Yahya Jammeh

The United States government has barred former Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh and members of his immediate family from entering that country.

In a statement titled ‘Public Designation of The Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh’ released on Monday by the country’s Department of State, the US said the ex-president was sanctioned over his involvement in significant corruption.

“The Department is publicly designating former president of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh under the terms of Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2018 due to his involvement in significant corruption.

“Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign government officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.

“The law requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members.

“In addition to the designation of Yahya Jammeh, the Department is also publicly designating Jammeh’s spouse, Zineb Yahya Jammeh, his daughter, Mariam Jammeh and his son, Muhammad Yahya Jammeh,” the statement read.

“The United States is committed to combating corruption, increasing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and promoting good governance globally.

“The United States stands with the government of The Gambia, its people and civil society in support of The Gambia’s transition towards greater transparency, accountability and democratic governance, for the benefit of all Gambians,” the statement read.

Jammeh was defeated by current President Adama Barrow who won the December 2016 presidential election. His tenure ended on January 19, 2017, the same day that Barrow was expected to be sworn in as his successor.

After initially accepting the election result, Jammeh later reneged, forcing Barrow to flee to neighbouring Senegal where he was eventually inaugurated as Gambia’s president at the country’s embassy.

To ensure that he handed over power, the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS  maintained that Jammeh ceased to be recognized as Gambian President from the date he was expected to handover to Barrow, a decision which the US also supported.

Jammeh was eventually forced to leave The Gambia and go into exile on January 21 while Barrow returned to the country on January 26.