Yahya Jammeh: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 04:49, 14 June 2007
Yahya Jammeh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 2nd President of the Gambia | |
| Assumed office July 22 1994 | |
| Vice President | Isatou Njie Saidy |
| Preceded by | Dawda Jawara |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 25, 1965 Kanilai, The Gambia |
| Political party | Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction |
| Spouse | Madam Zineb Jammeh |
Yahya (Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung) Jammeh (born May 25, 1965) is the President of The Gambia. As chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council, he took control of the country in a military coup in July 1994, and was elected as president two years later, in September 1996, in widely criticized elections.[1] He founded the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction as his political party. Jammeh was re-elected on October 18, 2001 with about 53% of the vote; this election was generally deemed free and fair by observers, despite some shortcomings.[2]
President Jammeh was formerly named Yahya Alphonse Jemus Jebulai Jammeh.
Jammeh has been accused of restricting freedom of the press. Harsh new press laws were followed by the unsolved killing of a reporter who had been critical of them, Deyda Hydara, in December 2004.[3] Jammeh has denied that security agents were involved in the killing.[4]
Jammeh traveled to the United States to meet with Prince George's County, Maryland County Executive Jack Johnson in May of 2004. While in the Washington, DC metro area, he delivered the commencement address to the St. Mary's College of Maryland graduating class of 2004. The address highlighted his commitment to education since taking power in The Gambia.
A coup attempt against Jammeh was reported to have been thwarted on March 21, 2006; Jammeh, who was in Mauritania at the time, quickly returned home. Army chief of staff Ndure Cham, the alleged leader of the plot,[5] reportedly fled to neighboring Senegal, while other alleged conspirators were arrested[6] and were put on trial for treason.[7] In April 2007, ten former officers accused of involvement were convicted and given prison sentences; four of them were sentenced to life in prison.[8]
Jammeh ran for a third term as president on September 22, 2006; the election was initially planned for October but was moved forward because of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He was re-elected with 67.3% of the vote and was declared the winner of the election; opposition candidate Ousainou Darboe finished second, as in 2001.[9] Darboe rejected the results, saying that the election was not free and fair and that there was widespread intimidation.[4] Jammeh was sworn in for his third term on December 15.[10]
In early December 2006, Jammeh made a three-day visit to Iran, where he met with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and supreme leader Ali Khamenei; Ahmadinejad said that Iran would provide aid to assist in the development of The Gambia, and he and Jammeh spoke of deepening ties between the two countries.[11][12]
In January 2007, Jammeh claimed he could cure HIV/AIDS and asthma with natural herbs. Some patients are said to have improved through his treatment, but he has also been criticized for promoting unscientific treatment that could have dangerous results.[13]. The full text of his speech seems to suggest that the 'cure' may in fact be addressing intestinal parasites ("With regards to HIV/Aids, they should be kept at a place that has adequate toilets facilities because they can be going to toilet every five minutes.") [14].
Notes
- ^ Background Note: The Gambia, U.S. Department of State, March 2006.
- ^ Country Report on Human Rights Practices for The Gambia, U.S. Department of State, March 4 2002.
- ^ "Thousands protest peacefully at murder of journalist", IRIN, December 22 2004.
- ^ a b "Gambian opposition claims fraud", BBC News, September 25 2006.
- ^ "Attempted coup averted, government says", IRIN, March 22 2006.
- ^ "Arrests over Gambia 'coup plot'", BBC News, March 28 2006.
- ^ "Suspected Gambian coupists before court martial", afrol News, October 6, 2006.
- ^ "Gambia jails army coup plotters", Reuters (IOL), April 20, 2007.
- ^ "Gambian president is re-elected", BBC News, September 23 2006.
- ^ "Gambia's Jammeh takes oath for new term", AFP (IOL), December 15, 2006.
- ^ "Pressure has no impact on Iran-Gambia ties: Ahmadinejad", Islamic Republic News Agency, December 4, 2006.
- ^ "Gambia Calls for Expansion of Ties with Iran", Fars News Agency, December 4, 2006.
- ^ "President's 'HIV cure' condemned", BBC News, February 2, 2007.
- ^ "Jammeh starts curing HIV/AIDS patients today", Daily Observer (Gambia), 18 January 2007.