In this explainer, DUBAWA analyses The Gambia\u2019s democratization from dictatorship to post-democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Yahya Jammeh era in The Gambia lasted from 1994 to 2017 and was marked by the suppression of democracy, human rights abuses<\/a>, and the consolidation of power by President Yahya Jammeh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mr Jammeh came to power through a military coup in 1994, overthrowing the democratically elected government of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. He initially ruled the country by decree, suspending the constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, in 1997, a new constitution was introduced, and Jammeh was elected President,<\/a> giving the appearance of a return to democratic rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite this, Jammeh ruled with an iron fist, suppressing freedom of expression and dissent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under his regime, journalists, activists, lawyers, and political opponents were brutalised. There was the use of brute force, torture, and arbitrary detention to silence anyone who criticised his government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The media, judiciary, security forces, and other state institutions were all controlled by him, allowing him to exercise absolute power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mr Jammeh also manipulated the constitution to consolidate his power, amending it over 52 times.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Under his regime, draconian laws were enacted, violating the rights of citizens and further suppressing dissent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gambia became isolated from the international community during Jammeh\u2019s rule, as he declared thecountry<\/a> an Islamic state and controlled the narrative through a parallel state machinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The true extent of the human rights abuses committed during his regime only became known after a democratic change of government led to the establishment of a Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The New Democratic Dispensation, led by President Adama Barrow, has expressed its commitment to restoring good governance and respecting the rule of law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This led to the establishment of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in The Gambia, which is a significant step towards addressing the human rights abuses and injustices committed during the Yahya Jammeh era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This pursuit of justice is crucial for meaningful truth-seeking, reconciliation, and healing in The Gambia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The TRRC investigation and report provided a platform for victims to share their stories and seek reparations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The report and recommendations, including constitutional and legislative changes, institutional reforms, and prosecutions, aim to ensure accountability and prevent such abuses from happening again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After securing re-election, President Barrow promised The Gambians a new constitution once again, even after rejecting the 2020 draft constitution, which seeks to replace the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia and establish a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2020 rejected Draft Constitution would have introduced significant changes such as Presidential term limits, quotas for women\u2019s participation, parliamentary vetting of the appointment of senior public officers and limitations on the power of the executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2020 draft also introduced socio-economic rights and had a more progressive bill of rights provisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2020 draft would have marked a significant departure from the 1997 constitution, which former President Yahya Jammeh amended over 52 times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2017, The Gambia witnessed a significant increase in the number of political parties compared to how it was during the era of exiled President Yahya Jammeh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The country has also witnessed increased media outlets, which has seen considerable progress in press freedom since the end of Mr Jammeh\u2019s 22-year dictatorship in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The criminalisation of defamation was declared unconstitutional in 2018, attacks on journalists have decreased, and new media outlets have been launched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Adama Barrow\u2019s inauguration as president in January 2017, the state-owned broadcaster has lost its monopoly, and many radio and TV outlets, both privately owned and community-based, have been created. The Gambia has 45 radio stations, one of which is state-owned; five TV channels, four privately owned; and four dailies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cherno Jallow, a veteran The Gambian journalist who is also named after the Gambia Press Union (GPU) Code of Ethics for Journalists, gave an overview of press freedom and highlighted several factors that affect press freedom and freedom of expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe press and the government have a role to play, representing the public’s interest. The press should not think they can do things alone, and the government, too, should know they cannot do things alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in developed countries, journalists face challenges where they have been regarded as enemies of the state. In The Gambia, it happened during the era of President Jawara and Yahya Jammeh, too, and this continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now we see journalists interfering with people\u2019s privacy all in the name of journalism. This is not right,\u201d he said. Mr Jallow said press freedom depends on how one interprets it and what factors they consider to be press freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe press should not allow it to be used, and they should jealously protect their integrity. Journalists should not think they are above the law, and the government should also know that they are not above the law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The veteran journalist expressed disappointment over the conduct of some journalists, especially those working online and radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat we see in the media, especially online, is terrible. If you listen to radios, you will hear people saying certain words that are not good,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He advised journalists to rise above the moment’s emotions and focus on the issues<\/p>\n\n\n\n .<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the coming of President Adama Barrow into power, most Gambians regard the country\u2019s media as free <\/a>and not subject to governmental interference. They operate without censorship and accurately reflect the country\u2019s diverse opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, in early 2020, two privately owned radio stations, King FM and Home Digital FM, were closed for one month. Their directors were detained for four days for \u201cinciting hatred\u201d by covering political demonstrations organised by a pressure group called \u20183-Years-Jotna\u2019 (Meaning the three years are over), opposition parties which turned violent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pressure group was calling on President Adama Barrow to honour the verbal agreement of the coalition 2016 for him to serve only three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The government does not particularly target the media, but there is no political will to protect journalists by passing laws that safeguard their interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A law on access to information was adopted in 2021. This was a historic moment in a country that, for the first time, recognised access to information as a human right.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nDemocratic Dispensation under President Barrow<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Political Landscape<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Media landscape<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Political context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Legal framework<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n