, Banjul, reports say.

With President Yahya Jammeh abroad, soldiers of the presidential guard in The Gambia have tried to stage a coup.

Details are thin from military and diplomatic sources in the west African country entirely enveloped by Senegal.

They say the attackers have been beaten back.

Jammeh himself seized power in a coup in 1994.

He leads one of the most repressive regimes in Africa.

Two years ago the man who claims he can cure HIV/AIDS by the laying on of hands boasted he would rule for a billion years.

It’s not sure where Jammeh is at present.

Some media say he’s in France. Others report he’s in Dubai.

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