Editing Yahya Jammeh
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=== 1994 coup in the Gambia === | === 1994 coup in the Gambia === | ||
On July 22, 1994, Lieutenant Jammeh, with a group of young officers from the Gambian National Army, carried out a bloodless coup against [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawda_Jawara Dawda Jawara], who had ruled the country democratically since independence. The coup was quickly completed after the coup plotters took control of several important points in the capital, Banjul. The coup was met with little resistance, and Jawara went into exile in Senegal. The coup group identified itself to himself as the Provisional Council of Government of the Armed Forces (AFPRC), and appointed Jammeh, aged twenty-nine, as interim head of state. | On July 22, 1994, Lieutenant Jammeh, with a group of young officers from the Gambian National Army, carried out a bloodless coup against [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawda_Jawara Dawda Jawara], who had ruled the country democratically since independence. The coup was quickly completed after the coup plotters took control of several important points in the capital, Banjul. The coup was met with little resistance, and Jawara went into exile in Senegal.7 The coup group identified itself to himself as the Provisional Council of Government of the Armed Forces (AFPRC), and appointed Jammeh, aged twenty-nine, as interim head of state. | ||
Upon coming to power, the AFPRC suspended the constitution, sealed the borders, and implemented a curfew. While the new Jammeh government justified the coup by discrediting the corruption and lack of democracy under the Jawara regime, the truth was that military personnel were also dissatisfied with their salaries, living conditions, and prospects for promotion. Following the coup, political activity was severely restricted, and virtually all political parties were momentarily suppressed. The coup was met with surprise on the international scene, and most European countries canceled their economic aid to the Gambia. | Upon coming to power, the AFPRC suspended the constitution, sealed the borders, and implemented a curfew. While the new Jammeh government justified the coup by discrediting the corruption and lack of democracy under the Jawara regime, the truth was that military personnel were also dissatisfied with their salaries, living conditions, and prospects for promotion.7 Following the coup, political activity was severely restricted, and virtually all political parties were momentarily suppressed.8 The coup was met with surprise on the international scene, and most European countries canceled their economic aid to the Gambia.9 | ||
In 1996, Jammeh announced the return to a civilian government, following the drafting of a new constitution.8 Despite the promise of a multiparty regime, in practice most of the powers were handed over to the President, who had a number of unlimited terms.8 The constitution was approved by a referendum with 70.36% of the votes.8 The presidential elections were held in September of that same year.8 Although he did not initially intend to participate, Jammeh finally he did so, founding his political party, the Alliance for Reorientation and Patriotic Construction, resigned his military rank, and was the winner with 55.77% of the votes.10 The electoral process was contested by the opposition and occurred without presence of observers from the Commonwealth of Nations and the African Union who refused to participate in the process. | In 1996, Jammeh announced the return to a civilian government, following the drafting of a new constitution.8 Despite the promise of a multiparty regime, in practice most of the powers were handed over to the President, who had a number of unlimited terms.8 The constitution was approved by a referendum with 70.36% of the votes.8 The presidential elections were held in September of that same year.8 Although he did not initially intend to participate, Jammeh finally he did so, founding his political party, the Alliance for Reorientation and Patriotic Construction, resigned his military rank, and was the winner with 55.77% of the votes.10 The electoral process was contested by the opposition and occurred without presence of observers from the Commonwealth of Nations and the African Union who refused to participate in the process. | ||