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Gambia

A woman walks past a large poster.
A woman walks past a large poster.

Will Gambia’s Ousted Dictator Influence Its Election?

Yahya Jammeh is still trying to pull the strings in Gambia’s first presidential vote since his fall from power.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) stands with dozens of people calling for stopping the vote count in Pennsylvania due to unfounded charges of fraud on the steps of the State Capitol on Nov. 5 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) stands with dozens of people calling for stopping the vote count in Pennsylvania due to unfounded charges of fraud on the steps of the State Capitol on Nov. 5 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

America’s Democracy Demotion

Pro-democracy groups and foreign governments should be calling out Donald Trump’s attack on the country’s core democratic institutions. They aren’t.

Argument |
Nic Cheeseman
Demonstrators during a march commemorating victims of Gambia's former regime, in Serekunda, on April 10, 2017.
Demonstrators during a march commemorating victims of Gambia's former regime, in Serekunda, on April 10, 2017.

Truth First, Reconciliation Later

After decades of dictatorship, Gambia has launched a truth commission. But in a country where some victims were also perpetrators, delivering justice to all won’t be easy.

Dispatch |
Ayenat Mersie
Jammeh_cover
Jammeh_cover

Gambia’s Ousted Dictator Is Living the Good Life in a Palace in Equatorial Guinea

Yahya Jammeh has kept a low profile since he was run out of Banjul in January. FP finds him holed up at a luxurious villa in another African kleptocracy.

Exclusive |
Colin Freeman
Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh arrives at the Elysee palace to participate in the Elysee summit for peace and safety in Africa, on December 6, 2013 in Paris. AFP PHOTO/ ALAIN JOCARD (Photo credit should read ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)
Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh arrives at the Elysee palace to participate in the Elysee summit for peace and safety in Africa, on December 6, 2013 in Paris. AFP PHOTO/ ALAIN JOCARD (Photo credit should read ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)

The Fall of Africa’s Loneliest Despot

How West Africa forced out Gambia's dictator, and strengthened its democracy, without firing a shot.

Dispatch |
Louise Hunt, Ty McCormick
gambia-ii
gambia-ii

Gambia’s Neighbors Reportedly Prepare Troops to Oust Brutal and Bizarre Dictator

But President Jammeh is ‘digging in for a long fight.’

The Cable |
Robbie Gramer
Incumbent Gambian President Yahya Jammeh listens to one of his aides in Banjul on November 29, 2016, during the closing rally of the electoral campaign of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC). More than 880,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots when the west African country goes to the polls on December 1, 2016. Jammeh has won four elections with his ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction, following a 2002 constitutional amendment lifting term limits. Rights bodies and media watchdogs including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accuse Jammeh of cultivating a "pervasive climate of fear" and of crushing dissent against his regime, one cause of the mass exodus of Gambian youths to Europe. / AFP / MARCO LONGARI (Photo credit should read MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)
Incumbent Gambian President Yahya Jammeh listens to one of his aides in Banjul on November 29, 2016, during the closing rally of the electoral campaign of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC). More than 880,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots when the west African country goes to the polls on December 1, 2016. Jammeh has won four elections with his ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction, following a 2002 constitutional amendment lifting term limits. Rights bodies and media watchdogs including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accuse Jammeh of cultivating a "pervasive climate of fear" and of crushing dissent against his regime, one cause of the mass exodus of Gambian youths to Europe. / AFP / MARCO LONGARI (Photo credit should read MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)

The Real Reason Gambia’s President Isn’t Stepping Down

First he conceded defeat. Then he challenged the legitimacy of the vote. What explains the flip-flop that is threatening the stability of this tiny African country?

Dispatch |
Colin Freeman
gambia-crop
gambia-crop

The Biggest Election Surprise of the Year May Actually Be in West Africa

How Gambia’s dictator lost his own election to a former London retail security guard.

The Cable |
Robbie Gramer
Members of Burundi's National Assembly raise their arm to vote on October 12, 2016 in Bujumbura, for the withdrawal of the International Criminal Court (ICC) from the capital, after the UN began an enquiry into human rights abuses in the turbulent nation. The draft law was passed with 94 votes in favour, two against and 14 abstentions. It will next go to the Senate -- also dominated by the ruling party -- before being approved by President Pierre Nkurunziza. In April, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she was conducting a "preliminary examination" of the situation in Burundi -- the first step towards a full investigation and possible prosecutions -- looking into allegations including murder, torture, rape and forced disappearances. / AFP / ONESPHORE NIBIGIRA (Photo credit should read ONESPHORE NIBIGIRA/AFP/Getty Images)
Members of Burundi's National Assembly raise their arm to vote on October 12, 2016 in Bujumbura, for the withdrawal of the International Criminal Court (ICC) from the capital, after the UN began an enquiry into human rights abuses in the turbulent nation. The draft law was passed with 94 votes in favour, two against and 14 abstentions. It will next go to the Senate -- also dominated by the ruling party -- before being approved by President Pierre Nkurunziza. In April, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she was conducting a "preliminary examination" of the situation in Burundi -- the first step towards a full investigation and possible prosecutions -- looking into allegations including murder, torture, rape and forced disappearances. / AFP / ONESPHORE NIBIGIRA (Photo credit should read ONESPHORE NIBIGIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Is the International Criminal Court Crumbling Before Our Eyes?

With three African countries giving notice that they intend to abandon the ICC, a coordinated exodus might soon be coming.

Voice |
David Bosco
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Gambian President Yahya Jammeh speaks at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2013 in New York City. Over 120 prime ministers, presidents and monarchs are gathering this week at the U.N. for the annual meeting. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Gambian President Yahya Jammeh speaks at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2013 in New York City. Over 120 prime ministers, presidents and monarchs are gathering this week at the U.N. for the annual meeting. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Gambia: The ICC Should Be Called the International Caucasian Court

Gambia is the latest country to leave the ICC>

Passport |
Siobhán O'Grady
Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh arrives at the Elysee palace to participate in the Elysee summit for peace and safety in Africa, on December 6, 2013 in Paris. AFP PHOTO/ ALAIN JOCARD (Photo credit should read ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)
Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh arrives at the Elysee palace to participate in the Elysee summit for peace and safety in Africa, on December 6, 2013 in Paris. AFP PHOTO/ ALAIN JOCARD (Photo credit should read ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)

The Worst Dictatorship You’ve Never Heard Of

Gambia is facing its biggest protest movement in years. It will either be a breakthrough or a bloodbath.

Argument |
Jeffrey Smith
Bakau, GAMBIA: Election officials set up marbles on a board to count the votes after the presidential elections in Bakau early 22 September 2006. Early results today showed Yahya Jammeh, who seized power in a coup 12 years ago, was on track to win a third term as president of mainland Africa's smallest country. Jammeh has won in 12 of the 48 voting regions to have reported provisional results from yesterday's presidential election, according to the results released by the commission over national television and radio.AFP PHOTO SEYLLOU (Photo credit should read SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images)
Bakau, GAMBIA: Election officials set up marbles on a board to count the votes after the presidential elections in Bakau early 22 September 2006. Early results today showed Yahya Jammeh, who seized power in a coup 12 years ago, was on track to win a third term as president of mainland Africa's smallest country. Jammeh has won in 12 of the 48 voting regions to have reported provisional results from yesterday's presidential election, according to the results released by the commission over national television and radio.AFP PHOTO SEYLLOU (Photo credit should read SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images)

Longform’s Picks of the Week

The best stories from around the world.

Feature |
FP Staff
SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images
SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images

Gambian president calls his citizens lazy, threatens to fire them
Passport |
Joshua Keating
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