Friday, July 22, 2011
THEN
On July 22, 1994, the Republic of the Gambia’s elected government of Sir Dawda Jawara is overthrown in a military coup d’état. Gambia—a small West African of about 1 million people in 1994—falls under the control of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) and Lieutenant Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh. Jammeh wins dubious elections two years later and has yet to leave power. His iron-fist rule is criticized by many international human rights groups. In a recent report, Reporters Without Borders said there is “absolute intolerance of any form of criticism” in Gambia, with death threats, surveillance and arbitrary nighttime arrests of journalists “who do not sing the government’s praises.” In 2007, Jammeh becomes the focus of international attention when he proclaims to have a cure for AIDS: a murky herbal concoction and the president’s own healing powers. He claims he can also cure asthma, stroke, sickle cell, diabetes, and arthritis.
NOW
Today marks 17 years since Yahya Jammeh seized control of Republic of The Gambia and Amnesty International commemorated the milestone with their latest report addressing the human rights abuses of Jammeh’s 17-year rule. According to the report, Jammeh’s government “ruthlessly quashes all forms of dissent.” Amnesty’s Deputy Africa Director Tawanda Hondora said in a statement, “Life in the Gambia for people who are perceived to belong to the opposition or journalists who have issued statements that are perceived to be critical of the authorities is quite bad. Most people end up in prison, in Mile Two prison, where they are subjected to torture. A lot of people have to flee the country.” Jammeh recently responded to the criticism of his government’s tactics by accusing what he calls “so-called human rights” of trying to undermine his government.
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