Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh
| Yahya Jammeh | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 2nd President of the Gambia | |
|
In office 29 September 1996 – 21 January 2017 |
|
| Vice President | Isatou Njie-Saidy |
| Preceded by | Dawda Jawara |
| Succeeded by | Adama Barrow |
| Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council | |
|
In office 22 July 1994 – 29 September 1996 |
|
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jammeh 25 May 1965 Kanilai, the Gambia |
| Political party | Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction |
| Spouse(s) |
Zeinab Soumah (1999–present) Alima Sallah (2010–2011, div.) Tuti Faal (1994–1998, div.) |
| Children | 2 |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Gambia
|
| Service/branch | Gambian National Gendarmerie Gambian National Army |
| Years of service | 1984–1996 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | Military Police |
Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (born 25 May 1965) is a Gambian politician and former military officer who ruled over the Gambia from 1994 to 2017, firstly as chair of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) (1994-96), and latterly as President of the Gambia (1996-2017).
Jammeh was born in Kanilai, a Muslim of the Jola ethnic group. He attended Gambia High School in Banjul from 1978 to 1983 and served in the Gambia National Gendarmerie from 1984 to 1989. He was then commissioned as an officer of the Gambia National Army, commanding the Military Police from 1992 to 1994. In July 1994, he led a bloodless coup d'etat that overthrew the government of Dawda Jawara and installed himself as chairman of AFPRC, a military junta, and ruled by decree until his election as president in 1996.
Jammeh was re-elected as president in 2001, 2006 and 2011, but lost to Adama Barrow in 2016. His time in office saw the oppression of journalists, LGBT people, and opposition parties. He also led various charitable efforts and led peace efforts in the region. His foreign policy led to a constantly strained relationship with the sole neighbouring country of Senegal. In 2013, Jammeh withdrew the Gambia from the Commonwealth of Nations, and in 2016 he began the process of withdrawing it from the International Criminal Court (later rescinded by the Barrow government).
Jammeh was born on 25 May 1965 in Kanilai, a village in the Foni Kansala district of the Western Division. He is the son of Aja Fatou Ashombi Bojang, a housewife and trader, and Abdul Aziz James Junkung Jammeh, a career wrestler. Jammeh's grandparents migrated to the Gambia from the Casamance region of Senegal. He had a rural upbringing as part of a Muslim Jola family, primarily focused in Kanilai. One of his closest childhood friends was reportedly Mustapha James Kujabi. He attended Kanilai primary school, Saint Edwards primary school in Bwiam, from 1972 to 1978. Due to his result in the common entrance (CE) exam, he was awarded a government scholarship to Gambia High School in Banjul, in 1978. His formal education ended after he received his O Levels in 1983.
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