The Gambian government has issued a firm warning to former president Yahya Jammeh following his recent announcement of a planned return to the country in November 2025. Authorities say Jammeh will face arrest and prosecution for alleged crimes committed during his 22-year rule if he sets foot on Gambian soil.
No Immunity, No Exceptions In a statement released Tuesday, officials in Banjul emphasized that Jammeh remains a person of interest in ongoing investigations tied to the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The commission linked him to serious human rights violations, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and other abuses.
Jammeh’s Message to Supporters The warning follows a recorded message Jammeh shared with thousands of supporters in his hometown of Kanilai, where he hinted at leading a faction of his former ruling party. He claimed to have agreements with international bodies like the AU, ECOWAS, the UN, and the EU supporting his return—though no such immunity has been confirmed.
A Right to Return, But Not to Escape Justice While the government acknowledged Jammeh’s constitutional right to return as a Gambian citizen, it made clear that this right does not exempt him from accountability. President Adama Barrow had previously warned of arrest should Jammeh attempt to end his exile.
A Troubled Legacy Jammeh fled to Equatorial Guinea in January 2017 after a tense political standoff following the disputed 2016 election. His initial concession of defeat to Barrow was quickly reversed, plunging the country into crisis.
As November approaches, the government’s message is unequivocal: Jammeh’s return will not be a homecoming—it will be a reckoning.
Source: Africanews, October 29, 2025