Jammeh Vows to Return to Power: Former Gambian Dictator Declares Intention to Retake Control of Party
Former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh has made a bold declaration to retake control of his political party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), and return to The Gambia. In an audio message to supporters, Jammeh stated, “Today, I have decided to take over my party myself and will not entrust it to anyone again”.
Despite living in exile in Equatorial Guinea since 2017, Jammeh remains a significant influence in Gambian politics. His declaration comes at a time when a special court backed by ECOWAS is preparing to prosecute crimes from his regime, with the Gambian government supporting legal action against him and 70 others.
Undeterred by the prospect of prosecution, Jammeh issued a defiant warning, saying, “Let those threatening me with jail wait until I arrive. A day of accountability is coming, and it will be a day of reckoning”.
Jammeh’s return to politics is likely to stir controversy, given the allegations of torture, death squads, and other abuses that marred his 22-year rule. However, he remains confident in his ability to reclaim his legacy and restore order to The Gambia.
In his audio message, Jammeh accused the current Gambian administration of mismanaging the country, highlighting issues such as rising crime rates, deteriorating healthcare, and alleged corruption. He claimed that Gambians now live in worse conditions than during his rule, which ended amidst accusations of human rights abuses and financial improprieties.
The Gambia government has assured citizens that Jammeh’s asylum in Equatorial Guinea is an ECOWAS/AU arrangement, and that he will remain in exile until agreed upon by the parties involved. However, Jammeh’s declaration has sparked concerns about his potential return and the implications for The Gambia’s political landscape.