Gambia’s former president Yahya Jammeh has been barred from entry into the United States.
Mr Jammeh who ruled the Gambia from July 1994 to December 2016, is currently living in exile in Equatorial Guinea following his defeat in the general elections.
His regime is accused of committing serious rights abuses including torture and arbitrary detention.
According to Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, the decision to deny Mr Jammeh entry to the United States is ‘due to his involvement in significant corruption.’
Mr Jammeh’s Moroccan wife , Zineb Jammeh And His two children, Mariam Jammeh and Muhammad Yahya Jammeh have also been slapped with the ban.
“The United States is committed to combating corruption, increasing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and promoting good governance globally,” Mr Pompeo said.
“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.”
It’s better late than never!
We are quite disappointed with the language and reason for the ban. This man is a KILLER and we asked that he should be declared persona non grata not because of corruption, but because he is a serial killer who declared an illegal war against the citizens of The Gambia, he viewed us, all of us, as enemy combatants and he killed ALL in his path.
Now that he cannot return to Potomac and will most likely loose his home near DC, let us hope that his mentor and next door neighbor, Obiang does not purchase this property in trust for YJ. The Barrow administration must protest in the strongest terms to US state department and take ownership of this property. It was afterall bought with money from our social security. At last appraisal the home is worth over $5M. That money can be used to improve school infrastructure, hire good teachers and buy books for our children.
Lastly YJ wife is a co conspirator in his criminal enterprise, his children are innocent bystanders. Collateral damage. Those young children are innocent and should not be tainted by acts beyond their control and understanding. They did not choose their parents.
For me the significance of this latest sanctions on Jammeh and family, lies in forewarning those elements within the current government who are using the corridors of power trying to rehabilitate Jammeh! So that they can turn around and downplay the man’s wanton destruction of Gambia’s socio-economic fabric.
The president, cabinet members, NAMs etc are forwarned. Corruption will not go unpunished. The arm of global accountability is long and patient.