European Asylum Support Office

EASO
Country of Origin
Information Report
The Gambia
Country Focus

December 2017SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

European Asylum Support Office

EASO
Country of Origin
Information Report
The Gambia
Country Focus

December 2017

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EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 3

Acknowledgements
EASO would like to acknowledge the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), Division Analysis,
Switzerland, as the author of this report.

The following national asylum and migration departments have reviewed the report:
Belgium, Cedoca - Documentation and Research centre, Office of the Commissioner
General for Refugees and Stateless persons
Norway - Landinfo
The Netherlands – Office for Country Information and Language Analysis, Immigration
and Naturalisation Service
David Perfect, Visiting Professor at the University of Chester-UK, researcher on The Gambia’s
politics and history since the 1980s, and author of numerous publications on the country -,reviewed this report.

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EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 3
Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... 4
Disclaimer .................................................................................................................................. 7
Glossary and Abbreviations ....................................................................................................... 8
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 10
Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 10
Map.......................................................................................................................................... 12
1. Background information...................................................................................................... 13
1.1

Geography and climate .......................................................................................... 13

1.2

Recent history ........................................................................................................ 14

1.3

Population, ethnic groups, languages .................................................................... 16
Ethnic groups ..................................................................................................... 16
Languages .......................................................................................................... 17
Official language ................................................................................................ 18
Young population............................................................................................... 18
School system .................................................................................................... 20
Migration ........................................................................................................... 22

1.4

Administrative structure ........................................................................................ 25
Summary of regions, local government areas, districts () ................................. 26

1.5State structure and politics .................................................................................... 27
Status and constitution...................................................................................... 27

1.6

Executive ................................................................................................................ 28
President ............................................................................................................ 28
President Adama Barrow ................................................................................... 29
Ex-president Yahya Jammeh .............................................................................. 30

1.7

Legislature .............................................................................................................. 31
President ............................................................................................................ 31
Parliament ......................................................................................................... 31

1.8

Judiciary ................................................................................................................. 33
Detention and prisons ....................................................................................... 35

1.9

Security forces, army, police .................................................................................. 36
Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) ............................................................................. 37
National Intelligence Agency (NIA) .................................................................... 38
Police.................................................................................................................. 39

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 5

Junglers, Black Boys, Green Boys ....................................................................... 40
1.10

Economy................................................................................................................. 41
Currency, inflation ......................................................................................... 44

1.11

Religion................................................................................................................... 44
Religious affiliation ........................................................................................ 44
Political dimension of Islam........................................................................... 46

1.12Media and communication .................................................................................... 47
Radio.............................................................................................................. 48
Television....................................................................................................... 48
Newspapers, websites................................................................................... 49

1.13

Healthcare .............................................................................................................. 49

1.14

Transport system ................................................................................................... 50
Air travel ........................................................................................................ 50
Port/river traffic ............................................................................................ 51
Rail ................................................................................................................. 51
Road traffic .................................................................................................... 51

1.15

Citizenship and identity documents ...................................................................... 52
Citizenship ..................................................................................................... 52
Identity documents and civil register records ............................................... 53

2. The situation of former government officials ..................................................................... 56
2.1

Government ........................................................................................................... 56

2.2

Ambassadors .......................................................................................................... 57

2.3

Regional governors ................................................................................................ 57

2.4

Central Bank ........................................................................................................... 57

2.5

Armed forces (GAF) ................................................................................................ 57

2.6

Elite troops (State Guard, Presidential Guard) ...................................................... 58

2.7

National Intelligence Agency (NIA) ........................................................................ 59

2.8

Police ...................................................................................................................... 59

2.9

Prisons .................................................................................................................... 59

2.10

Junglers .................................................................................................................. 60

2.11

APRC officials.......................................................................................................... 61

2.12

Supporters of Jammeh ........................................................................................... 61

2.13

Uncertain power relationships .............................................................................. 61

3. Human rights ....................................................................................................................... 62
3.1

Freedom of the press ............................................................................................. 63

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EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

3.2

Death penalty ......................................................................................................... 66

3.3

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons ........................................ 66

3.4

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) ......................................................... 71

3.5

Discrimination against the Mandinka under Jammeh ........................................... 72

3.6

Witchcraft .............................................................................................................. 73

Annex 1: Bibliography.............................................................................................................. 74
Annex 2: Maps ....................................................................................................................... 119
Map 2: Regions and districts of The Gambia in 2003 () .................................................... 119
Map 3: Ferries across The Gambia () ................................................................................ 120

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 7

Disclaimer
This report was written according to the EASO COI Report Methodology (2012) (1). The reportis based on carefully selected sources of information. All sources used are referenced. To theextent possible and unless otherwise stated, all information presented, except for undisputedor obvious facts, has been cross-checked.

The information contained in this report has been researched, evaluated and analysed withutmost care. However, this document does not claim to be exhaustive. If a particular event,person or organisation is not mentioned in the report, this does not mean that the event has
not taken place or that the person or organisation does not exist.

Furthermore, this report is not conclusive as to the determination or merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum. Terminology used should not be regarded as indicative ofa particular legal position.

‘Refugee’, ‘risk’ and similar terminology are used as a generic terminology and not as legallydefined in the EU Asylum Acquis and the Geneva Convention.

Neither EASO nor any person acting on its behalf may be held responsible for the use which
may be made of the information contained in this report.

The target users are asylum caseworkers, COI researchers, policymakers, and decision-making
authorities.

The drafting of this report was finalised in 27 July 2017. Any event taking place after this dateis not included in this report. The exceptions to this cut-off date were made during the peerreviewing process completed on 30 November 2017, and are clearly identified in Bibliography.
More information on the reference period for this report can be found in the methodology
section of the introduction.

(1) The EASO methodology is largely based on the Common EU Guidelines for processing Country of Origin

Information (COI), 2008, and can be downloaded from the EASO website – COI Methodologies and Guides(https://www.easo.europa.eu/information-analysis/country-origin-information/coi-methodology-and-guides).

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EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

Glossary and Abbreviations
22nd July Movement

Youth organisation of the APRC, founded on 22 July 1995. The
movement became a mass organisation, and therefore dangerous to
Jammeh, so he dissolved it in 1999 (2).

AFPRC

Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council

AGOA

US African Growth and Opportunity Act

AIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome

AlkaloVillage chief

APRC

Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction

DSW

Department of Social Welfare

ECOWAS

Economic Community of West African States

FGM/C

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

GAF

Gambia Armed Forces

GAMBISThe Gambia Biometric Identification System

GDP

Gross Domestic Product

GER

Gross Enrolment Ration

GNA

Gambia National Army

GNG

Gambia National Gendarmerie

GNI

Gross National Income

GPF

Gambia Police Force

GRA

Gambia Revenue Authority

Green Boys

Youth group that arose from the 22nd July Movement; they were themilitary wing of the ruling APRC party, known as Green Boys because
green is the party colour of APRC. Jammeh officially dissolved thegroup in 1999 (3).

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

ICRC

International Committee of the Red Cross

IEC

Independent Electoral Commission(2) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 252.
(3) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 192, 252; Washington Post (The), 5 crazy things
about the Gambian dictator who just survived a coup attempt, 6 January 2015 (url); AllAfrica / Daily Observer (The),
Gambia: ‘GreenBoys’ Clarify, 11 February 2007 (url); Guardian (The), Gambian state kidnaps 1’000 villagers in masspurge of ‘witchcraft’, 19 March 2009 (url); Wazaonline, The Gambia’s secret torture chambers, 12 March 2010(url); Small Arms Survey, Armed and Aimless: Armed Groups, Guns, and Human Security in The Ecowas Region, 29
April 2005 (url), pp. 263-265.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 9

Junglers

Paramilitary unit of ex-president Jammeh (also known as BlackBlacks, Black Boys or Ninja). They were known as ‘black’ because theyoften dressed in black and covered their faces (4).

LBE

Lower basic education

LGA

Local government areas

LGBT

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

NALA

National Agency for Legal Aid

NDEA

National Drug Enforcement Agency

NER

Net Enrolment Ratio

NIA

National Intelligence Agency

NIN

National Identification Number

NYC

National Youth Council

Operation Bulldozer

The Gambia’s zero tolerance campaign to reduce violent crime,
launched by Jammeh in May 2012. LGBT persons were specificallytargeted by this campaign (5)PPPPeople’s Progressive Party

Seyfo

District authority chief

SIS

State Intelligence Service

SSE

Senior secondary education

UBE

Upper basic education

UDP

United Democratic Party

UNCTAD

United Nations Conference on Trade and Developments

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

USA

United States of America(4) Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election, 13 March 2017(url).
(5) HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url).

10 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

Introduction
This report was drafted by the Country of Origin Information (COI) unit of the State Secretariat
for Migration (SEM) and provides a summary of the SEM’s findings on selected topics
regarding The Gambia.
This report was translated into English. An extended quality review was performed by COI
specialists from EU+ countries, by an external expert and by EASO. All drafters and reviewers
are mentioned in the Acknowledgements section.
There are still some gaps in the information. These relate to contradictory or out-of-date
information, for example in relation to the administrative structure and military forces. The
information about identity papers and civil register records is incomplete. While statements
of intent by the new government are well documented, reliable information about concrete
implementation measures is often lacking.
A change of course commenced with the election of Adama Barrow as the new President of
The Gambia in December 2016, bringing new challenges in terms of the assessment ofsources: a large number of publications, especially concerning human rights, have been
published or researched under the regime of ex-president Jammeh. It is still difficult to assess
the stage that the expected reforms have reached and how long-lasting they will be. Gambian
daily newspapers, which have followed the reform process attentively and critically since thechange of government, are an important source of information and are given a corresponding
amount of space. However, they comment on ongoing developments rather than being able
to engage in analytical systematisation. More extensive analyses of the new government
policy have yet to be undertaken.
This study therefore merely represents an initial inventory during a period of rapid change
when the power relationships are still uncertain.

Methodology
Defining the Terms of Reference

In a ‘Country Focus’ report, EASO aims to provide information focusing on ‘selected topics’ ofparticular relevance for international protection status determination (Refugee Status andSubsidiary Protection) for Gambian applicants. It is not meant to be a general description of
the human rights situation in the country, nor a comprehensive overview of all topics at stake
in international protection status determination.
The terms of reference (ToR) reflect the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration need for
information on:oooGeneral background information on The Gambia (geography, population, ethnic
and religious groups, political and judicial systems);
The human right’s situation in The Gambia during the Jammeh administration;
The developments under the new Gambian administration, particularly
concerning human rights.

Collecting information

This country focus is largely based on academic publications relating to The Gambia. Research
work from various fields such as anthropology and politics, as well as handbooks andoverviews, are the most important sources of information for the General information andState structure and politics sections.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 11

Statistics from the Gambian administration were also an important source of information,with the Gambian Bureau of Statistics periodically publishing a Statistical Abstract.
Publications by international or non-governmental organisations and from national,
international and diaspora media provided other data. Additional information was obtained
from Gambian diplomatic representations in Europe.
All consulted sources are listed in the Bibliography.
The peer-reviewing process of this Country Focus report on The Gambia occurred between 13
September 2017 and 30 November 2017. During that process, information from a limited
number of sources was added to the text, with the purpose of complementing or updating
the existing draft. These sources and information used are clearly identified by their accessdates in the Bibliography.
Quality control

In order to ensure that the authors respected the EASO COI Report Methodology, a quality
review was carried out by COI specialists from the countries listed as reviewers in the
Acknowledgments, and by EASO. In addition, an external reviewer - Dr. David Perfect -, hasalso reviewed the report. All comments made by the reviewers were taken into considerationand most of them were implemented in the final draft of this report.


Structure of the report

This report is divided into three main chapters: the first provides general backgroundinformation on topics like geography, population, administration, state structure or the
security forces in The Gambia. The second chapter describes the situation of the former
government officials, and the third and last chapter provides an insight on the human rights
situation under ex-President Yahya Jammeh. Developments since the change of government
in January 2017 are available throughout the document.

12 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

Map

Map 1: CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). (6)(6) CIA, The World Factbook, The Gambia, page last updated 19 September 2017 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 13

1. Background information
1.1 Geography and climate
The Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland. With an area of 11,295 km2 it isquarter the size of Switzerland or The Netherlands. The country follows the course of theGambia River for a distance of 375 kilometres and extends into the interior on both sides of
the river. The average width of the country is 24 kilometres, but the area around the estuary
and the lower river is almost 50 km wide. Apart from the 80 km long Atlantic coastal line in
the west, The Gambia is completely surrounded by the Republic of Senegal, which isseventeen times larger. (7)The landscape is shaped by the Gambia River, which flows from east to west. It rises in Guinea,
meanders in many bends towards the Atlantic and has numerous tributaries, islands andpeninsulas. It forms an estuary before flowing into the Atlantic close to Banjul, the capital of
The Gambia. The estuary area consists of mangrove swamps. The landscape in The Gambia is
generally flat, with the highest elevations reaching less than 60 metres. The gentle gradientmeans that salt water flows inland for over 150 kilometres. (8)Along the Atlantic coast, the climate is oceanic with small temperature differences between
day and night and between summer and winter. In the interior the climate is tropical,
characterised by a marked rainy and dry season. The rainy season lasts from about June to
October and the dry season from November to May. During the rainy season, the river floods
the lowlands, leaving behind fertilising silt. The dry period is determined by the Harmattan, adry wind from the Sahara. (9)The geographical features are also reflected in the national flag. Red symbolises the sun, blue
the Gambia River, green agriculture, white peace and unity: (10)Image 1: The flag of The Gambia (© SEM, Division Analysis, Switzerland).

(7) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 524.
(8) Gambia (The), GBoS, Atlas of 2003 Population and Housing Census, 2006 (url), p. 8; Transafrika, Gambia,
Länderinfo, n.d. (url).
(9) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of theWorld,Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 524; Jaiteh, Malanding S., and Sarr, Baboucarr, Climate Change
and Development in the Gambia, 2011 (url); Transafrika, Gambia, Länderinfo, n.d. (url).
(10) Encyclopaedia Britannica, Flag of the Gambia, 2 September 2001 (url); The flag of The Gambia was adopted at
independence in 1965. Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 171.

14 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

1.2 Recent history
For many centuries, the northern and southern areas along the Gambia River belonged tovarious Mandinka kingdoms of the Mali Empire.(11) Among the European colonial powers, theBritish, Portuguese and French in particular fought for supremacy over Senegambia, the area
between the Gambia and Senegal Rivers. Bathurst (which became later Banjul) andsurroundings became a British colony, while the rest of the country became a protectorate ofGreat Britain. (12) The border between The Gambia, which was originally British, and Senegal,
which was then French, was established at the end of the 19th century and remained globally
identical apart from some minor adjustments made in the 1970s. The unusual boundary line
runs parallel to the Gambia River, a central West African trading route for slaves and goods.
For centuries, Senegambia was a centre of the West African slave trade. The British banned
the trade in 1807 but internal slave trade continued until the end of the 19th century. (13)On 18 February 1965 The Gambia gained independence and became a sovereign state of theCommonwealth. Following a referendum in 1970, The Gambia became a republic. (14) The
president of the First Republic was the former Prime Minister, Dawda Jawara. He was reelected five times by 1994. (15)
In 1981 Jawara defeated a bloody attempted coup with the aid of Senegalese troops. He thenbuilt up his own army and united The Gambia with Senegal in the Senegambia Confederation.
This confederation lasted until 1989. (16)
In 1994 Yahya Jammeh came to power in a bloodless military coup. (17) For two years, thecountry was run by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) led by Jammeh. In
1996 Jammeh was confirmed as president in elections and re-elected in 2001, 2006 and 2011.
(18) He and his party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) (19), havedominated the country ever since. In 2013 Jammeh announced the country’s immediate(11) Sarr, Assan, Islam, Power, and Dependency in the Gambia River Basin, 2016, pp. 21-22; Quinn, Charlotte A.,
Mandigo Kingdoms of the Senegambia, 1972.
(12) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 91; Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, Young Men and
Rural Permanence in Migrant West Africa, 2015, p. 24.
(13) The borders of The Gambia were defined in 1889 in an agreement between Great Britain and France. Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 2-8, 347, 401; Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs ofGambia, 2012, p. 3; Barry, Boubacar, Senegambia and the Atlantic slave trade, 1998, pp. 5-25, 303-314; Gaibazzi,
Paolo, Migration, Soninké Young Men and the Dynamics of Staying Behind (The Gambia), March 2010, pp. 35-37;
Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, Young Men and Rural Permanence in Migrant West Africa, 2015, p. 24.
(14) Hughes, Arnold and Perfect, David, A Political History of The Gambia, 1816-1994, 2006, pp. 175-177.
(15) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 524;
Perfect, David and Hughes, Arnold, Gambian Electoral Politics: 1960-2012, 2013, pp. 79-111.
(16) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 524.
Hughes, Arnold and Perfect, David, A Political History of The Gambia, 1816-1994, 2006, pp. 261-265.
(17) Perfect, David, The Gambia under Yahya Jammeh: An Assessment, 12 March 2010 (url), pp. 53-54; Hughes,
Arnold and Perfect, David, A Political History of The Gambia, 1816-1994, 2006, pp. 280-290; Saine, Abdoulaye S.M.,
The Coup d’Etat in The Gambia, 1994: the End of the First Republic, 1996, pp. 97-111; Sarr, Samsudeen, Coup d’Etat
by the Gambia National Army, 2007.
(18) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 524;
Perfect, David, The Gambia under Yahya Jammeh: An Assessment, 12 March 2010 (url), pp. 36-37, 54-56; Perfect,
David and Hughes, Arnold, Gambian Electoral Politics: 1960-2012, 2013, pp. 79-111; Perfect, David, Historical
Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 36-37.
(19) On the APRC, see Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 31-32.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 15

withdrawal from the Commonwealth. (20) In 2015 he declared The Gambia an Islamic
Republic21. In 2016 he announced the country’s exit from the International Criminal Court. (22)In a surprise result, Jammeh was defeated in the presidential election in December 2016.
Instead the opposition candidate, Adama Barrow, was elected as president. Jammeh initiallyaccepted his defeat, but after a few days he contested the result of the election due to alleged
irregularities and declared a state of emergency. (23) The country found itself in aconstitutional crisis. (24) International protests, weeks of negotiations and the intervention of
troops from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), legitimated by aresolution of the UN Security Council (25), brought the crisis to an end without bloodshed. (26)As the crisis intensified, at least 45,000 Gambians left the country temporarily and sought
protection in Senegal. (27) On 19 January 2017 Barrow took the oath of office at the Gambian
Embassy in Senegal. On 21 January 2017 Jammeh left the country and went into exile inEquatorial Guinea. On 26 January 2017 Barrow returned to The Gambia. (28)
In his first statements, Barrow announced that The Gambia would return to the
Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court and was no longer an Islamic Republic.
(29)(20) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 92-93; Perfect, David, The Gambia’s Withdrawal
from the Commonwealth, 2014 (url), pp. 331-333.
(21) US DoS, International Religious Freedom Report, The Gambia 2015, 10 August 2016 (url); Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 215.
(22) EUISS, Beyond the ICC exit crisis, 2 December 2016 (url); Al-Jazeera, Gambia withdraws from International
Criminal Court, 26 October 2016 (url).
(23) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), pp. 323-337;
Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election, 13 March 2017 (url),
pp. 321-340.
(24) Library of Congress, Gambia: State of Emergency Lifted, 30 January 2017 (url).
(25) UN Security Council, Resolution 2337, Peace consolidation in West Africa, 19 January 2017 (url); Kress, Claus,
and Nussberger, Benjamin, Pro-democratic intervention in current international law: the case of The Gambia in
January 2017, June 2017 (url), pp. 1-11.
(26) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), pp. 323-337;
Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election, 13 March 2017 (url),
pp. 321-340; Kress, Claus, and Nussberger, Benjamin, Zur pro-demokratischen Intervention im Völkerrecht derGegenwart. Der Fall Gambia im Januar 2017, 25 April 2017 (url), pp. 213-227; Hartmann, Christof, ECOWAS andthe Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia, January 2017 (url), pp. 85-99. NZZ, 22 Jahre reichen Gambias Diktator
doch nicht, 10 December 2016 (url); BBC, Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow arrives home, 26 January 2017(url).
(27) Estimates suggest that between 45,000 and 76,000 people temporarily sought protection in Senegal. UNHCR,
Senegal: Around 45,000 have fled political uncertainty in The Gambia, 20 January 2017 (url); UNHCR, As Gambia
crisis passes, displaced return from Senegal, 24 January 2017 (url); Hartmann, Christof, ECOWAS and the
Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia, January 2017 (url), pp. 85-99; African Centre for the Constructive
Resolution of Disputes (The), In Defense of Democracy: Lessons from ECOWAS’ Management of The Gambia’s 2016
Post-Election Impassse, January 2017 (url).
(28) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Jammeh Leaves Power, 6 February 2017 (url), pp. 21275-21277; NZZ,
Jammeh verkündet Rücktritt, 21 January 2017 (url); BBC, Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow arrives home, 26
January 2017 (url).
(29) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia. Jammeh Leaves Power, 6 February 2017 (url), pp. 21275-21277; Voice ofAmerica (The), Gambian President Jammeh Says He Will Not Step Down, 20 December 2016 (url); Africa
confidential, Gambia at the cliff-edge, 16 December 2016 (url); BAMF, Briefing Notes, 6 February 2017 (url); KAS,
<Gambia is back>, La stabilité de la Gambie, un enjeu pour le Sénégal, February 2017 (url); Africanews, The Gambia
will remain in the ICC – President Barrow confirms, 9 February 2017 (url); HRW, Gambia Rejoins ICC, 17 February
2017 (url).

16 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

1.3 Population, ethnic groups, languages
The Gambia is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. (30) According to the2013 census, the country had a population of 1.857,181. (31) A current estimate puts the
population at 2,051,363 in July 2017- of these, 60% are younger than 25. (32) Life expectancy
in 2013 was 61.8 years for men and 66.5 years for women. (33)
58% of the population lives in cities and suburbs. (34) The three local government areas Banjul,
Kanifing and Brikama at the mouth of the Gambia River are the centre of business and tourism.
In general, they have better infrastructure than the other areas. They also have the country’s
best healthcare facilities and schools. The Kanifing and Brikama LGAs have the highest
population, while the Kanifing and Banjul LGAs are the most densely populated. (35)The capital of The Gambia is Banjul with an estimated population of 31,000 in 2013. (36) Other
important cities are Serrekunda and Brikama. Up-to-date official population figures for thecities are unavailable as the censuses collect data for the local government areas and districts
but not for the cities. (37)Ethnic groups
The most important ethnic groups in The Gambia are:


Mandinka (also known as Mandingo, Mende, Malinke, including Jahanka), around 34% of
the Gambian population, i.e. excluding non-Gambians, in 2013; (38)Fula (also known as Fulbe Fulani, Peul, including Tukulur, Lorobo), around 24.1%; (39)
Wolof (or Wollof), 14.8%; (40)
Jola (also known as Diola, including Karoninka), around 10.5%; (41)(30) World Bank (The), Country Overview, The Gambia, updated 13 February 2017 (url); Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture
and Customs of Gambia, 2012, p. 1.
(31) Gambia (The), GBoS, The Gambia 2013 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Results, 2013 (url), p. 6;
Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), p. 1.
(32) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, last updated 27 September 2017 (url); Church, R.J. Harrison, The
Gambia: Physical and Social Geography, 2015, p. 524; Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017(url), p. 1.
(33) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionnary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 117.
(34) World Bank (The), Country Overview, The Gambia, updated 13 February 2017 (url); Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013
Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 5.
(35) Gambia (The), GBoS, The Gambia 2013 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Results, 2013 (url), pp. 712; Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs of Gambia, 2012, p. 7; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A
sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 330-331; Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March2017 (url), Table 1.5.
(36) Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 24.
(37) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 534;
Gambia (The), GBoS, The Gambia 2013 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Results, 2013 (url).
(38) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp283-284; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn,
Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 333-334; CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia,
19 June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 12.
(39) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, S. 160; Kasper Juffermans, Caroline McGlynn, A
sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), p. 334; CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url).
Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 12.
(40) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 445; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A
sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), p. 335; CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url).
Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 12.
(41) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 247-248; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn,
Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 335-336, 353; CIA, The World Factbook: The
Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d.
(url), p. 12.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS







— 17

Serahuli (also known as Serahule, Sarakole and Soninke), around 8.2%; (42)Serer (or Serere), 3.1%; (43)Manjago (also known as Manjack), around 1.9%; (44)Bambara, 1.3%; (45)Aku, 0.5%. (46)

President Barrow is a member of the largest ethnic group, the Mandinka. Ex-president
Jammeh is from the Jola ethnic group. (47) Many Gambian are of mixed ethnic origin. (48)
Languages
None of the local languages in The Gambia is spoken exclusively in The Gambia. They are also
spoken in neighbouring countries. In the following list of languages, it should be noted that
there is not a perfect match between ethnic group and language as a significant part of the
population speaks several languages. In urban areas, for example, many people from diverse
ethnic groups speak Wolof, which has become a lingua franca. The languages that are mostfrequently spoken in The Gambia are: (49)







Mandinka (including Jahanka) (50)
Wolof
Fula (or Fulfulde, Peul, including Tukulor and Lorobo) (51)Serahule (or Soninke Sarakole, Maraka)
Jola (or Diola, including Karoninka) (52)Serer (or Serere)(42) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 283-284, 393; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn,
Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 333-334; CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia,
19 June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), , p.
12; Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs of Gambia, 2012, p. 12.
(43) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 394; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A
sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), p. 337; CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url);Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 12.
(44) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 284; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A
sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), p. 337; CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url);Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 12.
(45) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 51; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A
sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 337-338; CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017(url); Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 12.
(46) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia,
2016, pp. 30-33; Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), p.
338; Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), p. 12.
(47) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 247-248, 283-284; Access Gambia, President ofGambia – Yahya Jammeh, n.d. (url).
(48) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 247-248, 283-284; Access Gambia, President ofGambia – Yahya Jammeh, n.d. (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 248; Access
Gambia, Gambian Culture, Tradition & Society, n.d. (url); Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs of Gambia, 2012,
p. 17.
(49) Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 332-352;
Leclerc, Jacques, L’aménagement linguistique dans le monde: Gambie, last updated 24 December 2015 (url);
Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 267-268.
(50) Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 332, 352,
Footonote 3.
(51) Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 332, 352,
Footnote 3.
(52) Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 332, 352,
Footonote 3.

18 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

Manjago (or Mandjak)Aku (Creole, based on English) (53)
Official language

Official correspondence is conducted in English, which has been the country’s official language
since the start of the colonial period. (54) Following the exit from the Commonwealth, Jammehannounced in 2014 that English would no longer be the official language. However, he did not
say when this decision would take effect and which language would take the place of English
as the new official language. (55) In the media, it was speculated or claimed that Arabic was
the new official language. (56) English was never formally replaced as the official language.
According to information from the Swiss Embassy in Dakar, Jammeh’s announcement was not
implemented in practice. (57)
One of the first official acts of the new president, Adama Barrow, in February 2017 was toannounce The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth. (58)Young population
40% of the population is less than 14 years old; 60% of the population is younger than 25. (59)Youth unemployment in The Gambia is high: in 2012 over 44% of the youth aged 15-24 wasunemployed. Young people under 25 are more likely to experience unemployment in urban
areas (47%) than in rural areas (44.2%). The unemployment rate is higher among young
women (49.4%) than among young men (38.1%). (60)
At state level, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (61) is responsible for matters concerning young
people. It has links with the National Youth Council (NYC) and its many youth organisations.
(62)
The primary objective of many children of affluent parents is to study in Europe, the USA or
elsewhere (see Section 1.3.5 School system). (63)Many young people, particularly those from poorer families, leave school early. In 2013,
almost 25% of the youth under 20 had had no schooling at all. (64) In 2012, about 91% of the
15-24 years had had no vocational training. (65) A large number of youths spend most of their(53) Aku Aku is not a native language. Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The
Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 333.
(54) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 267-268; Leclerc, Jacques, L’aménagement
linguistique dans le monde: Gambie, last updated 24 December 2015 (url).
(55) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 530;
Africa Review, Jammeh to replace English as Gambia’s official language, 12 March 2014 (url).
(56) Arabic Online, Arabic and Islam in the Gambia, 10 July 2015 (url); Leclerc, Jacques, L’aménagement linguistiquedans le monde: Gambie, last updated 24 December 2015 (url); Afrik.com, Gambie : Yahye Jammeh choisit l’arabe
comme langue officielle, 25 March 2014 (url).
(57) Swiss Embassy in Dakar-Senegal, written communication with SEM, 20 April 2017.
(58) Telegraph (The), Gambia to rejoin the Commonwealth within months, Boris Johnson announces ahead of trip,
13 Feberuary 2017 (url).
(59) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Church, R.J. Harrison, The Gambia: Physical andSocial Geography, 2015, p. 524; Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs of Gambia, 2012, p. 1.
(60) Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), p. 48.
(61) Access Gambia, Ministry of Youth & Sports, n.d. (url).
(62) Gambia National Youth Council (The), Publications, n.d. (url).
(63) Materu, Peter and Edsand, Hans-Erik, Toward an integrated University of The Gambia, Conceptual Arguments,
Rationale and Possible next Steps, Draft, n.d. (url), pp. 10, 28-38.
(64) Paolo Gaibazzi, New York/Oxford. Bush Bound: Young Men and Rural Permanence in Migrant West Africa,
2015, pp. 122-125; Birzle, Maike, Erwachsenwerden in Gambia. In: Freiburger Ethnologische Arbeitsparpiere 21,
2012 (url), pp. 21-31; Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), p. 114.
(65) Gambia (The), GBoS, The Gambia Labour Force Survey (GLFS 2012) Final Report, February 2013 (url), p. 46.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 19

spare timein so-called ghettos or crews. These terms, borrowed from the gangsta rap culture,describe groups of 10 to 15 men of the same age who gather in open spaces or vous (fromrendez-vous). They give their groups names of dream destinations, European football teams
or from hip-hop culture. Most crews or ghettos consist of young people from the sameneighbourhood, whereas ethnicity and religion seem irrelevant. Migration is an important
topic of conversation. (66)An alternative to migration abroad for young people without any vocational training is
working in tourism along the Atlantic coast. A much-discussed topic here is sex work, inparticular the ‘sugar-daddy’ and ‘sugar-mama’ relationships which are based on inequality interms of age and wealth. For young Gambians, these may be linked with the hope of finding
a future in Europe. (67) Some foreign tourists specifically come in search of sex with children.
(68)
Female sex workers are known as chaggas and males as beach boys or bumsters, (69) though
this terms can also refer more broadly to young men who try to get in touch with tourists (70).
The people and their traditional leaders or elders regard bumsters and chaggas as a productof western tourism and as something alien. (71) They are the target of ideological attacks byIslamic circles or the State. (72) Homosexual relationships, in particular, have been the focusof state criticism or repression under the Jammeh regime (see Section 2.4 Lesbian, gay,bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons). (73) Homosexuality is mostly seen an unacceptable.
Female homosexuality seems to be less known (or more taboo) amongst youngsters thanmale homosexuality. (74)
At the other end of the spectrum, some Gambian young people feel more drawn to Islamicvalues and morals, which can lead to role reversals. (75) The shift towards reformist
movements may be understood in part as a response to the malaise affecting Gambian youth.
(76)(66) Wignall, Ross, From Swagger to Serious, 2016 (url), pp. 288-323; Birzle, Maike, Erwachsenwerden in Gambia.
In: Freiburger Ethnologische Arbeitsparpiere 21, 2012 (url), pp. 21-31; Paolo Gaibazzi, New York/Oxford. BushBound: Young Men and Rural Permanence in Migrant West Africa, 2015, S. 122-125.
(67) Nyanzi, Stella, Negotiating scripts for meaningful sexuality, September 2008 (url), pp. 172-173.
(68) US DoS, 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report, June 2017 (url), p. 177.
(69) Nyanzi, Stella, Negotiating scripts for meaningful sexuality, September 2008 (url), p. 19; Chant, Sylvia andTouray, Isatou, Women and Gender in The Gambia: Problems, Progress and Prospects, 2013, pp. 429-475.
(70) Georgia Straight (The), Birds flock and gigolos hustle in the Gambia, 12 March 2008 (url); Brown, Naomi,
Beachboys as culture brokers in Bakau Town, The Gambia, 1992.
(71) Nyanzi, Stella, Negotiating scripts for meaningful sexuality, September 2008 (url), pp. 40, 250, 293, 308-318.
(72) Evans, Alice, Sexuality, poverty and gender among Gambian youth, 2010, pp. 201-206; Nyanzi, Stella,
Ghettoisation, migration or sexual connection?, 2010, pp. 207-214; Nyanzi, Stella et al., Bumsters, big black organs
and old white gold, 2005 (url), pp. 557-569; Independent (The), Breaking the silence of Gambia’s sex tourism, 20
December 2010 (url); US DoS, 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report, July 2015 (url), pp. 163-164; Nyanzi, Stella et al.,
Bumsters, big black organs and old white gold, 2005 (url), pp. 557-569; Janson, Marloes, Islam, Youth andModernity in the Gambia, 2014, pp. 49-50.
(73) Nyanzi, Stella et al., Bumsters, big black organs and old white gold, 2005, pp. 557-569.
(74) Nyanzi, Stella, Negotiating scripts for meaningful sexuality, September 2008 (url), pp. 172-173.
(75) Janson, Marloes, Male Wives and Female Husbands, 2016 (url), pp. 187-218; Janson, Marloes, Islam, Youth andModernity in the Gambia, 2014, pp. 193-224.
(76) Gaibazzi, Paolo, Migration, Soninké Young Men and the Dynamics of Staying Behind (The Gambia), March 2010,
pp. 241-243; Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, Young Men and Rural Permanence in Migrant West Africa, 2015, pp.
127-133; Janson, Marloes, Islam, Youth and Modernity in the Gambia, 2014, p. 303.

20 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

School system
The structure of the Gambian school system is based on the British system. Children usually
start school at the age of seven. They may also be enrolled at Early Childhood Development
Centres for two or three years previously, mainly in private institutions but there is also somestate or Islamic provision. (77)This is followed by 9 years of basic education:

6 years of primary school: lower basic education (LBE);
3 years of middle school: upper basic education (UBE).

Basic education is followed by secondary education:


3 years of secondary school: senior secondary education (SSE).

As an alternative to secondary school, students may choose vocational training at a vocational
training centre. (78)Article 30 of the constitution states that basic education should be free, compulsory andavailable to all. (79) In practice, however, families have paid school fees for basic education.
Primary school did not become free for everyone until 2013, upper basic education (UBE) until
2014 and secondary school (SSE) until 2015. (80) Families cover the cost of school uniforms,
books and food themselves. (81)
The Jammeh government expanded the school system. According to information from theWorld Bank, 63% of children attended primary school in 1994, compared with 93% in 2016.
(82) It is still the case that fewer children go to school in rural areas than in urban areas.
According to official figures for Region 1 (Banjul and Kanifing), in 2017 97.5% of children of
the corresponding school age (the Net Enrolment Ratio - NER) attended primary school. In the
predominantly rural Region 5 (Central River Region) in the east of the country, this figure was
58.5%. (83) At one time more boys than girls went to school but the ratio is now more balanced
or has even reversed: in 2017, the NERs were 91.4% for girls and 84.5% for boys at LBE level.
The NER has risen significantly for both sexes in recent years; the equivalent figures for 2014
were 80.6% (girls) and 75.6% (boys) at LBE level. (84) For middle school (UBE), the Gross
Enrolment Ration (GER) in 2017 was higher for girls (69.7%) than boys (65.0%). (85) The GER(77) Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (The) in collaboration with the Gambia National Commission for
UNESCO, The Gambia National Education For All Review Report, December 2014 (url), pp. 14-16; Gambia (The),
Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education, Education Statistics 2016/2017, May 2017 (url), pp. vi, 11-92.
(78) Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (The) in collaboration with the Gambia National Commission for
UNESCO, The Gambia National Education For All Review Report, December 2014 (url), pp. 10-11; Gambia (The),
Department of State for Education, Education Policy 2004-2015, 2004 (url), pp. 19-25; Perfect, David, Historical
Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 131-133.
(79) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 30, p. 27.
(80) World Bank Group, Financial Constraints and Girls’ Secondary Education, December 2016 (url), S. 5, Footnote
1.
(81) Jollofnews, Gambia Introduces Free Education In Public Schools, 8 November 2015; Right to Education Project,
Factsheet. The Gambia, 2012, pp. 3-7; World Bank Group, Financial Constraints and Girls’ Secondary Education,
December 2016 (url), p. 5, Footnote 1.
(82) World Bank (The), Gambia, Gross enrolment ratio, primary, both sexes, 2017 (url).
(83) Gambia (The), Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education, Education Statistics, 2016/2017, May 2017 (url), pp.
129-36.
(84) Gambia (The), Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education , Education Statistics, 2016/2017, May 2017 (url), p.
136; Gambia (The), Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Gambia National
Commission for UNESCO, The Gambia National Education For All Review Report, December 2014 (url), pp. 18-20.
(85) Gambia (The), Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Education Statistics, 2016/2017, May 2017 (url), p.
256.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 21

for girls is now higher (47.1% in 2017) than for boys (44.5%) at Senior Secondary Education(SSE), although completion rates at SSE wre the same (both 37.1%). (86)
In principle, the language of instruction is English. However, in practice one of the local
languages is often used, especially among the lower age-groups. (87)There is also an Islamic system which runs in parallel to the secular state school system: in thedaara children learn the surahs of the Koran by heart. The madrassas teach school subjects inaddition to Islamic values. (88) The working languages in the madrassas are English and one of
the local languages, as well as Arabic for the recitation of religious texts. (89) The State andvarious institutions from the Gulf states provide financial support for the Islamic schools.
According to information from 2014, approximately 15% of children completed their
compulsory education in madrassas. (90) During the Jammeh presidency, there was asignificant increase in the number of state schools and madrassas: according to informationfrom the Ministry of Education, in 2017 the primary schools included 540 state schools, 301
madrassas and 153 other private schools. (91)
Secondary school may be followed by education at one of the four state tertiary education
institutions: (92)University of The Gambia (UTG), Serrekunda: medicine, natural sciences, agriculture,
economics, management, social sciences;Gambia College (GC), Brikama: education, agriculture, training courses for teachersand midwives;
Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI), Serrekunda: business, computer science,engineering, education;
Management Development Institute (MDI), Serrekunda: trade, economics, IT,
management, gender studies.

In addition to the state institutes, there are private institutions at university level: theAmerican International University West Africa offers various colleges in the medical sciences.
(93)
For many people, colleges and universities outside The Gambia are more desirable than thosewithin the country. There is a preference for institutions in the west, especially in Great(86) Gambia (The), Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Education Statistics, 2016/2017, May 2017 (url), pp.
366, 373.
(87) Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 343-344;
Njie, Makaireh, The Gambia: An Overview, Trends and Futures, 2015, pp. 141-149; Gambia (The), Ministry of Basicand Secondary Education, Education Statistics, 2016/2017, May 2017 (url), pp. 88-92.
(88) Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (The) in collaboration with the Gambia National Commission for
UNESCO, The Gambia National Education For All Review Report, December 2014 (url), pp. 12, 32, 38.
(89) Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 343-344.
(90) Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (The) in collaboration with the Gambia National Commission for
UNESCO, The Gambia National Education For All Review Report, December 2014 (url), pp. 12, 32, 38, Gambia (The),
Ministry of Basic andSecondary Education, Education Statistics, 2016/2017, May 2017 (url), pp. 88-92.
(91) Gambia (The), Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Education Statistics, 2016/2017, May 2017 (url), p.
161.
(92) Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (The) in collaboration with the Gambia National Commission for
UNESCO, The Gambia National Education For All Review Report, December 2014 (url), pp. 14-16; Ministry of Basicand Secondary Education (The), Homepage, n.d. (url); Materu, Peter and Edsand, Hans-Erik, Toward an integrated
University of The Gambia, Draft, n.d. (url), pp. 28-38; Gambia College (The) [website], n.d. (url); Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 133(93) American International University West Africa - The Gambia, AIU Health Science Center, n.d. (url); University
World News, Gambia: New medical university for West Africa, 13 March 2011 (url).

22 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

Britain, the USA and Canada, or colleges and universities in an Islamic environment, forexample in Mali. (94) Gambians also study in other West African countries, like Ghana, Senegal
or Nigeria. (95) For some time now, the People’s Republic of China has also offered Gambianstudents university places and scholarships. (96)Migration
The Gambia has a long tradition of migration and trade. Senegambia was one of the maintransit points for the slave trade to America. (97) Like elsewhere in Africa the same ethnics
groups live on both sides of the borders. Gambian and Senegalese communities living near
the boundary often cross it for trade or visiting relatives. (98) Furthermore, considering thelength of the border, its porosity is not surprising. This obviously poses a challenge for thecontrol of illegal migration and the fight against trafficking in people and drugs. (99)
When The Gambia gained its independence from Great Britain in 1965, many well-educatedGambians migrated to the United Kingdom to study and work. (100) By the end of the 1980s,
after periods of drought and a deterioration of the economic situation, urban migration as
well as emigration to Europe and North America had become common coping strategies. (101)Affluent families have increasingly tried to send their children to Europe, the USA or Canada
to study. Many of them have not returned once they finished their studies due to the lack ofopportunities in their homeland. (102)Gambians without vocational skills or an opportunity to study have also sought work in
Europe.
Until the end of the 1980s they would often travel to Europe (mainly to Spain) with a shortterm visa and then overstay, hoping to benefit of a periodical legalisation scheme. (103) The
1994 military coupt that led Yahya Jammeh to power caused an increase of asylum seekers.
This incited the United Kingdom and other European countries to introduce visa obligation for
Gambian citizens. (104) Contemporaenously legal entry into Europe became more difficult fromthe mid 1990s with the implementation of the Schengen Agreement and its stricter
immigration policies. (105) Nevertheless large numbers of young men continued to migrate toEurope legally or illegally in search of better prospects. In 2013, the Gambia’s net migration
rate (-2.34/1000 population) was the highest in Africa. (106)Immigration to Spain slowed down in 2007 due to the global economic crisis. With anestimated 22 000 nationals residing there in 2012, Spain remained one of the leading
destinations for Gambian migrants, along with the United States, Nigeria, Senegal, UK and(94) Gaibazzi, Paolo Bush Bound, 2015, p. 85; Materu, Peter and Edsand, Hans-Erik, Toward an integrated Universityof The Gambia, Draft, n.d. (url), pp. 10.
(95) Gambia (The), Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technologie, Statistics on students underthe ACE, November 2016 (url).
(96) Africanews, China waives taxes on Gambian exports, offers 150 scholarships, 31 May 2017 (url).
(97) Kebbeh, C. Omar, The Gambia: Migration in Africa’s ‘Smiling Coast’, 15 August 2013 (url).
(98) New York Times (The), On Africa's Fluid Borders, My Land Is Your Land, 16 April 2000 (url).
(99) Point (The), Italian delegation visits The Gambia, 10 May 2016 (url); Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia:
Porous Borders, October 2014 (url), Volume 51, Issue 8.
(100) Kebbeh, C. Omar, The Gambia: Migration in Africa’s ‘Smiling Coast’, 15 August 2013 (url).
(101) Kebbeh, C. Omar, The Gambia: Migration in Africa’s ‘Smiling Coast’, 15 August 2013 (url).
(102) Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, 2015, pp. 44-47.
(103) Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, 2015, pp. 50-51.
(104) Kebbeh, C. Omar, The Gambia: Migration in Africa’s ‘Smiling Coast’, 15 August 2013 (url).
(105) Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, 2015, pp. 50-51.
(106) Kebbeh, C. Omar, The Gambia: Migration in Africa’s ‘Smiling Coast’, 15 August 2013 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 23

Germany. (107) Gambians who reached Italy by crossing the Mediterranean Sea also oftenchose to stay in Italy. (108)
In recent years, irregular migration of Gambians to Europe via Senegal-Mali-Burkina FasoNiger-Libya has risen sharply. (109) Young people speak of the back way, travelling to Europe
by the back door. Europe is known as Babylon – a name for the West derived from reggae
culture. (110) Between 2012 and 2014 the number of Gambians applying for asylum in Europe
quadrupled. (111) With 11,929 new arrivals the number, Gambians accounted for 7% of the sea
arrivals in Italy in 2016. (112) During the first half of 2017, 4,920 Gambians arrived in Italy andmade out 6% of sea arrivals in Italy. (113) Recently, The Gambia has accounted for the largest
percentage of work- or asylum-seekers arriving in Italy of all the African countries, per headof total population. (114) To date, there are no readmission agreements between Italy and The
Gambia. The Italian government tried in vain to negotiate one with ex-president Jammeh in2016. (115)
The vast majoritiy of Gambian migrants traveling to Europe ‘the back way’ are young men.
(116) Gambians grow up with society’s expectation that they must one day go away and earnmoney for the family. Migration has taken on the function of a rite of passage from childhood
to adulthood. Families are reliant on money transfers from the diaspora. (117) However, someyoung men remain at home to keep the family safe and maintain the money and trade links
with those who have migrated to Europe and Serrekunda/Banjul. (118)
Ex-president Jammeh considered migration by young people to be an ‘unpatriotic act’ andaccused young people who wished to emigrate of being lazy. He said that the fantasy of aEuropean Eldorado had befuddled the minds of Gambian young people and made them idle.
The Jammeh government introduced the Back to the Land campaign to try to motivate young
people to work in agriculture. (119)(107) Kebbeh, C. Omar, The Gambia: Migration in Africa’s ‘Smiling Coast’, 15 August 2013 (url).
(108) UNHCR, Mixed Migration Trends in Libya: Changing Dynamics and Protection Challenges, June 2017 (url), p.
105.
(109) IOM, Abuse, Exploitation and Trafficking: IOM reveals data on the scale of the danger and risks that migrants
face on the Mediterranean routes to Europe, 18 October 2016 (url); IOM, Migrants from 15 African Nations Transit
Niger en Route to North Africa, Europe, 23 December 2014 (url).
(110) Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, 2015, pp. 47-50; Gaibazzi, Paolo, Migration, Soninké Young Men and the
Dynamics of Staying Behind (The Gambia), March 2010, pp. 239-240.
(111) African Arguments, Between a rock and a hard place, 4 May 2016 (url).
(112) UNHCR, UNHCR Update #10, 16 March 2017 (url); BBC News, Can Barrow stem flow of young Gambians
heading for Europe?, 27 January 2017 (url).
(113) UNHCR, Italy Sea arrivals dashboard January-June 2017, 15 June 2017 (url).
(114) Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election’, 13 March 2017(url), p. 338.
(115) Readmission agreements constitute an obligation between the contracting states to take back certain groupsof persons on request without any formalities. IRIN News, Meet the Gambian migrants under pressure to leave
Europa, 20 July 2017 (url).
(116) UNHCR, UNHCR Update #10, 16 March 2017 (url).
(117) Telegraph (The), Inside the west African village where every young man is trying to migrate to Europe, 10
November 2015 (url); Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, 2015, pp. 63-67, 74-82, 107-110, 130-132; Gaibazzi, Paolo,
Migration, Soninké Young Men and the Dynamics of Staying Behind (The Gambia), March 2010, pp. 217-220.
(118) Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, 2015, pp. 63-67, 74-82, 107-110, 130-132; Gaibazzi, Paolo, Migration, Soninké
Young Men and the Dynamics of Staying Behind (The Gambia), March 2010, pp. 217-220.
(119) Gaibazzi, Paolo, Cultivating Hustlers: The Agrarian Ethos of Soninke Migration, 2013 (url), pp. 1-2.; Gaibazzi,
Paolo, Bush Bound, 2015, pp. 119-121.

24 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

For political observers, the high level of migration and discussions surrounding it were a key
factor in Jammeh’s electoral defeat in 2016. (120) Adama Barrow identified reducing irregularmigration as a priority task for the new government. The aim would be to create work andtraining opportunities for unemployed young people. While no significant success has beenreported to date, the European Union, which has recently provided substantial financial aid
to The Gambia, in particular support to youth employment. (121)
The Trafficking in Persons Report by the US Department of State (US DoS) attests The
Gambia’s achievements in combating human trafficking, though the country still doesn’t fully
meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The first people identified as
victims of human trafficking in four years have been provided for. The Department of Social
Welfare (DSW) runs a facility for victims of human trafficking, abandoned children and victimsof domestic violence, as well as a drop-in centre for street children. A trafficker was sentenced
to life emprisonment. This was the first conviction for a trafficking-related offense in four
years. Although The Gambia has implemented training measures for the police and borderauthorities, the US DoS signals a need for further action: criminal prosecution should be
intensified and accomplices in the administration should also be apprehended, there is a lackof formal procedures for identifying victims of human trafficking, and the resources of the
National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP) should be increased. (122)On the other hand, The Gambia also experiences inward migration: in 2013, 110 705 nonGambians were recorded as being in the country in the census. Most of these originated from
West African countries: Senegal: (44%), Guinea (28%), Guinea-Bissau (6%) and Sierra Leone(5%). (123) Most of the migrants came to Gambia in search for employment, many came troughmarriage or followed their family. (124) Some migrants left their home country because of war
or conflict. Most of them are Senegalese who fled due to the independence conflict in the
Casamance region. In 2010, between 10,000 and 11,000 Senegalese Casamance refugees(including 7,890 registred ones) were living in The Gambia. (125) By the end of 2016 there werestill appromatively 7,400 Senegalese refugees in The Gambia. (126) They often live with hostfamilies, who are often their relatives. Refugee camps ar no longer in use. (127) The new
Interior Minister, Mai Fatty, expressly welcomed refugees from the countries surrounding The
Gambia in June 2017. (128)(120) Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election’, 13 March 2017(url), pp. 325, 336-40; David Perfect. The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url),
p. 327.
(121) IRIN News, New Gambia, new migration?, 28 March 2017 (url); EC, The Gambia youth empowerment scheme,
February 2017 (url).
(122) US DoS, 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report, June 2017 (url), pp. 175-177.
(123) Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), (vol. 5), Table B6, p.
26.
(124) Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: National Migration Analysis, n.d. (url), p. 26.
(125) UNHCR, Casamance refugees in The Gambia: self-settlement and the challenges of integration, September
2011 (url), p. 4.
(126) UNHCR, Gambia, Factsheet, November-December 2016 (url).
(127) UNHCR, Casamance refugees in The Gambia: self-settlement and the challenges of integration, September
2011 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 76.
(128) SmbcNews, Gambia promises to be a safe haven for refugees, 24 June 2017 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 25

1.4 Administrative structure
The Gambia is divided into regions, local government areas (LGA), districts, municipalities,
cities and villages. (129) There are five regions (known as divisions between 1944 and 2007 andbefore that as provinces) and one greater area. (130)The five regions are as follows (see Map 2: Regions and Regions and districts of The Gambia
in 2003): (131)






West Coast (Western Region until 2010)
Lower River
North Bank
Central River
Upper River

The Greater Area is:

The Greater Banjul Area, subdivided into the municipality of Kanifing and the city of
Banjul. (132)

In 2002 the Local Government Act divided the country into eight local government areas.
These often bear the name of the biggest town: (133)









BanjulKanifing
Brikama
Mansakonko
Kerewan
KuntaurJanjanbureh
Basse.

Confusion may occur, as in colloquial and sometimes even in official usage the local people
use the designations regions, administrative regions, divisions, areas, administrative areas andlocal government areas randomly at times. (134) They also use the colonial term ‘province’,(129) The classification into divisions (known as regions since 2007) dates back to the colonial period. Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 275, 357; Gambia (The), Local Government Act (Amendments), 17
April 2002 (url), p.3.; UNDESA, Gambia (The), Public Administration, Country Profile, August 2004, pp. 7-8.;
Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, 2012, pp. 178-180.
(130) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 123; Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs ofGambia, 2012, p. 6.
(131) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, A
sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia, 2009 (url), p. 330; Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016,p. 357.
(132) Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs of Gambia, , 2012, p. 6; Juffermans, Kasper, Local Languaging, Literacy
and Multilingualism in a West African Society, 2015, p. 28.
(133) Gambia (The), Local Government Act (Amendments), 17 April 2002 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionaryof The Gambia, 2016, p. 275; Gambia (The), GBoS, The Gambia 2013 Population and Housing Census Preliminary
Results, 2013 (url), p. 9.
(134) The apparently random use of the individual designations can cause confusion: the website of the Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC) divides The Gambia into seven electoral units and refers to them by the term ‘divisions’
which was abolished in 2007. Gambia (The), IEC, Management, 2017 (url); The internal handbook of the election
observation mission for the legislative election in The Gambia in April 2017 also divides The Gambia into sevenadministrative units. Some of these have non-official administrative names: 1) AA (Administrative Area), 2) Kanifing
AR (Administrative Region), 3) West Coast Region (also known as Brikama AR), 4) Kerewan AR (also known as North
Bank Region), 5) Mansakonko AR (also known as Lower River Region), 6) Janjanbureh AR (also known as Central

26 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

pre-colonial terms such as Fuladu (Land of the Fula) or names of the old kingdoms such as‘Kombo’ and ‘Foni’. (135)The eight local government areas are subdivided into districts. The way they are divided up
has changed over the years. The 2003 census lists 39 districts (136), while the 2013 census lists
43 districts. (137)
Summary of regions, local government areas, districts (138)
Regions

Local government area
(LGA)

Districts 2003

Districts 2013

Greater Banjul
Area

BanjulBanjul South

Banjul South

Capital: Banjul

Banjul Central

Banjul Central

Banjul North

Banjul North

Kanifing Urban

Kanifing

Brikama

Kombo North

Kombo North

Capital: Brikama

Kombo South

Kombo South

Kombo Central

Kombo Central

Kombo East

Kombo East

Foni Brefet

Foni Brefet

Foni Bintang Karanai

Foni Bintang Karanai

Foni Kansala

Foni Kansala

Foni Bonfali

Foni Bondali

Foni Jarrol

Foni Jarrol

Mansakonko

Kiang West

Kiang West

Capital: Mansakonko

Kiang Central

Kiang Central

Kiang East

Kiang East

Jarra West

Jarra West

Jarra Central

Jarra Central

Jarra East

Jarra East

KerewanLower Niumi

Lower Niumi

Capital: Kerewan

Upper Niumi

Upper Niumi

Kanifing
Capital: Serrekunda
Western Region

Lower River
Region

North Bank
RegionRiver Region), 7) Basse AR (also known as Upper River Region). The Kuntaur LGA is not included. Its districts are
assigned to the Janjanbureh/Central River Region. European Union, STO (Short Term Observer) Handbook, 2017,p. 24; Gambia (The), IEC, Nomination of National Assembly Members 2017, 2017 (url).
(135) Juffermans, Kasper and McGlynn, Caroline, ‘A sociolinguistic profile of The Gambia’, 2009 (url), p. 330;
Juffermans, Kasper, Local Languaging, Literacy and Multilingualism in a West African Society, 2015, p. 28.
(136) Gambia (The), GBoS, Atlas of 2003 Population and Housing Census, 2006 (url), p. 4.
(137) Gambia (The), GBoS, The Gambia 2013 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Results, 2013 (url), p. 13.
(138) Gambia (The), GBoS, Atlas of 2003 Population and Housing Census, 2006 (url), p. 4.; Gambia (The), GBoS, The
Gambia 2013 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Results, 2013 (url); CIA, The World Factbook: The
Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs of Gambia, 2012, p. 7; Statoids, Regions ofGambia, updated 5 November 2015 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

JokaduJokaduLower Badibu

Central Badibu

Central Badibu

Lower Badibu

Upper Badibu

Illiasa— 27

Sabach Sanjal
Central River
RegionKuntaur

Lower Saloum

Lower Saloum

Capital: Kuntaur

Upper SaloumUpper Saloum

Nianija

Nianija

Niani

Niani

Sami

Sami

Niamina Dankunku

Niamina Dankunku

Niamina West

Niamina West

Niamina East

Niamina East

Fulladu West

Fulladu West

MacCarthy Island(Janjanbureh)

Janjangbureh

Fulladu East

Basse Fulladu East

Janjangbureh/Georgetown
Capital: Janjanbureh(or: Georgetown)

Upper River
RegionBasse
Capital: Basse Santa Su(or: Basse)

TumanaJimaraKantoraKantora

Wuli

Wuli West
Wuli East

Sandu

Sandu

1.5 State structure and politics
Status and constitution
The Gambia gained independence on 18 February 1965 and was accepted into the
Commonwealth. The country's official name became ‘The Gambia’. A prime minister headed
the parliamentary multi-party system of the young state. The head of state of theconstitutional monarchy was the British Queen Elizabeth II. (139)
The Gambia has had three constitutions since independence: 1964 (entered into force in1965), 1970 and 1996 (entered into force in 1997). (140)
Following a referendum in 1970, The Gambia became a republic within the Commonwealth.
The constitutional monarchy changed to a presidential system. (141) The head of state was no(139) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 98-100; Europa Publications, Europa Regional
Surveys of the World,Africa South of the Sahara 2016, pp. 524, 538-539.
(140) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 99-101; Europa Publications, Europa Regional
Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, pp. 538-539.
(141) Hughes, Arnold and Perfect, David, A Political History of The Gambia, 1816-1994, 2006, pp. 175, 346.

28 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

longer the British queen but the Gambian president. The First Republic lasted from 24 April
1970 until Jammeh’s military coup on 22 July 1994. Following this coup, the constitution was
suspended and subsequently repealed. (142)
The Second Republic started with the entry into force of the new constitution on 16 January
1997. The new constitution strengthened the presidential system. There was no restriction on
the president’s term of office, even though this has been recommended by the 1995
Constitutional Review Commission, and the system of checks and balances was comparatively
weak. (143) The president held executive and legislative power and could appoint (and dismiss)the judges of the superior courts and many other functionaries (see Section 1.6.1 President).
Under President Jammeh, a number of judges were sacked unconstitutionally or forced toresign, for example the Pakistani Supreme Court chief justice, Ali Nawaz Chowhan, in May
2015. (144)
In 2015 Jammeh declared The Gambia an Islamic Republic. (145) This went against theconstitution, which defines The Gambia as a secular state. (146) Following the change ofgovernment in early 2017, one of the first official statements by the new President Adama
Barrow was that The Gambia was no longer an Islamic Republic and that the constitution
would be amended. (147) The term ‘Third Republic’ has been used colloquially since President
Adama Barrow took office. This term is not legally binding as the constitution has not yet been
amended. Barrow has made proposals for constitutional reform, such as restriction of thepresidency to two terms of office. (148) Former politicians and academics have contributed
further proposals, while a detailed list of proposals were put forward by six political parties(including the UDP) in July 2017 (149) and the Justice Department has announced that the
public will be involved. (150)

1.6 Executive
President
The Gambia has been a republic since the referendum in April 1970. The then prime minister,Dawda Jawara, automatically became president. Jawara was confirmed as president inindirect (1972 and 1977) and direct elections (1982, 1987, 1992). (151) After the military coup(142) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 99-100.
(143) Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, 2012, pp. 4-6.
(144) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 76, Art. 100, Art. 138, Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The
Constitutional Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, pp. 118-119; 207-212; Express Tribune (The), Gambian president
sacks Pakistani chief justice, 13 May 2015 (url); News24, Gambian president sacked Supreme Court judges,
29.06.2015 (url).
(145) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 215; African Arguments, What does Jammeh haveto gain by making The Gambia an Islamic Republic?, 28 January 2016; Lieven, Samuel, La Gambie s’autoproclame« État islamique », 13 December 2015.
(146) US DoS, International Religious Freedom Report, The Gambia 2015, 10 August 2016 (url); Gambia (The),
Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Chapter I, p. 12.
(147) Voice of America (The), Gambian President Jammeh Says He Will Not Step Down, 20 December 2016 (url);Africa Confidential, Gambia at the cliff-edge, 16 December 2016 (url); BAMF, Briefing Notes, 6 February 2017 (url).
(148) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 330.; allAfrica,
Gambia: Govt Announces Robust Institutional & Constitutional Reforms, 25 July 2017.
(149) For the current discussion about amending the constitution, see: Point (The), Gambia needs new constitution,
1 June 2017 (url); Point (The), The 11th Proposal and demands of the opposition for electoral and constitutional
reform, 11 July 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 149, 386; PDOIS, A Third
Republic for a New Beginning, 2017 (url); Daily News, The Third Republic of the Gambia: President’s transition
guidance notes, 29 January 2017 (url).
(150) Gambia (The), Ministry of Justice [Twitter], 11 July 2017 (url).
(151) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 237-241, 346.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 29

in 1994, The Gambia did not have a president until 1996 and was governed by the military
Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC), led by Yahya Jammeh. (152)
The Republic of The Gambia has had three presidents to date:Dawda Jawara: 1970-1994. Party: People’s Progressive Party (PPP); (153)
Yahya Jammeh: 1996-2017. Party: Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation andConstruction (APRC); (154)
Adama Barrow: since 2017. Party: United Democratic Party (UDP). (155)

According to the 1997 constitution, the president is the head of state, head of governmentand commander in chief of the armed forces. (156) Ex-president Jammeh also took on the roleof Defence Minister. (157) President Barrow still heads the Ministry of Defence. (158)
The president appoints the vice-president and the ministers (Secretaries of State) and leads
them. The president, vice-president and ministers form the cabinet. According to the current
constitution, the office of prime minister no longer exists (it was abolished in 1970 when The
Gambia became a republic). The cabinet or the president alone can exercise executive power.
(159) The ministries and the current ministers are listed on the official website of the Office of
the President. (160)
The president also appoints five members of parliament, the judges of the superior courts,
the regional governors, the district chiefs (Seyfo, pl. Seyfolu), the chairmen and members of
the Public Service Commission, the administrative ombudsman and the head and members of
the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). (161) The president is directly elected by thepeople for five years on the basis of a majority of votes. The current constitution does not
restrict the term of office. (162)
President Adama Barrow
Barrow was born in 1965 and grew up in the village of Mankamang Kunda in the Jimara districtof the Upper River Region. (163) His father is a Mandinka and his mother is from the Fula ethnic
group. He is married with two wives, one of whom, Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, is the First Lady

(152) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 36-37.
(153) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 237-241.
(154) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 228-231.
(155) Gambia (The), Office of The President, The President, 2017 (url); BBC, Gambia elections: President-electAdama Barrow’s life story, 1 January 2017 (url).
(156) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002(url), Art. 61.
(157) Gambia (The), State House Online, Office of The President, 2015 (url).
(158) Gambia (The), State House Online, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College Students Called on
President Barrow, 20 April 2017 (url).
(159) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 76.
(160) Gambia (The), Office of the President, The Cabinet, 2017 (url).
(161) Jammeh, Ousman A.S. , The Constitutional Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, 2012, p. 61; Gambia (The),
Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 42, 58, 70, 172.
(162) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997 (url), art. 70, al.
3, art. 71, al. 3, art. 73, al. 1; UNDESA, Gambia (The), Public Administration Country Profile, August 2004 (url);
Republic of the Gambia: Office of the President, The Cabinet, n.d. (url); Daily Observer, Dodou Bammy Jagne is
New Secretary General, 1 July 2016 (url); Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 63, 76; Voiceof America, Gambia Defends Arrests of Opposition Leader and Supporters, 18 April 2016 (url).
(163) Gambia (The), State House Online, The President, 2017 (url) ; Jeune Afrique, Gambie, La fulgurante ascension
d’Adama Barrow, 26 January 2017 (url); Perfect, David. The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath,25 May 2017 (url), p. 325.

30 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

of The Gambia. (164) He was a businessman and worked in the real estate sector in Great Britain
and The Gambia. He administered the finances of the United Democratic Party (UDP), butotherwise had little involvement in politics. The opposition parties unexpectedly nominatedhim as the presidential candidate in October 2016 after the founder of the UDP and long-termrival of Jammeh, Ousainou Darboe, was arrested and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
(165) Barrow left the UDP to emphasise the independence of his candidacy and stood as anindependent. He announced that he would restrict his term of office and would stand down
as president after three years as leader of the transitional government. (166) He was elected
President of The Gambia on 1 December 2016. Following the constitutional and military crisis,on 19 January 2017 he was sworn in as third President of The Gambia at the Gambian embassyin Senegal. He returned to The Gambia on 26 January 2017. (167)
Ex-president Yahya Jammeh
Yahya Jammeh was born in 1965 and grew up in Kanilai in the Lower River Division. He is fromthe Jola ethnic group and has married three times. He was a wrestler and an officer in theGambia National Gendarmerie (GNG) and the Gambia National Army (GNA). (168) He came to
power on 22 July 1994 in a bloodless coup and led the military Armed Forces Provisional RulingCouncil for two years. In 1996 he was elected president in an election which was considered
to be far from free and fair. (169) His position was confirmed in 2001, 2006 and 2011. He led
his party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), from its foundationin 1996. (170)
Jammeh increasingly distanced himself from the west and its values and issued somesurprising and bizarre statements. (171) From 2015 onwards he called himself ‘His Excellency
Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Azziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh Babili Mansa’. (172)
After losing the presidential election and the ensuing political and constitutional crisis, he left
the country on 21 January 2017. Equatorial Guinea, where he went into exile, has not signed(164) Gambia (The), Office of The President, First Lady, 2017 (url).
(165) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 325.
(166) Gambia (The), State House Online, The President, 2017 (url); Jeune Afrique, Gambie, La fulgurante ascension
d’Adama Barrow, 26 January 2017 (url); BBC, Gambia’s Jammeh loses to Adama Barrow in shock election result, 2
December 2017 (url); BBC, Gambia elections: President-elect Adama Barrow’s life story, 19 January 2017 (url).
(167) Gambia (The), State House Online, The President, 2017 2017 (url); Jeune Afrique, La fulgurante ascension
d’Adama Barrow, 26 January 2017 (url); BBC, Gambia’s Jammeh loses to Adama Barrow in shock election result, 2
December 2017 (url); BBC, Gambia elections: President-elect Adama Barrow’s life story, 19 January 2017 (url); NZZ,
Jammeh verkündet Rücktritt, 21 January 2017 (url); BBC, Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow arrives home, 26
January 2017 (url); KAS, <Gambia is back>, La stabilité de la Gambie, un enjeu pour le Sénégal, February 2017 (url);
Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017, (url), p. 329.
(168) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 228-231.
(169) Perfect, David and Hughes, Arnold, Gambian Electoral Politics: 1960-2012, 2013, pp. 96-97; Saine, Abdoulaye
and Ceesay, Ebrima, Post-Coup Politics and Authoritarianism in The Gambia: 1994-2012, 2013, pp. 151-184, 159161; Saine, Aboudaye, The Paradox of Third-Wave Democratization in Africa: The Gambia Under AFPRC-APRC Rule,
1994-2008, 2009, pp. 28-31; Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World,Africa South of the Sahara
2016, 2015, p. 525.
(170) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 31, 228-229; Kairouz, Matthieu, Ce jour-là : le
22 juillet 1994, Yahya Jammeh s’empare du pouvoir en Gambie, 22 July 2016 (url).
(171) Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election, 13 March 2017(url), pp. 326. Jammeh claimed that he was the crowned king of The Gambia and announced that he would remainpresident for a billion years. Only Allah could end his rule. He developed obscure healing methods and declaredthat he could cure HIV/AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, epilepsy and infertility. Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of
The Gambia, 2016, p. 230; Guardian (The), Bitter medicine: how Gambian president claims to cure Aids, 22
February 2007 (url); JollofNews, Gambia’s Jammeh Renews HIV Cure Claim, 19 January 2016 (url); Cassidy,
Rebecca, Contested Status: The Politics of HIV Treatment in The Gambia, 2013, pp. 291- 324.
(172) For a list of Jammeh’s prizes and titles: Gambia (The), State House Online, The President, 2015 (url); Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 231.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 31

the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. If Jammeh were to be accused of crimes
against humanity or other serious crimes, the country would not have to extradite him. (173)Nevertheless, the new government ponders the possibility of an extradition request. (174)

1.7 Legislature
President
According to the constitution, the holder of legislative power is the president, not theparliament. (175) Laws passed by the parliament require the president's assent. If the president
does not assent, the bill is passed back to the parliament. (176)
Parliament
The National Assembly is a single-chamber parliament. (177) The president directly appoints
five members. (178) The voters elect the other members of parliament on the basis of amajority of votes (until 2012: 48 of the 53 seats; from 2017: 53 of the 58 seats). (179) Parties
which take part in elections must be registered. (180) Since 2015, parliamentary candidates
must pay a deposit in order to stand for election which has been increased twenty-fold. (181)The nine registered parties in 2016/17 (before and after the change of government): (182)Abbreviation

Name

Leader (before thechange ofgovernment)

PartycolourParty symbol

UDP

United Democratic
Party

Ousainou Darboe

Yellow

Handshake

APRC

Alliance forPatriotic
Reorientation andConstruction

Before the changeof government:
Yahya Jammeh.
After the change ofgovernment:Interim leader

Green

Palm tree
against black
background(173) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Jammeh Leaves Power, 6 February 2017 (url), p. 21275; Hartmann,
Christof, ECOWAS and the Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia, January 2017 (url), p. 90; Perfect, David, The
Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 329.
(174) SmbcNews, Gambia may seek Jammeh’s extradition from Equatorial Guinea, 27 July 2017 (url); Standard (The),
Jammeh could be extradited if…., 27 July 2017 (url).
(175) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 100; Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional
Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, p. 146.
(176) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 100.
(177) Gambia (The), National Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia, last updated December 2016 (url); Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 304.
(178) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 88; Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The
Gambia, 2016, p. 304.
(179) Gambia (The), IEC, The Gambia National Assembly Election Results, 6 April 2017 (url); Daily Observer, GMC,
NCP, GPDP Win No Seat As UDP Sweeps Parliamentary Polls, 10 April 2017 (url).
(180) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 60; Gambia (The), IEC, How to Register a Party,
2017 (url); Inter-Parliamentary Union, The Gambia, National Assembly, 11 April 2017 (url); Perfect, David, The
Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), Vol. 106, No. 3 , p. 329.
(181) Library of Congress, Gambia: Increased Monetary Deposit Requirements for Election Candidates, 21 July 2015(url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 136.
(182) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), IEC, The Gambia, Registered Parties,
n.d. (url).

32 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

Fabakary Tombong
Jatta (183)
GDC

Gambia Democratic
Congress

Mama Kandeh

PurpleOpen calabashin two hands

PPP

Peoples Progressive
Party

Yaya Ceesay

Hot pink

Axe and hoe

GMC

Gambia Moral
Congress

Mai Fatty (Interior
Minister since
2017)

Red

Eight white
stars

GPDP

Gambia Party for
Democracy andProgress

Sarja Jarjou

OrangeTwo elephants

NCP

National
Convention Party

Badara Sidibeh

White

Boat

NRP

National
Reconciliation Party

Hamat BahBlue

White cow

PDOIS

People’s
Democratic
Organisation for
Independence andSocialism

Sidia Jatta

Brown

Sun with 16
rays

Each party is assigned a colour. This colour is important during the election process: voterscast their votes in the form of a small marble painted in the colour of their chosen party which
they place in a container. The ‘drum and marble’ process of voting dates back to the firstnationwide election of 1960. (184)National Assembly elections were held in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017. Some of the
opposition parties boycotted the elections. (185) Until 2012 Jammeh’s party, the APRC, won aclear majority of seats (1997: 33 of 45 seats, 2002: 45 of 48 seats, 2007: 42 of 48 seats, 2012:43 of 45 seats). (186)(183) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Onegambia, Tombong Jatta - Interim leader of APRC
The new Government seize all our vehicles [Youtube], posted on 21 April 2017 (url); Fatu Network (The), ‘In new
Gambia, we will create new responsible opposition’ – Tombong Jatta, 15 March 2017 (url).
(184) Gambia (The), IEC, Election 2016, Handbook for Polling Official, 2016 (url), pp. 6, 19-20, 29; Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 125.
(185) The UDP boycotted the National Assembly elections in 2002 and all opposition parties boycotted them in 2012.
Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 136; David Perfect and Arnold Hughes, Trenton, NJ,
Gambian Electoral Politics: 1960-2012, 2013, pp. 97-104.
(186) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 135-136; Perfect, David and Hughes, Arnold,
Gambian Electoral Politics: 1960-2012 2013, pp. 97-104.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 33

Women are under-represented in the parliament: three women were elected in 2012 and2017. In addition, three of the five people who Barrow was able to appoint directly as
members of parliament in 2017 under the constitution (187) are women. (188)
Following the change of government in early 2017, the voter turnout for the legislativeelections in April 2017 was 42.7% - significantly lower than the 59% recorded for thepresidential election four months previously. (189) The coalition of opposition parties which
helped Adama Barrow to election victory in the presidential election in December 2016 hadcollapsed prior to the elections. The UDP, Adama Barrow's party, won the election, gaining 31of the 53 seats. The former governing party of ex-president Jammeh suffered severe losses
and only gained five seats. The other seats were distributed as follows: NRP five seats, GDC
five seats, PDOIS four seats, PPP two seats, an independent one seat. (190)

1.8 Judiciary
There are several legal bases for the administration of justice: formal legislation (constitution,
enacted legislation), the relevant court rulings (English common law), customary law andIslamic law (Sharia). (191)
Islamic law is used in the Sharia courts (Cadi courts) and district courts (district tribunals) infamily matters (marriage, divorce, inheritance) relating to Muslims. (192) Sharia and customary
law are applied in the district courts (district tribunals) and in hearings by village councils.
Customary law plays an important role in clan and land disputes. (193)
The court system is as follows: (194)Superior courts:
o Supreme court (195)(187) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 88; Perfect, David and Hughes, Arnold, Gambian
Electoral Politics: 1960-2012 2013, p. 104; Gambia (The), IEC, The Gambia National Assembly election results 6th
April 2017, n.d. (url).
(188) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 135-136; EU, Election Observation Mission To
The Gambia, Preliminary Statement, 8 April 2017, p. 2; Swiss Embassy in Dakar-Senegal, written communication
with the SEM, 20 April 2017; Gambia (The), IEC, The Gambia National Assembly Election Results 6 th April 2017,
Nation Voter Tornout, n.d. (url); Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May
2017 (url), p. 327.
(189) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Legislative Elections, 12 May 2017 (url), pp. 21394-21395; Daily
Observer, GMC, NCP, GPDP Win No Seat As UDP Sweeps Parliamentary Polls, 10 April 2017 (url).
(190) Gambia (The), IEC, The Gambia National Assembly Election Results, 6 April 2017 (url); Freedom Newspaper,
Gambia: As Major Voter Apathy Greets Gambia’s Legislative Elections, Main Opposition UDP Had A Comfortable
Lead In The Polls; PPP, PDOIS And GDC Win Big!, 6 April 2017 (url); Daily Observer, GMC, NCP, GPDP Win No Seat
As UDP Sweeps Parliamentary Polls, 10 April 2017 (url); Sey, Baboucarr, Official results: the National Assembly
elections official results, 7 April, 2017; Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath,25 May 2017 (url), p. 329.
(191) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 7; Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional Lawof The Gambia 1965-2010, 2012, p. 95.
(192) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 137, 137A; US DoS, International Religious
Freedom Report, The Gambia 2015, 10 August 2016 (url).
(193) Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, pp. 175-177; Access Gambia, Alkalo(Alikaloo) – Village Chief, 2017 (url); Daily Observer, 16 Alkalolu Trained on Customary Law, 22 March 2017 (url);
Saho, Bala, ‘Challenges and Constraints: Forced Marriage as a Form of <Traditional> Practice in the Gambia’, 2016,
pp. 190-194.
(194) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 120; Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional
Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, 2012, pp. 93-95.
(195) In 1999 the Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and a maximum of 5 judges replaced the Supreme Court fromthe British colonial period and since then has been the highest court and the final court of appeal. It rules on

34 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUSo Courts of appealo High courts
o Special criminal court (196)
Lower courts
o Magistrates courts
o Sharia courts (Cadi courts)o District tribunals
Martial courts for military matters. (197)

The President of The Gambia appoints the judges to the superior courts, the Director of Public
Prosecutions and the Attorney General, who is also Justice Minister. (198) Ex-president Jammehappointed sixteen justice ministers between seizing power in the military coup of 1994 and2016. (199)
The constitution guarantees all citizens access to an independent justice system and the rightto defence. (200) The opposition, human rights organisations and diaspora media questioned
the independence of the justice system under Jammeh and criticised the far-reaching powersof the president. They complained about the lack of judges and their corruption,
incompetence and partiality, particularly in the lower courts. (201)
Following the change of government in early 2017, Barrow announced that he would reverse
Jammeh's decision to withdraw The Gambia from the International Criminal Court. (202) He
appointed a former special envoy and a prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda to the highest positions in the Gambian justice system. Aboubacarr Marie Tambedou
became Justice Minister and Attorney General. (203) Hassan Bubacar Jallow became Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court. (204) Barrow declared that these were signs of the independenceof the judiciary and steps on the way to institutional and legal reform. (205)
Nevertheless, at the end of April 2017 Amnesty International called on the government tocarry out reforms and provide more resources in the following areas of the justice system: tostrengthen the independence and impartiality of the justice system; to support organisations
such as the National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA), the Gambia Bar Association and the Female
Lawyers Association Gambia; to ensure that torture is included as an offence in the Criminal

appeals referred by the appeal courts and actions relating to presidential and parliamentary elections. Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 251; Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional Law of The
Gambia 1965-2010, 2012, p. 100.
(196) Since its reinstatement in 1996, the special criminal court has dealt with economic crimes. Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 251.
(197) Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, 2012, pp.93-95, 103-104; Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 251.
(198) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 84, 134, 138.
(199) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 252-253.
(200) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Art. 33, 120.
(201) Crime and Society, A comparative criminology tour of the world, n.d. (url); Fatu Network (The), The Gambian
Judiciary Crippled By Lack Of Judges and Magistrates, 27 October 2015 (url); See also Perfect, David, Historical
Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 252.
(202) EUISS, Beyond the ICC exit crisis, December 2016 (url); Africanews, The Gambia will remain in the ICC –President Barrow confirms, 9 February 2017 (url); HRW, Gambia Rejoins ICC, 17 February 2017 (url).
(203) SmbcNews, Gambia: Six new Supreme Court Judges appointed, 28 April 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Gambia’sAttorney General seeks removal of death penalty from justice system, 20 February 2017 (url).
(204) allAfrica, Gambia: President Barrow’s Statement During the Swearing-in Ceremony of the Chief Justice, 17February 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Gambia: Six new Supreme Court Judges appointed, 28 April 2017 (url).
(205) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 330; allAfrica,
Gambia: President Barrow’s Statement During the Swearing-in Ceremony of the Chief Justice, 17 February 2017(url); SmbcNews, Gambia’s Attorney General seeks removal of death penalty from justice system, 20 February 2017(url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 35

Code and to make statements obtained under torture inadmissible in judicial proceedings.
(206)
Under Jammeh the justice system suffered from great uncertainty because of judges’
insecurity of tenure and the tendency of Jammeh to appoint foreign judges rather than
Gambians to the Supreme Court. (207) In April 2017 President Barrow appointed six Gambian
judges to the Supreme Court. (208)
Detention and prisons
The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for prisons. (209) The legal basis for prisons isregulated by Act 18/1953 (Prisons Act). (210)There are three official state prisons:The Mile Two central prison in Banjul. In 2015 this prison had an official capacity of
450 and housed 817 prisoners. Special facilities include the only wing for women in
The Gambia and the security wing. (211) Prisoners with long sentences were held atMile Two, and prisoners with a death sentence in the security wing of Mile Two; (212)
The Jeshwang prison near Banjul. In 2015 it had an official capacity of 150 and housed
201 inmates. A special facility is the wing for juveniles; (213)
The prison in Janjanbureh/Georgetown. In 2015 it had an official capacity of 50 andheld 88 inmates. (214)In addition to the three official prisons, there are prisons or prison cells in many police
stations. (215) According to information from human rights organisations, during the Jammeh
administration the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) and the National Intelligence
Agency (NIA) operated prisons with no legal basis (see Section 1.9.3 National Intelligence
Agency). (216)
During the Jammeh regime, The Gambia only allowed sporadic visits to prisons by external
institutions. (217) For example, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was given
access to prisoners until 2006 but this then ceased. (218) In 2014 a UN special rapporteur was(206) AI, Human Rights Priorities For The New Gambian Government, 28 April 2017 (url).
(207) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 330.
(208) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, 14 June 2017 (url), p. 21429; SmbcNews, Gambia: Six new Supreme
Court Judges appointed, 28 April 2017 (url).
(209) Access Gambia, Ministry of Interior, n.d. (url).
(210) Gambia (The), Laws of The Gambia, Prisons, Act 18 of 1953, L.R.O. January 1990 (url).
(211) ACHPR, Prisons in The Gambia, June 2000 (url), pp. 21-29; UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special
Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), p. 7.
(212) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), p. 13; ACHPR, Prisons in The Gambia, June 2000 (url), p. 11.
(213) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), p. 13.
(214) ACHPR, Prisons in The Gambia, June 2000 (url), pp. 29-34.
(215) ACHPR, Prisons in The Gambia, June 2000 (url), pp. 15-18, 34-35.
(216) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), p. 7; HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), pp. 1-2, 9, 25-34,
47-60.
(217) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url); Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Secret Prisons, 28 February
2010; ACHPR, Prisons in The Gambia, June 2000 (url).
(218) After a failed attempted coup led by Colonel Ndure Cham in 2006, the ICRC was no longer granted access toprisoners in The Gambia. See the annual reports of the regional office of the ICRC in Dakar: ICRC, Annual Report
2006, 11 June 2006 (url), p. 152; ICRC, Annual Report 2007, 11 June 2008 (url), p. 155.

36 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

able to visit prisons, although on a limited basis. The observer was refused access to thesecurity wing at the Mile Two prison and to secret cells in certain police stations or quartersof the NIA or the NDEA. The UN special rapporteur states in his report that the prisons were
overcrowded and that prisoners were detained for many years without trial for minor
offences. The sanitary facilities and medical care were inadequate, and food was in short
supply and of poor quality. Family members could bring in food for prisoners on remand(awaiting trial), but not for convicted prisoners. There was no employment for politicalprisoners or those with a long term of imprisonment. The use of solitary confinement ofdeath-row and life-term prisoners in the security wing of the Mile Two prison was considered
torture by the UN special rapporteur. (219) According to various reports, many of the detainees
in Gambian prisons were imprisoned for drug-related offences. Many were not Gambians but
nationals of other countries. (220)Following the change of government in early 2017, the new Interior Minister withresponsibility for prisons, Mai Fatty, and the Justice Minister/Attorney General, Aboubacarr
Marie Tambedou, visited the Mile Two prison, accompanied by the press. (221) In February andMarch 2017 around 270 prisoners were amnestied and released. Interior Minister Fatty
promised that new detention centres which met international standards would be set up. (222)
It is not known when this will take place. (223)

1.9 Security forces, army, police
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) are responsible for the country's security from external
threats. They are responsible to the Defence Minister/President. (224) The GAF includes thearmy, the navy and the air force. The national guard (Gambia National Guard) is also part of
the GAF.
The state security service, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), is directly responsible to the
President. (225)
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has the task of maintaining security within the country andreports to the Interior Minister. (226)(219) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), pp. 8, 13-15; Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Secret Prisons,
28 February 2010; ACHPR, Prisons in The Gambia, June 2000 (url), pp. 21-29.
(220) In 2002 66.7% of inmates were not Gambian nationals. World Prison Brief, World Prison Brief data, Gambia,
n.d. (url); UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman ordegrading treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), p. 13.
(221) Fatu Network (The), Interior & Justice ministers unexpectedly visit Mile II Prison, 13 February 2017 (url);
JollowNews, Sickening Pictures Inside Gambia’s Mile Two Prisons, 13 February 2017 (url); Point (The), <Conditionsat Mile Two Prison poor>, 14 February 2017 (url); Inside and outside pictures of the Mile 2 prison are available at:
Al-Jazeera, A look inside Gambia’s infamous Mile 2 prison [YouTube], 18 February 2017 (url).
(222) Point (The), Gambia: 98 Prisoners Released From Mile 2 Prison, 3 March 2017 (url); Reuters, Gambia frees
nearly 100 prisoners from Jammeh era, 3 March 2017 (url).
(223) Foroyaa Newspaper, Interior Minister Laments on Deplorable Condition of Mile Two Prisons, 10 July 2017(url).
(224) Until now, all Gambian presidents have also been defence ministers during their presidency. Gambia (The),
State House Online, Office of The President, 2015 (url); SmbcNews, President Barrow is Gambia’s Minister ofDefense, 27 July 2017 (url).
(225) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Sector 191.
(226) Access Gambia, Ministry of Interior, n.d. (url); Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Sector
178.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 37

Gambia Armed Forces (GAF)
The Gambia does not have military conscription. (227) Men and women can enlist voluntarily
at the age of 18. (228)
According to the constitution, the GAF consists of the army – the Gambia National Army (GNA)– the navy and the air force. (229) Each section of the armed forces has its own commander.
Former institutions such as the Gambia Field Force and the Gambia National Gendarmerie(GNG) have been dissolved or transferred into the new structures. (230)
The armed forces are responsible to the Defence Minister/President. In addition to the officeof commander-in-chief of the armed forces to which he was entitled under the constitution,(231) ex-president Jammeh also assumed the office of Defence Minister. (232) President Barrow
still heads the Ministry of Defence. (233)
The GNA has an estimated strength of 1,000 to 2,500 personnel. (234) It is divided into two
infantry battalions, an engineer’s squadron and a Presidential Guard. (235) The army is basedin Yundum, close to Banjul international airport. (236) Other military bases are documented in
Fajara, Yundun, Kudang, Farafenni and Basse. There may be others. (237) Sources disagree on
wether the army has a distinct air force or not. (238) There is a small navy. The army possesses
at least a dozen ships and aircraft. (239) The new army leadership has distanced itself from thepast. (240)The existence of a national guard (Gambian National Guard) is not laid down in theconstitution. It was legitimised in 2008 in the Gambia Armed Forces Bill. (241) The National(227) Access Gambia, Defence & Military in Gambia, n.d. (url).
(228) Access Gambia, Defence & Military in Gambia, n.d. (url).
(229) The GAF was established by the Gambia Armed Forces Act of 1985. Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The Constitutional
Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, 2012, p.103; Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Sectors 186190.
(230) The Gambia Field Force existed from 1958 to 1983. The Gambia National Gendarmerie (GNG) existed from1983 to 1992. Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 168-172.
(231) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002(url), Art. 61.
(232) Gambia (The), State House Online, Office of The President, 2015 (url).
(233) Gambia (The), State House Online, News, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College Students Called
on President Barrow, 20 April 2017 (url).
(234) According to 2016 official figures, the army has circa 1,900 soldiers. Access Gambia, Defence & Military in
Gambia, updated 2016 (url); The Historical Dictionary of The Gambia puts the strength of the army at 2,500
personnel in 2016. Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p.171; accordind to War Resisters’
International, Country report and updates, Gambia, last revision 27 July 1998 (url), the entire Gambian armed
forces in 1998 was just 800 personnel.
(235) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 171.
(236) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 170-171.
(237) GlobalSecurity.org, The Gambia Armed Forces, 2 December 2016 (url); Access Gambia, Defence & Military in
Gambia, 2016 (url).
(238) GlobalSecurity.org, The Gambia Armed Forces, 2 December 2016 (url); Transparency International,
Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index 2015, The Gambia, n.d. (url); UK Home Office’s Country of Origin
Information (COI) Report, The Gambia, 5 November 2013 (url), p. 8; Gambia (The), Laws of the Gambia, The
Gambia Armed Forces, 1990 (url), p. 10.
(239) For detailed figures and a list of the war materials of the Gambian navy and air force, see: GlobalSecurtiy.org,
The Gambia Armed Forces, 2 December 2016 (url); The Gambia had no Air Force, according to the UK Home Office’sCountry of Origin Information (COI) Report, The Gambia, 5 November 2013 (url), p. 8, quoting from thesubscription based IHS Jane's Sentinel Security Country Assessments data.
(240) Foroyaa Newspaper, GAF Dissociates itself from July 22 Celebration – Military chief say, 27 July 2017 (url).
(241) DefenceWeb, The Gambia, 10 June 2013 (url).

38 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

Guard consists of the State Guard, (242) the Special Forces and the Guards Battalion. It isestimated that the National Guard was 700 to 1,000 strong during the Jammeh regime. (243)
From fear of conspiracy and coup attempts, ex-president Jammeh replaced the commandersof the armed forces frequently or moved them to different positions and functions. (244) There
were several attempted coups against Jammeh. The Historical Dictionary of The Gambia lists
the three most serious attempts as follows: (245) the attempted coup in 1994, led by Basiru
Barrow, (246) the one in 2006, led by Ndure Cham (247) and the one in 2014, led by Lamin
Sanneh. (248)
National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
The state security service, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), has existed since 1995, thetime of the provisional government without a constitution. Its legal basis was Decree 45/1995.
(249) The NIA replaced the previous National Security Service. Its purpose initially was to
identify threats within the army. The decree gave the NIA far-reaching powers of surveillance
and arrest. (250) The NIA was legitimised in the 1996 constitution and placed under the directcontrol of the president. (251)
The NIA headquarters were in Banjul. (252) According to human rights organisations, the NIA
ran its own extralegal detention facilities in Banjul and other places. (253)
Human rights organisations and the opposition repeatedly accused the NIA of crimes such as
excessive use of force, illegal arrest, torture and killing. (254) In 2014 a UN special rapporteur
was able to visit selected Gambian prisons and speak to witnesses. Access to the NIA(242) The state guard guarded strategically important points such as the State House, the Presidential Villa in Kanilai
and the Denton Bridge. Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016
Election’, 13 March 2017 (url), pp. 324-325.
(243) GlobalSecurity.org, The Gambia Armed Forces, 2 December 2016 (url); DefenceWeb, The Gambia, 10 June2013 (url).
(244) GlobalSecurity.org, The Gambia Armed Forces, 2 December 2016 (url).
(245) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 229.
(246) Basiru Barrow was killed in 1994 during the coup attempt against the transfer council AFPRC. Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 55.
(247) Ndure Cham was able to flee to Senegal after the 2006 coup attempt. According to unconfirmed information,
he was captured and killed in 2013. Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 84-85;
SmbcNews, Names of 8 soldiers accused of killing Col Ndure Cam released, 20 May 2017 (url).
(248) Ex-officer Lamin Sanneh and his group were killed during the attempted coup in 2014. Since then, there havebeen repeated calls for an investigation of the events. The bodies were exhumed in April 2017. Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 379-380; Standard (The), Police exhumed <Bodies> of Lamin Sanneh& Co, 3 April 2017 (url); Africa Research Bulletin, Bodies Exhumed, 12 May 2017 (url), pp. 21403-21404.
(249) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 308.
(250) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 308; Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveysof the World,Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 525; UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special
Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), p. 6.
(251) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Sector 191.
(252) The headquarters of the NIA in Banjul are shown in: HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), p. 20.
(253) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), pp. 5-6, 16-20; Africa Research Bulletin, Gambia – A Turning Point,
11 December 2016 (url).
(254) HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), pp. 1-2, 16-20, 24; HRW, Gambia, Events of 2016, 2 December
2016 (url); US DoS, The Gambia 2016 Human Rights Report, 3 March 2017 (url); US DoS, The Gambia 2015 Human
Rights Report, 13 April 2016 (url); US DoS, The Gambia 2014 Human Rights Report, 25 June 2015 (url); US DoS, The
Gambia 2013 Human Rights Report, 27 February 2014 (url); UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special
Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, 11 May 2015 (url), pp. 12-13; UK
Home Office, The Gambia, Country of Origin Information (COI) Report, 5 November 2013 (url), pp. 9, 11-14; UK
Home Office, CPIN, Gambia: opposition to the government, December 2015, Re-issued March 2017 (url), pp. 5, 810, 18.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 39

detention cells was denied. In his report, the rapporteur states that torture was common
practice within the NIA. (255) In April 2016, for example, several people from the opposition
United Democratic Party (UDP) and youth organisations, who were taking part in a peacefuldemonstration in Serrekunda demanding reform of the electoral law, were arrested by thepolice. Solo Sandeng, National Organizing Secretary of the UDP, died in detention a short timelater (see Section 2.7 Former government officials - National Intelligence Agency). (256) Others
were seriously injured and tortured, especially by the NIA. (257)
The new President Barrow has announced that the accusations against the NIA will be
investigated. He had the top leaders arrested: Director General Yankuba Badjie andOperational Director Sheikh Omar Jeng (see Section 2.7 Former government officials National Intelligence Agency). (258) The organisation has been succeeded by the StateIntelligence Service (SIS). The new head of the SIS is Musa Dibba. (259) Barrow decreed that
the SIS must in future stick to its constitutional duties and may no longer make arrests. (260)
Amnesty International has made further demands for transparency and accountability. (261)
PoliceThe Gambia Police Force (GPF) has the task of maintaining security within the country andreports to the Interior Minister. (262) It operates various security departments. Its size isestimated at 5000 men and women. (263) It has its own prisons at its headquarters in Banjul
and at various police stations. (264) The chief of the police is the Inspector General. From 2015
this post was held by Yankuba Sonko. Following the change of government in early 2017, heinitially remained in post but was removed in June 2017. (265)During the Jammeh administration, the media and human rights organisations repeatedly
reported excessive use of force at demonstrations, abuses and misuse of power by Gambianpolice units. This criticism was mainly directed at the special units: Serious Crimes Unit, Police
Intervention Unit, Task Force Unit and Operation Bulldozer (see Section 3.1 Freedom of thepress). (266)(255) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), pp. 6-8; Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Secret Prisons, 28
February 2010 (url); ACHPR, Prisons in The Gambia, June 2000 (url), pp. 21-29.
(256) AI, Gambia: Death in detention of key political activist, 16 April 2016 (url).
(257) AI, International Report 2016/2017, 22 February 2017 (url).
(258) Jollofnews, Gambia Arrests Head of Intelligence Agency Linked To Killings, 21 February 2017 (url); SmbcNews,
Lawyers for Gambia’s detained spy chief object special prosecutor appointment, 29 May 2017 (url).
(259) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, 6 March 2017, available by subscription at: (url), p. 21317.
(260) Jollofnews, Gambia’s Feared NIA Renamed, Stripped Of Powers, 1 February 2017 (url); Point (The), NIA
renamed SIS, 1 February 2017 (url).
(261) AI, Human Rights Priorities For The New Gambian Government, 28 April 2017 (url).
(262) Access Gambia, Ministry of Interior, n.d. (url); Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Sector
178.
(263) Interpol, The Gambia Police Force (GPF), 2017 (url). The website shows Gambian policemen and police officers
with their uniforms.
(264) ACHPR, Prisons in The Gambia, June 2000 (url), pp. 14-18.
(265) Poliso Magazine [Facebook], 18 February 2017 (url); Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url),
Sectors 178-180; Africanews, Gambian President Barrow replaces Jammeh-era police chief, 23 June 2017 (url).
(266) HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), pp. 2, 16-17, 25-34, 47-60; Point (The), Super Nawettan final
ends in fiasco, 24 December 2012 (url); Point (The),Two police officers sentenced to death, 31 May 2011 (url);
Media Foundation for West Africa, Gambia: Human Rights Violations in 2011, 14 November 2014 (url); UN Human
Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), p. 7.

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There are reports of use of force by the police even since the change of government. (267) A
unit has been created within the Ministry of the Interior to investigate accusations of
misconduct and human rights violations by police officers. (268)Junglers, Black Boys, Green Boys
The Junglers/Jungulers were a paramilitary unit of ex-president Jammeh. No legal basis forthese troops is documented. There are many names for the Junglers: Black Blacks, Black Boysor Ninja. They were known as ‘black’ because they often dressed in black and covered theirfaces. Most were from the same ethnic group as the president, the Jola. (269) The unit was up
to 40 strong and existed since approximately 1996, and was made up of selected fighters fromthe Presidential Guard. (270) The Junglers were based close to Kanilai, Jammeh’s home village.
They are said to have been under his direct command. The opposition and human rights
organisations accuse them of many cases of extrajudicial detention, torture and killings. (271)After the change of government in early 2017, the new government arrested some membersof the Junglers. Others went into exile with Jammeh or fled. (272) The new government has not
yet announced that the Junglers group has been officially dissolved. However, there is no needto take this step because, as outlined above, there is no legal basis for this troop. Nevertheless,Amnesty International is still urging the new government to disarm and formally disband theJunglers and other paramilitary organisations. (273)
In addition to the Junglers/Black Boys, another paramilitary group existed under Jammeh: theGreen Boys. They arose from the 22nd July Movement (274) and were the military wing of theruling APRC party. Jammeh officially dissolved the 22nd July Movement group in 1999. Manyof its members then established as Green Boys since green is APRC’s party colour (see Glossary
and Abbreviations). They are said to have been involved in the campaign against witchcraft in2009 (see Section 3.6 Withcraft). They are often wrongly confused or equated with theJunglers or the Presidential Guard. (275) According to media reports, some of them enlisted in
the army. (276)
No information was found on whether the new Barrow government has adopted measures inrelation to former members of the Green Boys. Similarly, it was not possible to retrieve
information on whether there are people who were members of both the Black Boys/Junglers(267) Foroyaa Newspaper, 7th Day Charity Conducted for late Krubally Whilst Family Claim to Have Been Denied
Witnessing postmortem, 21 July 2017 (url).
(268) SmbcNews, Gambia creates rights unit to probe police misconduct, human rights violations, 14 June 2017 (url);
SmbcNews, Gambia: Police deny negligence in detainee’s death, 14 June 2017 (url).
(269) Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election, 13 March 2017(url), p. 324.
(270) HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), p. 19.
(271) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, 2 March 2015 (url), p. 7; HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), pp. 1-2, 9, 25-34,
47-60; Africa Research Bulletin, Gambia – A Turning Point, 11 December 2016 (url).
(272) New Vision, Gambia police probing dozens of forced disappearances, 5 April 2017 (url).
(273) AI, Human Rights Priorities For The New Gambian Government, 28 April 2017 (url).
(274) The 22nd July Movement refers to a meeting of the AFPRC on 22 July 1995 at which the youth organisation,
the 22nd July Movement, was founded. The movement became a mass organisation and therefore dangerous to
Jammeh, so he dissolved it in 1999. Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 252.
(275) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 192; Washington Post (The), 5 crazy things about
the Gambian dictator who just survived a coup attempt, 6 January 2015 (url); allAfrica / The Daily Observer,
Gambia: ‘GreenBoys’ Clarify, 11 February 2007 (url); Guardian (The), Gambian state kidnaps 1’000 villagers in masspurge of ‘witchcraft’, 19 March 2009 (url); Wazaonline, The Gambia’s secret torture chambers, 12 March 2010(url); Small Arms Survey, Armed and Aimless: Armed Groups, Guns, and Human Security in The Ecowas Region, 29
April 2005 (url), pp. 263-265.
(276) SmbcNews, EU to help with Gambia’s security reform, 19 May 2017 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 41

and the Green Boys. For more information on former government officials, see Section 2. The
situation of former government officials.

1.10 Economy
In an international comparison, The Gambia is one of the poorest and least developed
countries in the world. The Human Development Index published by the UNDP (United
Nations Development Programme) in 2015 placed it 173rd out of 188 countries. (277) The same
source stated that 57.2% of the population were in multidimensional poverty and 31.7% insevere multidimensional poverty in 2013. (278) The Gambia is economically weak even on aWest African scale: the annual per capita gross national income (GNI) (2014: 433 US dollars)is less than half that of Senegal, the neighbouring country. (279)The pillars of the economy are as follows: (280)








Subsistence agriculture;
Cultivation, processing and export of groundnuts (peanuts);
Tourism;
Remittances (money transfers) from Gambians abroad;Industry;
Trade, export, re-export;
Foreign financial aid.

Approximately three-quarters of the population work in agriculture. Between 2000 and 2015
the share of gross domestic product (GDP) held by agriculture fell from 36% to 22%. (281) The
structure of the agriculture sector has changed very little since colonial times. There is little
diversification. Coarse grains (sorghum and maize) account for half of the cultivated area andgroundnuts for a further quarter. Families also grow produce on a small scale for own
consumption or retail: rice, sorghum, maize, cotton, manioc and vegetables. Livestock rearing
and fishing play an important part in feeding the native population, but contribute very little
to GDP (fishing: 2.1% of GDP). (282) Gambian agriculture covers half the country’s foodrequirements. Paradoxically, only half of the cultivable land is used for agriculture. The otherhalf is not exploited. (283) Gambian agriculture is susceptible to flooding and drought.
Significant harvest losses were caused by the drought of 2011/12 and the late arrival of therains in the 2014/15 season. (284) One-third of the population do not have guaranteed food(277) UNDP, Human Development Index and its components, Index for 2015, 2016 (url), p. 24; Europa Publications,
Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 531.
(278) UNDP, Human Development Report 2016, 2016 (url), p. 218; Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The
Gambia, 2016, p. 345. OECD, African Economic Outlook 2017 - Gambia, 22 May 2017 (url), p. 11.
(279) UNCTAD, Statistical Tables on the Least Developed Countries, 2015 (url), p. 1.
(280) World Bank (The), Country Overview, The Gambia, updated 13 February 2017 (url); Europa Publication, Africa
South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 531.
(281) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 531;
Gambia (The), GBoS / ICF International, The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013, September 2014 (url),
p. 2; UNCTAD, The fisheries sector in the Gambia, 2014 (url), p. 2.
(282) Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), Table 3.1, p. 25., Table 2.2, p. 7; Europa
Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 532; UNCTAD, The
fisheries sector in the Gambia, 2014 (url), p. 2.
(283) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia,
2016, p. 28.
(284) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 531.

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security. According to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2014
and 2016 over 200 000 Gambians were forced to rely on humanitarian aid. (285)Tourism contributes about 20% of the GDP. It is locally concentrated on the beaches along theAtlantic coast. (286) When Ebola broke out in the neighbouring countries in 2014, the numberof tourist arrivals in The Gambia fell by 60%. (287) The political crisis of 2017 also had a negative
effect. The director of the Gambia Tourism Board said that the impact of the unstable situation
on tourism was even more devastating than the fallout from the Ebola crisis. The International
Monetary Fund’s most recent Staff Country Report estimated that in the first quarter of 2017
tourism revenue fell by about a third ($ 8.8 million) due to the political turmoil. (288)Remittances (money transfers) from emigrants to their native country are estimated ataround 10% of GDP (2015: 10.5%, 2016: 9.7%). (289) They are an important factor in stimulating
the economy. The money is usually invested in small businesses and is spent on consumer
goods or house construction. (290)
In 2016 the industry contributed 14.5% to the GDP. One-fifth of the population works in theindustrial sector, mainly in small businesses. Important industries are groundnut processing
and the energy sector. (291)
Many residents run small retail businesses. In terms of international trade, China and India
have partly replaced the EU (particularly France and Great Britain) as the main export
destinations in recent years. Groundnuts in a raw or processed form are the main export
product. (292) The country has a few natural raw materials or mineral resources such asuranium, kaolin and salt. There are thought to be oilfields off the coast. (293)
Until 2011, the re-export of goods to West African states accounted for one-third of GDP. The
Gambia was then forced to change its customs policy under pressure from the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Since then, the revenue from re-exports has
dropped. Goods are still smuggled across the Gambia-Senegal border. Inadequate controls
make it easy for smugglers to ship some Senegalese agricultural produce illegally through theport of Banjul. (294)(285) WHO, Gambia – Humanitarian Response Plan 2016, 2017 (url); OCHA, 2014-2016 Revised Strategic Response
Plan, August 2014 (url).
(286) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia,
2016, pp. 419-420; World Travel & Tourism Council, Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2017 Gambia, March 2017(url), p. 1.
(287) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 420.
(288) IMF, The Gambia, Country Report No. 17/179, 26 June 2017 (url), p. 6; Al Jazeera, Doha. The Gambia hoping
to revive key tourism industry, 5 February 2017 (url); Gambia (The), Gambia Tourism Board, 2017 Official Country
Guide, 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Phoenix. Tourism suffered $ 4.5M loss over Jammeh’s refusal to step down, 9February 2017 (url).
(289) IMF, The Gambia, Country Report No. 17/179, 26 June 2017 (url), Table 7, p. 28; The review ‘Africa South of
the Sahara’ estimated the share of remittances in GDP at just 5.5 % in 2012, while the CIA estimated remittances
amount one fifth of the GDP; Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara
2016, 2015, p. 532; CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url).
(290) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 532;
African Arguments, Between a rock and a hard place, 4 May 2016 (url); Freedom Newspaper, Gambia: Election
Year 2016: The Gambian Diaspora And The Jammeh Regime, 26 January 2016 (url); Gaibazzi, Paolo, Migration,
Soninke Young Men and the Dynamics of Staying Behind, 2010, p. 204.
(291) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of
the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 531.
(292) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url).
(293) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 524.
(294) Thanks to lower customs duties, Gambian dealers imported goods and sold them on at a profit to Senegal orcountries without access to the sea. Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound, 2015, p. 43; Europa Publications, Europa Regional
Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 532.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 43

The Gambia is a central trading centre in the illegal drugs trade between Latin America andEurope. (295) However, this could change due to the downfall of Jammeh. (296) It is also
suspected that methamphetamine is produced in the country. (297) In addition, The Gambia
plays a role in smuggling and trading diamonds from Liberia. (298)In 2016 The Gambia was ranked 145th out of 176 countries in the corruption index publishedby Transparency International. (299)The country is dependent on financial aid from abroad. According to information from theUnited Nations Conference on Trade and Developments (UNCTAD), in 2013 aid from foreign
donors accounted for 11% of GDP. (300) Because of accusations of human rights abuses in The
Gambia, from 2012 onwards the country was excluded from payments and development
programmes from western donors: in 2012 it was excluded from the US African Growth andOpportunity Act (AGOA) programmes; n 2015 the EU refused payment of 163 billion dollars.
(301)
When Jammeh went into exile in Equatorial Guinea early in 2017, he took assets with an
unknown value with him. (302) The media said that the country was ‘almost bankrupt’. (303)
Low harvest yields, anxious tourists and investors and growing national debt all contributed
to further deterioration of the economic situation. (304) Foreign donors promised the Barrow
government financial support on condition that it would respect human rights and encourage
the development of democracy. (305)(295) According to US data, cocaine with an estimated value of 2 billion dollars is smuggled through The Gambia
every year, along with heroin, cannabis, opium, etc. Novak, Andrew, Legislative note: the abolition of the death
penalty for drug offenses in The Gambia, 29 March 2012 (url), pp. 63-65; African Online News, Gambia makes West
Africa’s biggest ever drug bust, 27 July 2010 (url); SmbcNews, Gambia to crackdown on drugs peddlers after
torching of 2 tons of marijuana, 26 April 2017 (url); SmbcNews, South American drugs continue to flow throughthe Gambia, 12 July 2017 (url); Diarisso, Boubacar and Goredema, Charles, Illicit drug trading in Dakar, Dimensions
and intersections with governance, August 2014 (url), pp. 2-5, 7.
(296) Sanyang, Edrissa and Camara, Sanna, The Gambia after Elections: Implications for Governance and Security inWest Africa, 2017 (url).
(297) Maïga, Aïssata and Tompkins, Elizabeth, West Africa’s New Drug of Choice: The Rise of Methamphetamine, 12June 2014 (url); Reuters, Special Report: West Africa’s alarming growth industry – meth, 27 July 2015 (url).
(298) Bellagamba, Alice, Solo Darboe, Former Diamond Dealer, Transnational Connections and Home Politics in the
Twentieth-Century Gambia, 2016, p. 280; Small Arms Survey, Armed and Aimless: Armed Groups, Guns, andHuman Security in the Ecowas Region, 29 April 2005 (url), pp. 263, 265, Footnote 9.
(299) Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2016, 25 January 2017 (url).
(300) UNCTAD, The fisheries sector in the Gambia, 2014 (url), p. 2.
(301) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 532.
(302) Justice minister Abubacarr Tambadou estimated that the assets which Jammeh had taken with him were
worth at least 50 million USD. Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, 14 June 2017, available by subscription at:(url), p. 21429; Tambadou announced in July 2017 that his Commission would investigate Jammeh’s assets. Foroyaa
Newspaper, Gov’t plans to establish another Commission of Inquiry, 21 July 2017 (url).
(303) World Politics Review, After Helping Solve Gambia’s Political Crisis, Senegal Needs an Exit Strategy, 7 April
2017 (url).
(304) IMF, The Gambia, Country Report No. 17/179, 26 June 2017, pp. 5-7; OECD, African Economic Outlook,
Gambia, 2017, pp. 2-8.
(305) World Politics Review, After Helping Solve Gambia’s Political Crisis, Senegal Needs an Exit Strategy, 7 April
2017 (url); Gambia (The), Office of the President, World Bank and IMF Missions Met President Barrow, 5 April 2017(url); IMF, IMF Staff Concludes Visit to The Gambia, 13 April 2017 (url); IMF, IMF Executive Board Approves
US$16.1Million Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility for The Gambia, 26 June 2017 (url); Daily Observer,
UN Pledges UD$3m to Support Gambia’s Peace-Building Initiative, 22 March 2017 (url); SmbcNews, $500M invest
in Gambia could see seaport expansion, railway link built, 17 May 2017 (url); Gambia (The), Office of The President,
Fourth Cabinet meeting focuses on Finance and Economic Affairs, Fisheries and Security matters, 28 June 2017(url); SmbcNews, EU will give Gambia another e33M euros before year’s end, 27 July 2017 (url).

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Currency, inflation
The Gambian currency is the dalasi (Gambian dalasi GMD). A dalasi is divided into 100 bututs.
(306) Coins worth 1 butut, 5 bututs, 10 bututs, 25 bututs, 50 bututs and 1 dalasi are in
circulation. (307) A new series of banknotes was introduced in 2015. There are notes worth 5,
10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 dalasis. The notes from the previous series, including the 25 dalasinote, remained valid. (308)
One US dollar was worth around 32 dalasis in 2012, around 41 dalasis in 2014, (309) around 49
dalasis in early 2015, around 42 dalasis in early 2016, (310) and around 46 dalasis in July 2017.
(311)
In 2001 the inflation rate was below 5% but in 2003 it rose to the record rate of 17%. (312) It
was 7% in December 2014, (313) 7.49% in December 2016 (314) and 8.8% in January andFebruary 2017, during and immediately after the political crisis following Adama Barrow’s
victory in the presidential election. The most recent data are for April 2017, when the figure
was 8.7%. (315)1.11 Religion
The constitution of The Gambia prohibits religious discrimination, religious parties and theestablishment of a state religion. (316)
Religious affiliation
The overwhelming majority of the population of The Gambia is Muslim (96%). (317) Most ofthese are Sunnis and followers of Sufism. (318) The two main Sufi brotherhoods in The Gambia(306) Central Bank of the Gambia, Development of Currency in The Gambia, n.d. (url).
(307) Access Gambia, Gambia Money Information – Dalasi, 2017 (url).
(308) Banknote News, Gambia new dalasi note family confirmed, 26 April 2015 (url); Central Bank of The Gambia,
Your new banknotes, 2015 (url).
(309) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 536;
Exchange-rates, Wechselkurse, GMD in CHF, 27 July 2017 (url); Central Bank of The Gambia, Inflation Outlook, 9
May 2017 (url).
(310) Central Bank of The Gambia, Overview, Quarter 1, January – March 2016 (url), p. 13.
(311) Exchange-rates, Wechselkurse, USD in GMD, 27 July 2017 (url).
(312) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 533;
Access Gambia, Economy of Gambia, updated 2017 (url).
(313) Access Gambia, Economy of Gambia, updated 2017 (url).
(314) CIA, World Factbook. The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url).
(315) Trading Economics, Gambia Inflation Rate 1962-2017, June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), GBoS, Consumer Price
Index, last updated February 2017 (url).
(316) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), pp. 12, 28, 41, 62.
(317) Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution, n.d. (url), vol. 5, p. 6; CIA, The
World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url); Gambia (The), Gambia Tourism Board, 2015 Official Country
Guide, 2015 (url).
(318) Sufism is a collective term for paths of Islam which are identified as mystical. The Sufis, who dressed in wool
(Arabic suf), were ascetics who sought to comprehend the inner meaning of the Koran through various meditation
practices or ecstasy. From the 12th/13th century onwards, Sufi orders were formed under the spiritual leadershipof a sheikh. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Sufism, last updated: 24 January 2017 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 45

are the orders of Tijaniyya (319) and Qadiriyya (320). A minority belong to the Mouride(Muridiyya) brotherhood. (321) Brotherhoods offer social and political orientation, religious
guidance and an organisational framework. They are made up of scholars, families and family
associations. The scholars, in particular, follow the teachings of a sheikh, or marabout. A caliph
may have authority over the marabouts and scholars in the order. The spiritual leaders areoften mediators between the followers and local government representatives. The followers
may have economic links with each other or be organised into collective farms. (322)
A minority of Gambian Muslims are not followers of the Sufi orders but of reformist paths ofIslam wich dimiss local Islamic traditions. They include the Tablighi Jama’at, the Salafiyya, and
the Ahmadiyya. (323) The Tablighi Jama’at and the Salafiyya are particularly popular among
Gambian youth. (324) In recent years the Tablighi community has gained a larger number offollowers within different ethnic groups. (325) In contrast to the Salafiyya striving to reformMuslim society by means of education (creation of madrassas, education in Arabic), theTablighi focus on missionary work by lay preaching in English. Tablighi probably stilloutnumber Salafiyya but it seems that there is a trend among inquisitive youth to leave the
Tablighi organisation for the Salafiyya. (326)Approximately four per cent of the population are Christian. (327) Most of these are membersof the Roman Catholic Church. The diocese of Banjul is the only Catholic diocese in the
country. There are also churches and communities of Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans,
Abiding Word Ministries (ABM) and other Pentecostal churches, and various evangelicaldenominations. There are also small communities of Bahais and Hindus. (328)(319) The Sufi order of the Tijaniyya (Tiǧānīya) arose at the end of the 18th century in the Maghreb and spreadthroughout sub-Saharan Africa during the 19th century. There, it developed into the Sufi brotherhood with thegreatest influence and the most followers. Ibrahim Niasse (1900-1975) was later responsible for the revival of
Sufism in West Africa. Abun-Nasr, Jamil M., The Tijaniyya: a Sufi Order in the Modern World, 1965; Robinson, Davidand Triaud, Jean-Louis, La Tijâniyya, Une confrérie musulmane à la conquête de l’Afrique, 2000; Seesemann,
Rüdiger, The Divine Flood, Ibrāhīm Niasse and the Roots of a Twentieth-Century Sufi Revival, 2011.
(320) The Sufi order of the Qadiriyya was founded by the mystic Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani in the 12th century in Baghdad
and reached West Africa in the 15th century. Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 351.
(321) The Muridiyya was founded in Senegal in the late 19th century by Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba and still plays acentral role there today. A specific feature of this order is that its followers are organised in and work on collective
farms, known as daara. Glover, John, Sufism and Jihad in Modern Senegal, The Murid Order, 2007; Winkelhane,
Gerd and Seesemann, Rüdiger, Ahmadu Bamba und die Entstehung der Muridiya, 1993; Centro Studi sulle Nuove
Religione, Un sufismo degli immigrati: i Muridi e i Layennes, update 23 February 2017 (url).
(322) Janson, Marloes, The Best Hand Is the Hand That Always Gives, 2002; Seesemann, Rüdiger, The Divine Flood,2011.
(323) The Ahmadiyya is a reformist movement within Islam. It was founded by Ghulam Ahmad (died 1908) from the
Punjab. A prophetic form of Mahdism is central to its teaching. The Ahmadiyya is controversial in the Islamic world
and is banned in some places; Fisher, Humphrey J., Ahmadiyya: A Study in Contemporary Islam on the West African
Coast, 1963; Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 29-30, 214-215; Janson, Marloes, ‘How,
for God’s sake, can I be a good Muslim?’: Gambian youth in search of a moral lifestyle, 2016 (url).
(324) Janson, Marloes, ‘How, for God’s sake, can I be a good Muslim?’: Gambian youth in search of a moral lifestyle,2016 (url); Maroney, Eric, Mummy in the Bush – Old and News Islam in Gambia, May 2011 (url).
(325) Sufi orders keep a critical eye on the community. Janson, Marloes, Islam, Youth and Modernity in the Gambia,
The Tablighi Jama’at, 2014, pp. 26-29, 39-42, 82-84.
(326) Janson, Marloes, Islam, Youth and Modernity in the Gambia, The Tablighi Jama’at, 2014, pp. 20-21, 254;
Janson, Marloes, ‘How, for God’s sake, can I be a good Muslim?’: Gambian youth in search of a moral lifestyle,2016 (url).
(327) US DoS, International Religious Freedom Report, The Gambia 2015, 10 August 2016 (url), p. 2.
(328) US DoS, International Religious Freedom Report, The Gambia 2015, 10 August 2016 (url); Access Gambia,
Religion in Gambia, n.d. (url); Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara
2016, 2015, pp. 556-557; Curley, Christine Elizabeth, Anglican Stagnation and Growth in West Africa: The Case of
St. Paul’s Church, Fajara, The Gambia, 2012 (url).

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The relationship between Muslims and Christians is essentially peaceful. (329) Marriage
between the communities is possible, but with the observance that according to the sharia it
is not allowed for a non muslim man to marry a muslim women. It is not unusual for there to
be members of the Muslim and Christian religions within the same family. (330) There are noreports of forced conversions. (331)Less than one per cent of the Gambians are followers of animistic religions. (332) Syncretism
between Islam, Christianity and traditional religion is common. Many Gambian Muslims andChristians practice rituals which could be considered animistic. Belief in witchcraft is also
widespread throughout Gambia. Hence, many Gambians use amulets (called jujus) in order toprotect themselves from occult forces. They may also rely on fetishes or consult Marabouts
or witchdoctors. (333)
Political dimension of Islam
In 2015 ex-president Jammeh declared The Gambia an Islamic republic. The media, civilsociety organisations and political opponents protested against this decree by pointing outthat it was against the constitution. Jammeh did not explain the consequences of his decision,
but said that Christians would still be respected. (334) Following the change of government inearly 2017, one of new President Barrow’s first announcements was that The Gambia was nolonger an Islamic republic. (335) Even before assuming office, the newly elected President
Adama Barrow declared that Gambia was a secular state, as stated in its Constitution 336.
During the last years of his regime, ex-president Jammeh and the Supreme Islamic Council
associated with him cultivated a close relationship with the Gulf states and a stricter
interpretation of Sunni Islam. Gulf states educated Gambian clerics and financed mosques,
schools and other projects. (337) Jammeh and the Supreme Islamic Council declared that
believers who, in their eyes, had deviated from Sunni Islam were non-Muslim communities.
Sources indicate that the religious freedom of the Ahmadiyya, in particular, was restricted.
(338)(329) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 357-358; Fredriks, Martha, We Have Toiled All
Night: Christianity in The Gambia 1456-2000, 2003; Wignall, Ross, From Swagger to Serious, 2016 (url), pp. 288323, 304.
(330) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, S. 357-358.
(331) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 358; US DoS, International Religious Freedom
Report, The Gambia 2015, 10 August 2016 (url).
(332) US DoS, International Religious Freedom Report, The Gambia 2015, 10 August 2016 (url).
(333) Access Gambia, Gambian Muslims & Islamic Practices, n.d. (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The
Gambia, 2016, pp. 422-423; Gierczynski-Bocandé, Ute, Sankt Augustin, Islam und Demokratie in Senegal, 29January 2008 (url), pp. 119-121; Thomson, Steven K., Christianity, Islam, and ‘The Religion of Pouring’, 2012 (url),
pp. 240-276.
(334) US DoS, International Religious Freedom Report, The Gambia 2015, 10 August 2016 (url); Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 215; African Arguments, What does Jammeh have to gain by making
The Gambia an Islamic Republic?, 28 January 2016 (url); Lieven, Samuel, La Gambie s’autoproclame « État islamique», 13 December 2015 (url); BBC News, Gambia orders female workers <to cover hair>, 5 January 2016 (url); Global
Voices, Signs of Islamic Law Taking Root in The Gambia, 10 January 2016 (url); Daily Observer, Presidential Adviser
Tasks Religious Leaders to Resolve Tallinding, Ahmadiya Deadlock, 31 May 2017 (url).
(335) Voice of America (The), Gambian President Jammeh Says He Will Not Step Down, 20 December 2016 (url);Africa confidential, Gambia at the cliff-edge, 16 December 2016 (url); BAMF, Briefing Notes, 6 February 2017 (url).
336 SmbcNews, Barrow to make good on his promise to keep Gambia secular, 28 December 2016 (url).
(337) African Arguments, What does Jammeh have to gain by making The Gambia an Islamic Republic? 28 January
2016 (url); African Arguments, New friends, new risks as the Gambia looks East, 16 May 2016 (url).
(338) African Arguments, What does Jammeh have to gain by making The Gambia an Islamic Republic?, 28 January
2016 (url); African Arguments, New friends, new risks as the Gambia looks East, 16 May 2016 (url); US DoS,International Religious Freedom Report, The Gambia 2014, 14 October 2015 (url); allAfrica, Gambia: Ahmadiyya

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 47

The proclamation of the Islamic republic, Jammeh’s proximity to three controversial membersof the Supreme Islamic Council (339) and the restrictions placed on the Ahmadiyya were notedwith unease by not only the Christian, but also parts of the Muslim community. (340) Due topublic pressure, Jammeh was forced to make some concessions. (341)
There was contradictory information about Jammeh’s relationship with Shiite Islam. It was
rumoured that he had bought weapons from Iran and sold them on to the LebaneseHezbollah. The Gambia officially broke off diplomatic relations with Iran in 2010. (342)
To date, no jihadist terror attacks have been documented in The Gambia. However, due tothe porous borders with Senegal, there are concerns about possible infiltration by jihadist
terror groups from the Sahel area. (343)

1.12 Media and communication
In an official survey conducted in 2013, 60% of Gambian women and 73% of men aged 15-49
said that they listened to the radio at least once a week. 47% of women and 60% of men said
that they watched television at least once a week. 9% of women and 20% of men said thatthey read newspapers at least once a week. 30% of women and 16% of men used none of themedia mentioned at least once a week. Women living in urban areas were more likely thanthose in rural aras to listen to the radio at least once a week (63% compared with 56%); towatch television at least once a week (63% compared with 27%); and to read newspapers atleast once a week (14% compared with 2%). Similar differences were reported for men. (344)Radio programmes, news websites and television stations can be accessed online in The
Gambia. International broadcasters such as the BBC, Voice of America and news websites
from the diaspora which were very critical of the Jammeh government are an importantsource of information. Ownership of mobile phones and use of the internet are increasing. In
2013, 54% of of the Gambian population possessed a mobile phone and 80% had access to amobile phone. (345) The country currently has significantly more mobile phones than
inhabitants. (346) Mobile phone services are provided by a number of Gambian providers
including Africell (Gambia), Comium Gambia, Gamcel and QCell Gambia. The Gambia
Reacts to Allegations, 2 February 2015 (url); US DoS, International Religious Freedom Report, The Gambia 2015,
10 August 2016 (url); Islam in the Gambia [online radio], [website], n.d. (url).
(339) Imam Ratib of Banjul, Cherno Kah and the imam of the State House mosque were unpopular within the Muslim
community. Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election, 13 March2017 (url), pp. 335.
(340) Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election, 13 March 2017(url), pp. 335-337.
(341) BBC, London. Gambia's President Jammeh lifts ban on uncovered hair, 14 January 2016 (url).
(342) ISPSW, Strategy Series: Focus on Defense and International Security, August 2012 (url); Center for a New
American Security, Pushback, Countering the Iran Action Network, September 2013 (url), pp. 13, 20; Small Arms
Survey, Rogue Rocketeers, Artillery Rockets and Armed Groups, July 2014 (url), pp. 34, 47, 51; Africa Confidential,
Iranian guns and a king in Banjul, 3 December 2010 (url); Now News, Hezbollah buying Iranian arms from Gambia,
paper reports, 28 February 2011 (url); CNN, Gambia cuts economic, diplomatic ties with Iran, 23 November 2010(url); BBC News, Gambia cuts ties with Iran and orders diplomats to go, 23 November 2010 (url).
(343) Jamestown Foundation (The), Leaving Islamism Aside: The Gambia Under Adama Barrow, 5 May 2017 (url);
Telegraph (The), Will terrorism derail West Africa’s fledgling tourism industry, 17 March 2016 (url); Basel Instituteon Governance, Desk study on the capacities and needs of Sahel-zone countries to combat the financing ofterrorism, 31 August 2012, pp. 19-21.
(344) Gambia (The), GBoS / ICF International, The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013, September 2014(url), pp. 36-38.
(345) Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Access to Information and Communication
technology, n.d. (url), pp. 16-18.
(346) CIA, The World Factbook: The Gambia, 19 June 2017 (url).

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Telecommunications Co Ltd (GAMTEL) is the only fixed-line operator. (347) In 2013, 5% of the
population hat access to a land phone. (348) In 2016, approximately 18.5% of the Gambian
population used the internet. (349)Radio
There are approximately 30 radio stations with a Gambian programme; some of these areproduced by the diaspora. The stations are available on the internet. (350) At election time, theJammeh government repeatedly blocked critical radio stations. (351) During the first fivemonths after the change of government, 30 new applications for radio stations were received
in the country. (352)
Important radio stations are:Gambia Radio & Television Services (GRTS): the state radio and television station. It
broadcasts in English, French and some local languages; (353)
Private stations such as West Coast Radio, Capital FM, Unique FM, Paradise Radio,
Afri Radio, etc.; (354)Diaspora radio broadcasters which are based in Great Britain or the USA (Freedom
Radio, Jollofnews Radio, Fatu Network Radio, Gainako Radio, and international radio
stations such as the BBC and Voice of America; (355)
Broadcasters with an Islamic message such as Al Falaah FM or the broadcasts fromthe Supreme Islamic Council, whose website offers recitations from the Koran in
Arabic and sermons, instruction and exegesis of the Koran in Mandinka, Serahule,
Wolof and Jola. (356)Television

There is only one Gambian television station: the state-run GRTS (Gambia Radio & Television
Services). (357) Satellite TV and international broadcasters such as the BBC, Al Jazeera andPremium TV are popular. (358)(347) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016. 2015, p. 541;
Access Gambia, Gambia Telecoms Companies, n.d. (url); BuddeComm, Sydney. Gambia – Telecoms, Mobile,
Broadband and Digital Media – Statistics and Analyses, last updated 10 January 2017 (url).
(348) Gambia (The), GBoS, 2013 Population and Housing Census: Access to Information and Communication
technology, n.d. (url), pp. 16-18.
(349) International Telecommunication Union, Geneva. Percentage of Individuals using the Internet, 2017 URL.
(350) Gambia Radio (The), Gambia Radio Stations, n.d. (url); Live Online Radio, Gambia Radio List, n.d. (url).
(351) During the political and constitutional crisis in early 2017, the government blocked three radio stations:
Taranga FM, Hilltop Radio, Afri Radio. Taranga FM had previously been blocked many times. CPJ, Gambia orders
three radio stations to cease broadcasting, 5 January 2017 (url); UK Home Office, CPIN, Gambia: opposition to thegovernment, December 2015 , Re-issued March 2017 (url), p. 14.
(352) Voice of America (The), Gambian Media Thriving Since Jammeh’s Departure, 14 June 2017 (url).
(353) GRTS, The Gambia Radio and Television Services, Radio, n.d. (url); Europa Publications, Europa Regional
Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 541; Access Gambia, GRTS – Gambia Radio &Television Services, n.d. (url).
(354) The stations can be accessed at: Live Online Radio, Gambia Radio List, [website], n.d. (url).
(355) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 541; Live
Online Radio, Gambia Radio List, n.d. (url).
(356) Al Falaah FM [website], n.d. (url); Islam in the Gambia [website], n.d. (url).
(357) GRTS [website], n.d. (url).
(358) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 541.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 49

Newspapers, websites
The printed newspapers have a small circulation. However, this has increased since thechange of government. (359) The newspapers’ websites have a greater reach than the printed
editions. Important newspapers and websites include The Daily News, The Daily Observer,
Foroyaa Newspaper, The Point and The Standard. (360) Websites such as Freedom Newspaper
which are produced by the diaspora and were extremely critical of the Jammeh government
receive considerable attention. (361) Jammeh tried repeatedly to block these websites. He also
tried to block other communication channels such as WhatsApp, Viber and Skype. (362) Twitter,
Facebook and Youtube are becoming increasingly important methods of disseminating
information. (363)

1.13 Healthcare
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is responsible for coordinating and implementing
the decentralised, three-tier healthcare system. At the primary level, there were 824 primary
health care centres in 2015 which provided simple medical care. For larger initiatives, such as
vaccination or awareness raising campaigns, they were supported by 50 second-tier healthfacilities. (364) The third tier is made up of six general hospitals, a research institute with British
involvement (Medical Research Council) and the hospital with the best reputation in the
country: the university hospital – the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital – in Banjul(former name: Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital). In addition to the state facilities, in 2015, 55
health facilities were run privately or by NGOs. (365) The majority of the health care facilities
are located in the urban area, which means that access to health services is more complex inrural areas. (366) In 2015, three (Lower River, North Bank West and Upper River) from eight
health regions had no hospitals. (367)
In general all the facilities suffer from a lack of well-trained staff and deficiencies in terms ofinfrastructure, medical equipment and supplies of certain medicines. In 2015, there were 213
medical officers in The Gambia (1.1 doctor for 10,000 inhabitants). (368) Health is underfunded,(359) Voice of America (The), Gambian Media Thriving Since Jammeh's Departure, 14 June 2017 (url).
(360) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 541;
Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 311-313; Access Gambia, Newspapers in Gambia(Online), n.d. (url); Daily Observer (The), [website], n.d. (url); Daily News (The), [website], n.d. (url); Foroyaa
Newspaper, [website], n.d. (url); Point (The), [website], n.d. (url); Standard (The),[website], n.d. (url).
(361) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 214, 313; Freedom Newspaper, [website], n.d.
(url).
(362) The websites of the diaspora news sites were blocked during 2016. Viber, WhatsApp and Skype were also
blocked from August 2016 in the run-up to the presidential elections. Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2016
– Gambia, 14 November 2016 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 214, 313.
(363) Youtube, Facebook and Twitter were not blocked in late 2015/early 2016. Temporary restrictions were
imposed from August 2016 in the run-up to the presidential elections. Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2016
– Gambia, 14 November 2016 (url), pp. 5-7.
(364) Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), Table 10.1, p. 93; WHO,Ebola virus disease
preparedness strengthening team, Gambia country visit 17-22 November 2014 (url), pp. 8-10; Gambia (The),
Ministry of Health ans Social Welfare, The Gambia National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2014-2020, n.d. (url).
(365) Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), Table 10.1, p. 93; WHO, Ebola virus disease
preparedness strengthening team, Gambia country visit 17-22 November 2014, 16 December 2014 (url), pp. 8-10;
Access Gambia, General Hospitals in Gambia, n.d. (url); Barrow, Lamin F.M., Factors that influence access to mental
health care service, 2016 (url), pp. 17-18.
(366) Barrow, Lamin F.M., Factors that influence access to mental health care service, 2016 (url), p. 17.
(367) Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), Table 10.1, p. 93.
(368) World Bank (The), Technical Brief: The Gambia, December 2015 (url); Barrow, Lamin F.M., Factors that
influence access to mental health care service, 2016 (url), p. 18; Blank, Molly and Brackett, Jackie, Travel Report,

50 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

especially in the primary and secondary level. (369) Under the Jammeh government, thenumber of healthcare facilities rose and there were improvements in life expectancy and childmortality. Meningitis, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and measles still represented health challenges.
No cases of Ebola were documented in The Gambia during the 2013-16 crisis in West Africa.
(370) Thanks to international aid, substantial progress has been made in the battle against
malaria. (371) However, with 176 malaria deaths registred in 2015, (372) the healthcare system
in The Gambia still faces significant challenges.
Traditional medicine constitutes often the first point of contact for a significant proportion ofGambian patients, as practitioners are scattered throughout the country and thus moreaccessible in rural regions. Moreover, they often allow payments in kind or over time options,which are more convenient for poor households. The Gambian authorities strive for a stronger
partnership with traditional practitioners in order to improve health service delivery. (373)
There is no social health insurance in The Gambia. Thus, out-of-the pocket expenditure on
health is high and constitutes a heavy burden for households. (374)

1.14 Transport system
Air travel
Gambia has one airport: the international airport of Banjul (also known as Yundum airport). A
number of airlines including Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and vueling fly directly toBanjul, especially from European and West African destinations. Charter flights from and to
Great Britain, Scandinavia and the Netherlands are crucial to tourism. (375) In 2015, 134,560
tourists arrived by air. (376) There are no local airports or domestic flights. (377)On-site assessment of healthcare systems and mPharesis integration feasibility in The Gambia, 19 September 2012(url), pp. 3-7; Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), Table 10.1, p. 93.
(369) World Bank (The), Technical Brief: The Gambia, December 2015 (url); Blank, Molly and Brackett, Jackie, Travel
Report, On-site assessment of healthcare systems and mPharesis integration feasibility in The Gambia, 19
September 2012 (url), pp. 3-7.
(370) WHO, WHO Country Cooperation 2008-2013, Gambia, 2009 (url), pp. 3-8; WHO, Gambia: WHO statisticalprofile, last updated January 2015 (url); Barrow, Lamin F.M., Factors that influence access to mental health careservice, 2016 (url), pp. 17-18; WHO, Ebola virus disease preparedness strengthening team, 16 December 2014 (url),
p. 18; WHO, Global Health Observatory country views, last updated 10 November 2016 (url); WHO, Humanitarian
Response Plan 2016, 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 86-87, 127, 201;
Berger, Stephen, Infectious Diseases of Gambia, 2017 (url), p. 42; Gambia (The), The Gambia Demographic and`Health Survey 2013, September 2014 (url), p. 3; McConnell, Bonnie B. and Dabore, Buba, Music and the Ecology
of Fear, 2017 (url), pp. 29-42.
(371) Catholic Relief Services, The Gambia Nears <Last Mile> of Malaria Elimination, 5 July 2017 (url); Thompson
Reuters Foundation, Gambia on funding drive to become first sub-Saharan nation free of malaria, 12 July 2017(url).
(372) Catholic Relief Services, The Gambia Nears <Last Mile> of Malaria Elimination, 5 July 2017 (url); Thompson
Reuters Foundation, Gambia on funding drive to become first sub-Saharan nation free of malaria, , 12 July 2017(url); Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), p. 95.
(373) Gambia (The), Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Banjul. The Gambian National Health Policy 2012-2020,
April 2012 (url), p. 41; World Bank, Health and Poverty in the Gambia, 2005 (url), p.31.
(374) Gambia (The), Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Banjul. The Gambian National Health Policy 2012-2020,
April 2012 (url), p. 41; Sundby, Johanne, A rollercoaster of policy shifts, September 2014 (url).
(375) Access Gambia, Banjul International Airport Information, n.d. (url); FlightStats, (BJL) Yundum International
Airports Arrival, n.d. (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 419.
(376) Gambia (The), GBoS, Statistical Abstract 2016, March 2017 (url), p 70.
(377) Access Gambia, Banjul International Airport Information, n.d. (url); GCAA, [website], n.d. (url); Europa
Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 543.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 51

Port/river traffic
The port of Banjul is the most important port in The Gambia. Ocean-going ships can travel atleast until Kaur (190 km upstream) or even further on until Kuntaur (240 km upstream). (378)There are approximately 20 wharves for small boats along the river Gambia. A journey to thefurthest port of Basse in the Upper River Region takes about five days, including loading andunloading. The river is used primarily for the transport of goods. For passengers, there is aboat service once a week from Banjul to Basse as well as excursion boats over shorter
stretches. People normally use the roads parallel to the Gambia River. (379)Rail
There are no railways in The Gambia (and never have been any). (380)Road traffic
The country has two main transport routes parallel to the Gambia River: one road on the
North Bank and one at the South Bank. The road network is in poor condition. In 2015, thetotal length of roads was 15,514 kilometres of which 62.5% were paved. (381) Transit traffic
travels slowly and is considered precarious, and the Gambia River can only be crossed by ferry(see Map 3: Ferries across The Gambia). (382) There are very few bridges over the tributariesof the Gambia: the link to St. Mary Island in the capital Banjul, (383) the link to MacCarthy Island
near Sankuli Kunda/Janjanbureh (384) and the small bridge near Chamoi (385) in the far east of
the country.
The plan to build a large Gambia Bridge near Farafenni (North Bank region, Kerewan LGA) has
been under discussion for decades. The Trans-Gambia bridge would provide a rapid transport
link in the north-south direction to Senegal and become part of the Trans-Gambia Highway.
More broadly, it would be part of the Trans-West African Highway from Dakar to Lagos. (386)
The foundation stone was laid in February 2015 and the bridge is currently expected to befinished by 2018. (387)
A UN overview map from 2017 shows the border posts and access points. (388)(378) Gambia (The), Gambia Ports Authority, Banjul, n.d. (url); Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of theWorld, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 543; Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p.
177.
(379) Gambia (The), Gambia Ports Authority, [website], n.d. (url); LCA/WFP, Gambia Waterways Assessment, 1
November 2011, updated December 2013 (url).; Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa
South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, pp. 524, 543; Gregg, Emma and Trillo, Richard, The Rough Guide to The Gambia,
2016, p. 48.
(380) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 531.
(381) LCA/WFP, Gambia Road Network, 01 November 2011, updated December 2013 (url); Foroyaa Newspaper, <80
percent of our road nework are poor> - says Minister Jobe, 7 July 2017 (url).
(382) NZZ, Das Chaos in Afrika hat System, 15 December 2016 (url).
(383) Access Gambia, Denton Bridge & Oyster Creek, n.d. (url).
(384) Google Maps, Sankuli Kunda, Gambia [Extract from satellite map], n.d (url),(385) Access Gambia, Roads & Bridges in Gambia, n.d. (url).
(386) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 532;
African Development Fund, Trans-Gambia Corridor, November 2011 (url); Point (The) Trans-Gambia Bridge Project– what you need to know, 21 May 2014 (url); World Policy Institute [blog], The Trans-Gambia Highway: Integration
or Isolation?, 14 June 2016 (url).
(387) Point (The), Foundation stone laid for D4B Trans-Gambia bridge, 23 February 2015 (url) ; Jeune Afrique, Sans
Yahya Jammeh, enfin la paix en Casamance?, 6 June 2017 (url).
(388) UN OCHA, Gambia: Roads and border access, 4 January 2017 (url).

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1.15 Citizenship and identity documents
Citizenship
Between 1889 and 1965, most residents of The Gambia were British protected persons,although residents of the colony were British subjects. (389) British naturalisation acts werepassed in 1873 and 1894. (390) When The Gambia gained independence in 1965, the British
Gambia Independence Act of 17 December 1964 (391) governed the retention or loss of British
citizenship. The Gambia Independence Order of 29 January 1965 (392) and the Gambia
Nationality and Citizenship Act of 11 January 1965 (entered into force on 18 February 1965)(393) laid the foundations for Gambian citizenship. Gambian citizenship was granted to: (394)Any person who was born in The Gambia and who, on the date of independence, wasunder the protection of the United Kingdom or was one of its citizens and whose
father or grandfather was born in The Gambia;
Any person who was born outside The Gambia and whose father had become a citizenof The Gambia;
Any woman who married a citizen of The Gambia.

Under the 1970 constitution, Gambian citizenship was granted to: (395)

Any person born in The Gambia since its independence on 18 February 1965 andhaving at least one parent with Gambian citizenship;
Any person born outside The Gambia since its independence on 18 February 1965 andwhose father held Gambian citizenship.

According to the 1996 constitution (amended 2001) currently in force, Gambian citizenship is
granted to:

Any person born in The Gambia after 1997 and having at least one Gambian parent;
Any person born outside The Gambia after 1997 and having at least one parent who
holds Gambian citizenship. (396)

The Gambian Constitution also provides that Gambian citizenship can be granted - upon
application – to:

A person who has married a Gambian citizen and since the marriage has lived in The
Gambia for at least seven years;
A person who has lived in The Gambia for at least 15 years and is:(389) The protectorate was introduced gradually from 1889 with the Anglo-French Convention. The borders
between The Gambia and Senegal were defined by 1900. Following the two islands of St. Mary and MacCarthy, theother territories also became a British protectorate in 1894. Curley, Christine E., Anglican Stagnation and Growthin West Africa: The Case of St. Paul’s Church, Fajara, The Gambia, 2012 (url), p. 19; Perfect, David, Historical
Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 2-8, 347; Saine, Abdoulaye, Culture and Customs of Gambia, 2012, p. 3; Barry,
Boubacar, Senegambia and the Atlantic slave trade, 1998, pp. 5-25, 303-314; Gaibazzi, Paolo, Migration, Soninké
Young Men and the Dynamics of Staying Behind (The Gambia), March 2010, pp. 35-37; Gaibazzi, Paolo, Bush Bound,
2015, pp. 24-25.
(390) Internationales Ehe- und Kindschaftsrecht mit Staatsangehörigkeitsrecht, Gambia, Das
Staatsangehörigkeitsrecht, 31 March 1999, available by subscription at: (url),(391) UK Public General Acts, Gambia Independence Act 1964, 17 December 1964 (url),(392) UK Public General Acts, The Gambia Independence Order 1965, 29 January 1965 (url).
(393) Gambia (The), Nationality and Citizenship Act, 18 February 1965, available at: (url).
(394) Internationales Ehe- und Kindschaftsrecht mit Staatsangehörigkeitsrecht, Gambia, Das
Staatsangehörigkeitsrecht, 31 March 1999, available by subscription at: (url); Jammeh, Ousman A.S., The
Constitutional Law of The Gambia 1965-2010, p. 72.
(395) Gambia (The), Constitution, 24 April 1970 (url), Chapter II, pp. 3-4.
(396) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, reprinted 2002 (url), Chapter III, pp. 14-18.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

o
o
o
o

— 53

Of full age and capacitiy;
Of good character;Intends do reside permanently in the Gambia;
Capable of supporting herself/himself and her/his dependents. (397)

Dual citizenship is possible, but only for Gambians who acquire citizenship of another country.
It is prohibited for nationals of other countries who become Gambians. (398)
Identity documents and civil register records
Identity cards
All Gambians over the age of 18 are required by law to carry a national ID card with them at
all times. Anybody who does not comply with this requirement can be punished by a fine or
imprisonment. (399) Applicants must prove their identity in order to obtain an ID card. They
must do this by means of a birth certificate, passport, voter’s card, registration/naturalisation
certificate or attestation by the Seyfo (district authority chief) / Alkalo (village chief). (400)There are two types of identity card in circulation:Traditional, non-electronic identity card.
Electronic identity card with a chip.

In 2009 the Gambian government decided to switch to The Gambia Biometric Identification
System (GAMBIS). This system collected data for the electronic identity cards, driving licences
and residence permits. (401)The electronic identity card contains a chip and the 11-digit National Identification Number(NIN) from the GAMBIS system. (402) The first six digits of the NIN are the date of birth. The
other digits are made up of codes relating to the place of issue, serial numbers and gender.
(403) The government intended to extend the GAMBIS system to passports and birth, deathand marriage certificates. (404) However, this did not happen. By mid/late 2015 electronic
identity cards were no longer available. From early 2016, the traditional ID cards have been
issued once again. (405)(397) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, amended in 2001, Chapter III, [2001] (url).
(398) Gambia (The), Constitution, 1997, amended in 2001, Chapter III, [2001] (url); UNHCR, UNHCR & IOM Nationality, Migration and Statelessness in West Africa, June 2015 (url), pp. 26-28; Access Gambia, GAMBIS, How
To Gain Gambian Citizenship, 2017 (url).
(399) Access Gambia, Work & Residency Permits For Gambia, n.d. (url); Access Gambia, GAMBIS, 2017 (url);
Jollofnews, Gambia Suspends Production of Passports, 23 March 2017 (url).
(400) Access Gambia, Work & Residency Permits For Gambia, n.d. (url); Gambia (The), GAMBIS, National ID, n.d.
(url).
(401) Freedom Newspaper, Gambia: New Gambian ID Cards Being Rejected By Senegalese Authorities! 25 January
2016 (url); Access Gambia, GAMBIS. The Gambia Biometric Identification System, n.d. (url).
(402) Access Gambia, GAMBIS. The Gambia Biometric Identification System, n.d. (url).
(403) IRB, Gambia: Whether the National Identity Number, NIN, is permanent or may be modified, 28 October 2014(url).
(404) Fatu Network (The), The Gambia Returns to the old Identity Cards, 4 January 2016 (url).
(405) Fatu Network (The), The Gambia Returns to the old Identity Cards, 04 January 2016 (url); Freedom Newspaper,
Gambia: New Gambian ID Cards Being Rejected By Senegalese Authorities! 25 January 2016 (url).

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In March 2017 the government announced that it would examine the security concept fornational documents. It therefore temporarily stopped the production of both passports andID cards. (406)In addition to the traditional and electronic identity card, another model for ID cards has been
discussed: the common biometric identity card for the 15 countries of the ECOWAS. (407) The
ECOWAS biometric ID card has not been introduced in The Gambia so far, but plans are in highgear for its introduction. (408)
Passports
There are currently two types of passport in circulation: (409)Machine-readable passports without a chip and without electronically stored data;
ECOWAS passports with electronically stored data.

There are three types of machine-readable passport without a chip and without electronicallystored data: the green standard passport for citizens, the blue service passport and the red
diplomatic passport. (410) Machine-readable passports are valid for five years. (411) The green
passport costs 1,000 dalasis. (412)
The Immigration Department issues the green standard passports for citizens. Applicantsmust submit two passport photographs, a form and at least one contact telephone number.
To prove their identity and Gambian nationality, applicants must produce the following
documents: proof of the parents’ identity, a birth certificate or a statement signed by the
Alkalo (village chief) or Seyfo (district authority chief) that the passport applicant was born in
his/her village or district. (413)
Since January 2016, Gambians should apply for a biometric ECOWAS passport. Nerverthelessit seems that Gambian citizens living abroad could still receive a green passport for some time.
(414) Therefore, they had to entrust a relative in The Gambia to apply for him/her, a new green
passport. (415) Since April 2017, after the new government stopped issuing passports for twomonths, Gambian nationals have to appear personnaly at the nearest Gambian Embassy or(406) Jollofnews, Gambia Suspends Production of Passports, 23 March 2017 (url); Foroyaa Newspaper, Why
Government stops issuing National Documents, 27 July 2017 (url).
(407) Point (The),Ecowas to Introduce Common W/African ID Card, Remove Residence Permit, 10 June 2016 (url);
Fatu Network (The), The Gambia Returns to the old Identity Cards, 4 January 2016 (url); Foroyaa Newspaper,
National ID Card Issuance Commences Today After Eight Months, 6 March 2017 (url).
(408) allAfrica, West Africa: Ecowas to Introduce Common W/African ID Card, Remove Residence Permit, 10 June
2016 (url); Fatu Network (The), The Gambia Returns to the old Identity Cards, 4 January 2016 (url); allAfrica,
Gambia: National ID Card Issuance Commences Today After Eight Months, 6 January 2016 (url); Gambia
Immigration Department, telephone interview with the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration, October 2017.
(409) Access Gambia, Gambian Passports (Gambia Immigration Department – GID), updated 2017 (url); Access
Gambia, Passports in Gambia (Types), updated 2017 (url).
(410) Access Gambia, Gambian Passports (Gambia Immigration Department – GID), updated 2017 (url).
(411) Diplomatic and service passports are only valid while the holder is working as a diplomat or functionary. Access
Gambia, Gambian Passports (Gambia Immigration Department – GID), updated 2017 (url).
(412) Access Gambia, Gambian Passports (Gambia Immigration Department – GID), updated 2017 (url); 1000 Dalasis
entsprachen im Juni 2017 rund 21 Franken. Exchange-Rates, Olathe, Kansas. Wechselkurse. Ergebnisse desWährungsumrechners: GMD in CHF, 27 July 2017.
(413) Access Gambia, Gambian Passports (Gambia Immigration Department – GID), info from the GID - 2012, page
updated 2017 (url).
(414) Daily Observer (The), Gambians Urged to Apply for Biometric Passport, 10 December 2015 (url).
(415) Gambia (The), Consulate General of the Republic of The Gambia in The Netherlands, Amsterdam, "Renewal
Gambian Passports", September 2015 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 55

consulate with relevant supporting documents. (416) Gambian representations in Europe still
extend machine readable passports for a short period (usually up to one year). (417)
Gambian ECOWAS biometric passports with electronically stored data have been available toGambians since 22 September 2014. The formal requirements for obtaining this passport are:confirmation of payment (3,000 dalasis), proof of identity by means of the national electronic
identity card, the voting card or a copy of the birth certificate, signed by the Alkalo (village
chief) or Seyfo (district authority chief). Gambians below 18 years of age must produce a birthcertificate, signed by the Alkalo or Seyfo, and their parents’ identity documents. (418)
The applicant must appar in person at the enrolment center in order to capture their Bio data
and their photograph. Enrolment centres in Belgium, USA, UK and Nigeria were planned, but
it seems that these aren’t operational, yet. (419)
Following the change of government in early 2017, the Gambian government stopped
producing national identity cards and passports due to allegation that the Jammeh regime
had given Gambian identity documents to foreign nationals. In April 2017 it relaxed the rules
and announced that it would start producing machine-readable passports again. (420) In July
2017 the Interior Minister, Mai Fatty, stated that there were no further restrictions on theissuing of passports. (421)
In the past, special passports valid for six months were issued to go on pilgrimage to Mecca.
(422) Currently, pilgrims have to apply for a standard passport. (423)
Civil register records
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is responsible for the registration of births anddeaths, while the Ministry of Justice is responsible for the registration of marriages anddivorces. (424)In 2004, birth registration was integrated into maternal and child health clinics throughout
the country, and public health officers were mandated as registrars. This led to a clear increaseof birth registration of children under five - from 32% in 2000 to 55% in 2005. (425) However,(416) Freedom Newspaper, Gambia: Gambia Lifts Ban On The Issuance Of Machine Readable Gambian Passports,
27 April 2017 (url).
(417) Consulate of The Gambia in Switzerland, telephone interview with the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration,
October 2017; Embassy Consulate of The Gambia in Spain, telephone interview with the Swiss State Secretariat for
Migration, October 2017.
(418) Point Newspaper (The), Gambian passport goes biometric, 23 September 2014 (url); Kibaaro News, Gambia
to kick start new biometric passport, 28 February 2014 (url).
(419) Point Newspaper (The), Gambian passport goes biometric, 23 September 2014 (url); Gambia (The), Consulate
General of the Republic of The Gambia in The Netherlands, Amsterdam, "Renewal Gambian Passports", September
2015 (url); Consulate of The Gambia in Switzerland, telephone interview with the Swiss State Secretariat for
Migration, October 2017; Embassy of The Gambia in Spain, telephone interview with the Swiss State Secretariat
for Migration, October 2017.
(420) Jollofnews, Gambia Suspends Production of Passports, 23 March 2017 (url); Standard (The), Interior resumes
passport issuance, 26 April 2017 (url); SmbcNews,Gambia investigating the issuance of passports, IDs to noncitizens, 22 March 2017 (url).
(421) Point Newspaper (The), Interior minister clears air on passports, ID cards, 10 July 2017 (url).
(422) Access Gambia, Passports in Gambia (Types), 2012 (url).
(423) Embassy of The Gambia in Spain, telephone interview with the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration, October
2017.
(424) UNECA, Status of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in the Republic of the Gambia, September 2012 (url).
(425) UNICEF, UNICEF Good Practices in Integrating Birth Registration into Health Systems (2000–2009), December
2009 (url).

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late birth registration, mostly when the child is about to enrol in school, was still the mostcommon type of registration in 2012. (426)
Local registrars register births and deaths. The documents are archived locally and entries are
made by hand. There is no central Gambian archiving or electronic data storage for mattersrelating to the civil register. (427) For certification of documents and other tasks, the local
registrars are in contact with the Registrar of Births and Deaths in Banjul who forms part of
the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. (428)
To register births and deaths, the local registrars interview the applicants or family members
and check the plausibility of the statements and the authenticity of the documents.
Registration of a birth requires written documents from the clinic, confirmation of the birthby the Alkalo (village chief) and the Seyfo (district chief) and completion of a legally prescribed
form. Registration of a death requires medical confirmation of the death, including details of
the cause of death, and confirmation from the Alkalo. Registration of deaths is not common
in The Gambia. (429) Marriages and divorces are rarely registered. (430)

2. The situation of former government officials
Steps taken to date by the new administration in relation to functionaries of previous
governments indicate a tendency to adopt a cautious approach to judicial investigations into
the past, seeking to proceed on a case-by-case basis. However, it is too early to assess as noproceedings have been concluded.
Listed below in note form are members of various organisations who held an importantfunction and whose change of position has been commented on in the literature or the media.
The list is not exhaustive.

2.1 Government
Ex-president Yahya Jammeh
A state Commission of Inquiry was established with a three-month mandate to investigate thefinancial activities of public bodies with regard to their dealings with ex-president Jammeh. It
met for the first time on 10 August. (431)Several ministers resigned in January 2017: Vice-President Isatou Njie-Saidy, Finance Minister
Abdou Kolley, Foreign Minister Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, Trade Minister Abdou Jobe, Tourism
Minister Benjamin Roberts and Communications Minister Sheriff Bojang. (432) President
Barrow held a meeting with some of them in February 2017. None of them became ministers
in the new government. (433) It is not known whether any ex-ministers in The Gambia have(426) UNECA, Status of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in the Republic of the Gambia, September 2012 (url).
(427) UNDESA, Statistics Division, Workshop on the Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System,
January 2014, (url), p. 41.
(428) UNDESA, Statistics Division, Workshop on the Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System,
January 2014, (url), pp. 40-41.
(429) UNDESA, Statistics Division, Workshop on the Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System,
January 2014, (url), pp. 40-41.
(430) UNECA, Status of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in the Republic of the Gambia, September 2012 (url).
(431) Daily Observer, 4 Members of Commission of Inquiry Sworn-in, 14 July 2017 (url); Point (The), Banjul. ExPresident Jammeh Commission kick-starts, 11 August 2017 URL.
(432) Daily Mail Online, Time runs out for Gambia’s Jammeh as more ministers defect, 17 January 2017 (url).
(433) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, 6 March 2017, available by subscription at: (url), p. 21318; Africa
Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Ruling Coalition Split, 13 April 2017, available by subscription at: (url), pp. 2135721358; Jollofnews, Gambia: Barrow Defends Meeting Jammeh’s Ministers, 16 February 2017 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 57

been the subject of investigations or criminal proceedings. However, criminal proceedings
against one ex-minister are taking place in Switzerland:
Sonko, Ousman
Former Interior Minister. He was dismissed in September 2016 for unknown reasons. (434)Criminal proceedings have been instigated by the Attorney General of Switzerland following
his arrest in January 2017, due to the strong suspicion that Sonko is responsible for crimes
against humanity. (435) In May 2017 the magistrates court in Banjul issued an arrest warrant
for Sonko in connection with the enforced disappearance and suspected murder of former
NIA Director Daba Marenah in 2006. (436) According to Trial International, several people fromThe Gambia have instituted legal proceedings against Sonko in Switzerland. (437)

2.2 Ambassadors
Many ambassadors resigned from their posts or were dismissed during the crisis. Barrow
announced in February 2017 that the existing Gambian ambassadors could continue in postin order to provide continuity of the Gambian representation abroad. (438) In July 2017
government circles revealed that many embassies would close for financial reasons. (439)

2.3 Regional governors
In spring 2017 Adama Barrow replaced all the regional governors who had been appointed by
Jammeh. (440)

2.4 Central BankThe Governor of the Central Bank, Amadou Colley, and three senior officials were dismissed
in May 2017 without an official statement of reasons. (441)

2.5 Armed forces (GAF)
Badjie, Ousman(434) According to the diaspora newspaper Freedom Newspaper, the UN refused to grant Sonko a visa for a meetingin the USA. Jammeh therefore distanced himself from him. Freedom Newspaper, Gambia: Weekend Bombshell:
Ousman Sonko Denied US Visa, 25 September 2016 (url); Sonko’s successor as interior minister was Momodou
Alieu Bah. Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia: Interior Minister Replaced, 10 October 2016, available bysubscription at: (url).
(435) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 263; Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft,Medienmitteilung, Fall Gambia: Bundesanwaltschaft übernimmt das Strafverfahren, 6 February 2017 (url);
Bundesversammlung (Die), Das Schweizer Parlament, Fragestunde Nationalrat, Frage Rutz, Gregor. Antwort der
Aufsichtsbehörde über die Bundesanwaltschaft, 6 March 2017 (url); NZZ, Dringender Verdacht auf Folter, 10 May
2017 (url).
(436) AFP, Two charged for 2004 murder of Gambian journalist Hydara, 19 May 2017 (url); Askani Senegambia,
Gambian Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against the Killers of Journalist Deyda Hydara, 19 May 2017 (url),; Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 288.
(437) Trial International, Detention extended for former minister Ousman Sonko, last modified 12 July 2017 (url);
Point (The), 7 witnesses to testify against Ousman Sonko, 12 July 2017 (url).
(438) Al-Jazeera, African leaders to visit Banjul to push Jammeh to go, 9 February 2017 (url); allAfrica, Gambia: <We
Take Nothing Personal Against Anyone> President Barrow Tells Reinstated Ambassadors, 22 February 2017 (url).
(439) SmbcNews, Gambia to relegate, shutdown some embassies, 7 July 2017 (url).
(440) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 329.
(441) Reuters, Gambia Central Bank Governor, Other Top Bank Officials Fired, 9 May 2017 (url); Point (The), New
central bank governors speak, 12 May 2017 (url).

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Head of the army Ousman Badjie promised loyalty to Jammeh during the political crisis in early2017. (442) After soldiers from the ECOWAS marched into The Gambia, he urged army
personnel not to fight but to welcome the troops with a cup of tea. (443) Following the changeof government, Barrow initially left the commander of the Gambian army in post andsubsequently moved him to the Foreign Ministry in February 2017. General Masanah Kinteh,
former Chief of Defence Staff of the GAF, was appointed as the new head of the army. (444)Badjie, Saul
General and commander of the State Guard. Presumed to have gone into exile with Jammeh
in Equatorial Guinea. (445) In May 2017 the magistrates court in Banjul issued an arrest warrant
for Saul Badjie in connection with the enforced disappearance and murder of former NIA
Director Daba Marenah in 2006. (446) Saul Badjie is accused of involvement in the murder ofother people, including the murder of Alhagie Mamut Ceesay and Ebou Jobe. (447)Bah, Momodou Alieu
Brigadier General. Sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment after the attempted coup in 2006.
Pardoned. Appointed finance director of the armed forces. Interior Minister from September
2016 until his resignation in January 2017. (448) Finance director of the army for a short time
under Barrow. (449) Dismissed from the army in February 2017 with no reasons given. (450)

2.6 Elite troops (State Guard, Presidential Guard)
The following members of the Presidential Guard were indicted in May 2017: Malick Manga,
Nuha Badgie, Sulayman Sambou, Major Momodou Jarju, Mustapha Sanneh and Michael Jatta.
The Justice Department accused them of involvement in the murder of Toumani Jallow andAbdoulie Gaye. Jallow and Gaye had worked in Jammeh’s political office but disappeared,
presumed murdered, after Jammeh lost the presidential elections in December 2016. (451)(442) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Jammeh Leaves Power, 6 February 2017 (url), pp. 21276-21277; Daily
Observer, Army Chief Renews Forces’ Loyalty, support to President Jammeh, 4 January 2017 (url).
(443) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia, Jammeh Leaves Power, 6 February 2017 (url), pp. 21276-21277;
Gambianonet, President Barrow retains no stress army chief, 30 January 2017 (url).
(444) Freedom Newspaper, Masaneh Kinteh Is Gambia’s Army Chief of Defense Staff, 26 February 2017 (url);
Freedom Newspaper, Gambia: Breaking News: I Am Ready To Serve As A Watchman, 27 February 2017 (url).
(445) Fatu Network (The), Gen. Saul Badjie, Jimbe Jammeh, Umpa Mendy, others to go on exile with Jammeh, 21
January 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Gen. Badjie, other close aides gone into exile with Jammeh, 21 January 2017 (url);
His family had previously brought Saul Badjie to Senegal, Freedom Radio, As Jammeh’s Arrest Is Imminent, Gen.
Saul Badjie Evecuates His Wife and Children To Senegal!, 10 December 2016 (url).
(446) Standard (The), Arrest warrant for Saul Badjie, 6 others, 19 May 2017 (url); AFP, Two charged for 2004 murderof Gambian journalist Hydara, 19 May 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 288.
(447) SmbcNews, Alagie Mamut Ceesay And Ebou Jobe Are killed, 8 March 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Gen. Saul Badjie,
Lt. Col. Solo Bojang ‘slaughtered’ Alhagie Ceesay, Ebou Jobe, 22 May 2017 (url).
(448) Africa Research Bulletin, The Gambia: Interior Minister Replaced, 10 October 2016, available by subscription
at: (url).
(449) SmbcNews, Jammeh’s former interior minister is the new military finance director, 30 January 2017 (url).
(450) Freedom Newspaper, Gambia: Bombshell Drops At The Army Headquarters, 25 February 2017 (url).
(451) SmbcNews, Toumani Jallow, Abdoulie Gaye suffocated to death, 23 May 2017 (url); Fatu Network (The)[Facebook], Please help find Lance Corporal Toumani Jallow, posted 27 January 2017 (url); Freedom Newspaper,
Wanted Jammeh Assassin Team Member Sulayman Sambou Now Lives in Portugal!, 21 June 2017 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 59

2.7 National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
Nine officers of the NIA have been arrested. Banjul magistrates court brought charges againstthem in March 2017. (452) The two highest-ranking officers were Yankuba Badjie, former
director of the NIA, (453) and Saikou Omar Jeng, former head of operations at the NIA. (454)The other officers were Louie Gomez, Baboucarr Sallah, Yusupha Jammeh, Haruna Susso,
Tamba Mansary, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang. (455) According to press information,
they were charged on nine counts – one of which was the murder of Solo Sandeng in April
2016 (see Section 2.7 Former government officials – National Intelligence Agency). (456) In
March 2017 demonstrators demanded the death sentence for Yankuba Badjie. (457) The court
handling the case made it clear that the accused must be treated fairly and with dignity andmust be considered innocent until judgment was passed. (458) The trial was oingoing as of July
2017. (459)

2.8 Police
Sonko, Yankuba
Inspector General of the police from 2010. Initially remained in post after the change ofgovernment. In June 2017 he was moved to the Foreign Ministry without any official
statement of reasons. Landing Kinteh was appointed as the new Inspector General of thepolice. (460)

2.9 PrisonsColley, Bora(452) Africa Research Bulletin, Security Reforms, 3 April 2017, available by subscription at: (url), p. 21366; Jollofnews,
Gambia: Defence Lawyers Galled At Ex-Spy Chiefs’ Detention, 21 March.2017 (url).
(453) Jollofnews, Gambia Arrests Head of Intelligence Agency Linked To Killings, 21 February 2017 (url); SmbcNews,
Lawyers for Gambia’s detained spy chief object special prosecutor appointment, 29 May 2017 (url); a legal scandal
erupted following the publication of tape recordings involving Sheriff Tambadou, a member of the prosecuting
team and brother of Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou, and the wife of Yankuba Badjie. Freedom Newspaper,
Gambian President Adama Barrow Refuses To Accept His Justice Minister’s Resignation Letter!, 20 July 2017 (url).
(454) Point (The), Solo Sandeng’s remains exhumed as investigation continues, 10 March 2017 (url).
(455) Jollofnews, Gambia: Defence Lawyers Galled At Ex-Spy Chiefs’ Detention, 21 March 2017 (url).
(456) In April 2016 the police arrested several people from the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) and youth
organisations who were taking part in a peaceful demonstration in Serrekunda demanding reform of the electoral
law. Solo Sandeng, National Organizing Secretary of the UDP, died in detention a short time later. AI, Gambia:
Death in detention of key political activist, 16 April 2016 (url); Sunugambia, Video: Former NIA’s facing charges in
the high court, 28 March 2017 (url); Fatu Network (The), Solo Sandeng fainted in front of Yankuba Badjie, 9 May
2017 (url).
(457) Guardian (The), Gambian protesters demand ex-spy chief’s execution, 20 March 2017 (url).
(458) SmbcNews, Gambia: Judge orders NIA9 to be treated with dignity, 3 May 2017 (url).
(459) Smbcnews, Special prosecutor in NIA9 trial accused of misconduct, 16 July 2017 (url).
(460) Africanews, Gambian President Barrow replaces Jammeh-era police chief, 23 June 2017 (url).

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Governor of the Mile Two prison in Banjul for a short period. Jungler for many years,
commander of the camp in Kanilai. (461) Fled in February 2017. (462) In May 2017 Banjul
magistrates court issued an arrest warrant for Bora Colley in connection with the suspectedmurder of several people, including former NIA Director Daba Marenah in 2006. (463)
According to some media sources, Bora Colley was arrested in Senegal. (464)Colley, David Charles
Long-standing head of the prison service and governor of the Mile Two prison in Banjul.
Relieved of his post after the change of government in early 2017. Arrested, charged with
inhumane treatment of prisoners and causing the death of several prisoners in connection
with rotten prison food. (465) Released on bail. (466) Ansumana Manneh was appointed as the
new head of the prison service (Prison Commissioner). (467)2.10 Junglers
Some Junglers went into exile in Equatorial Guinea with Jammeh (468) while others fled to
unknown destinations. An arrest warrant for Sanna Manjang and Kawsu Camara (alias
Bombardier) was issued in May 2017 in connection with the murder of Deyda Hydara in 2004
(see Section 3.1 Freedom of the press). (469) Sanna Manjang is also accused of other murders.
(470)
According to police information, nine Junglers working for the military police were detainedin May 2017. (471) Criminal investigations are ongoing in connection with the enforced
disappearance, torture and murder of several people. The identity of those detained has not(461) According to Reuters, London, it seems that some biographic details about Bora Colley are confused with thoseof David Charles Colley. Bora Colley is wrongly named as the long-standing head of Gambian prisons. Reuters,
Senegal police arrest former boss of Gambia’s notorious prisons, 28 January 2017 (url); the same confusion occurs
in: UK, Home Office, Gambia: Political opinion, Version 2.0, 14 March 2017 (url), p. 30; see also: Fatu Network(The), Jammeh’s ‘Junglers’ Abandon Their Kotu Residence, 29 January 2017 (url); Kairo News, General Bora Colley
Nabbed With Gold, Dollars, 27 January 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Senegal extradites former Gambian military general,
11 March 2017 (url).
(462) Senego, Le Général Bora Colley se réfugie en Guinée-Bissau, 14 February 2017 (url).
(463) AFP, Two charged for 2004 murder of Gambian journalist Hydara, 19 May 2017 (url); Askani Senegambia,
Gambian Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against the Killers of Journalist Deyda Hydara, 19 May2017 (url); Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 288; Point (The), Wanted, 4 May 2017 (url).
(464) Fatu Network (The), The Nine <Junglers> Arrested, 31 May 2017 (url); Gambia Echo (The), Senegal Arrest
General Bora Colley, 26 January 2017 (url).
(465) AFP, Ex-head of Gambia’s prisons charged over disappearances, 7 March 2017 (url).
(466) Jollofnews, Gambia’s Long Serving Prison Boss David Colley Fired, 24 February 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Gambia
fires chief prison warden David Colley, 25 February 2017 (url); allAfrica, Gambia: Police Charge David Colley and
Grant Him Bail, 6 March 2017 (url); Colley is mentioned as a director of Mile 2 in 1999. ACHPR, Prisons in The
Gambia, June 2000 (url), p. 22; Sidisanneh.blogspot, Three of Jammeh’s henchmen, 28 April 2016 (url); Daily
Nation, Ex-head of Gambia’s prisons charged over disappearances, 8 March 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Gambia’s
former prison director charged, released on bail, 6 March 2017 (url); Freedom Newspaper, Minister Mai Fatty’s
Facebook Briefings, 10 March 2017 (url).
(467) Freedom Newspaper, Bombshell Drops at the Army Headquarters, 24 February 2017 (url).
(468) thestar.com, Adama Barrow promises security overhaul in post-authoritarian Gambia, 28 January 2017 (url);
Fatu Network (The), Jammeh’s Junglers Abandon Their Kotu Residence, 29 January 2017 (url).
(469) Daily Observer, Ex-Interior Minister Has NO Connection With Atrocities Committed – CMC Coordinator, 10
April 2017 (url); Gambia: Sanna Manjang Cries, When Jammeh Asked Him If He Was Part Of General Badjie’s
Camp!, 28 December 2015 (url); Freedom Newspaper, Malick Jatta, A Gambian Soldier Accused of Killing Journalist
Deyda Hydara Arrested!, 27 February 2017 (url); AFP, Two charged for 2004 murder of Gambian journalist Hydara,
19 May 2017 (url); Smbcnews, Gambia issues arrest warrant for Deyda Hydara’s alleged slayers, 18 May 2017 (url).
(470) SmbcNews, Sanna Manjang facing multiple murder charges, 20 May 2017 (url); Daily Observer (The), Sanna
Manjang, Others charged for Killing Ndongo Mboob, 23 May 2017 (url).
(471) Fatu Network (The), The Nine <Junglers> Arrested, 31 May 2017 (url); in March 2017 it was reported that 14
Junglers had been arrested. SmbcNews, Senegal extradites former Gambian military general, 11 March 2017 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 61

been officially revealed. They are thought to be Musa Johnson, Pa Sanneh, Ismaila Jammeh,
Omar Alias Oya Jallow, Amadou Badjie and Malick Jatta. (472) They are said to have cooperated
and led investigators to graves of their victims. (473) The Junglers had not appeared in court by
July 2017. (474)2.11 APRC officials
Colley, Yankuba
Mayor of Kanifing municipal council. Known as an APRC propagandist and for his
denunciations of homosexuals (see Section 3.3 Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
persons). Remained in his post as mayor of the municipal council, despite calls for him to be
removed. (475)
Jatta, Fabakary Tombong
President of the National Assembly until its last regular meeting before the legislativeelections in 2017. Interim leader of the APRC after Jammeh’s departure. (476)
No attempts by the new government to ban the APRC have been documented.

2.12 Supporters of Jammeh
Around the time of the legislative elections in April 2017 there were incidents when
supporters of the UDP, Barrow’s party, and supporters of the APRC clashed. (477) The newleader of the APRC, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, complained that many supporters of his party
had been harassed or arrested on more than one occasion. (478) The Ministry of the Interior
replied that arrests had only been made when weapons or violence had been used – which
Jatta disputed. (479)

2.13 Uncertain power relationships
Observers assumed that it would take some time for new loyalties to develop within the
security forces. (480) Troops from ECOWAS were responsible for the country’s security after
the change of government. Neighbouring Senegal provided the largest contingent of soldiers.
(472) Fatu Network (The), The Nine <Junglers> Arrested, 31 May 2017 (url); Freedom Newspaper, Police Detective
Source Says Jungullar Malick Jatta Admits, 24 April 2017 (url); Fatu Network (The), <Jungler> Malick Jatta Arrested,
27 February 2017 (url); MenaceToSocietyGang, Malick Jatta, A Gambian Soldier Accused Of Killing Journalist Deyda
Hydara Arrested! [Youtube], uploaded 27 February 2017 (url).
(473) Africa Research Bulletin, Bodies Exhumed, 12 May 2017, available by subscription at: (url), pp. 21403-21404.
(474) SmbcNews, Families of purported ‘Jungulars’ demand their release, 21 July 2017 (url).
(475) Fatu Network (The), Yankuba Colley says Yaya Jammeh Deserves SOME Respect! 15 March 2017 (url)Sunugambia, Mayor Yankuba Colley Aprc, we have nothing to fear about, 18 March 2017 (url); Fatu Network (The),
Mayor Yankuba Colley Calls for the Reopening of the Bakoteh Dumpsite, 29 June 2017 (url); on one media platformthe programme manager of the Gambian Association of NGOs, Madi Jobarteh, demanded Colley’s replacement;.
see: Mamostv.com, Opinion - Removal of Mayor Yankuba Colley as per the Local Government Act, 8 July 2017 (url).
(476) Onegambia, Tombong Jatta - Interim leader of APRC The new Government seize all our vehicles [Youtube],
posted on 21 April 2017 (url); Fatu Network (The), <In new Gambia, we will create new responsible opposition> –Tombong Jatta, 15 March 2017 (url).
(477) Point Newspaper (The), APRC, UDP supporters clash in Sibanor, 10 April 2017 (url); SmbcNews, UDP, APRC
supporters clash in Tallinding, 22 March 2017 (url).
(478) Sunugambia, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, claims that Aprc militants are facing lots of arrest and harassment, 14
April 2017 (url).
(479) SmbcNews, Opposition demands charges against Kanilai protesters be dropped, 20 July 2017 (url); Standard(The), FTJ: Kanilai protesters never armed, 6 June 2017 (url).
(480) Jamestown Foundation (The), Leaving Islamism Aside: The Gambia Under Adama Barrow, 5 May 2017 (url).

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Their task was to train and support the Gambian security forces. In June 2017 President
Barrow extended the mandate for another 12 months, with the European Development Fund
providing the funding. (481) Unlike Jammeh, Barrow did not use the Presidential Guard for his
personal protection; instead he used the police and ECOWAS forces. (482)
There were early fears that Jammeh's supporters or militiamen would rise up against the newpresident or launch a coup against him. In Kanilai, Jammeh's home village in the Foni Kansala
district close to the border with the Casamance/Senegal region, there were several exchangesof gunfire between ECOWAS soldiers and people who were referred to as demonstrators. (483)
In July 2017 rumours spread in the media that 250 to 300 of Jammeh’s supporters – reportedly
deserters, former security officers, Junglers and people who had gone into exile with Jammeh– had gathered in Mauritania, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau and were threatening The Gambia's
security. (484) Four soldiers from the Gambian army were arrested on suspicion of mutiny. (485)
There was a fear that the unrest and rumours were geared towards 22nd July, the anniversaryof the Jammeh coup in 1994. President Barrow announced that the government would notmark this day as the coup had been an illegal military action. (486) On the anniversary of thecoup things remained calm, and army representatives apologised for the military coup. (487)

3. Human rights
During the First Republic under Dawda Jawara, The Gambia had a reputation for a high levelof commitment to human rights. (488) This changed with the Jammeh coup in 1994. After the
takeover by the AFPRC and Jammeh’s seizure of power, the regime was repeatedly accusedof repression of critics and the media and of crimes such as the enforced disappearance of
citizens, imprisonment without charge, torture and killings. (489) There was talk of a climate offear. (490)
In the run-up to elections and during the period around the various attempted coups, thegovernment intensified repression and further restricted press freedom. The UN, numerous
countries, the EU and many NGOs criticised the government over many years on account of
human rights violations. (491)(481) ECOWAS, EU to Finance ECOWAS ECOMIG Force in the Gambia, 22 June 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Gambia’s
President Barrow broadens ECOMIG mandate, 6 June 2017 (url).
(482) SmbcNews, Four soldiers arrested for suspected mutiny, 19 July 2017 (url).
(483) Seneweb, Kanilai: Coups de feu entre soldats pro Jammeh et troupes de la Cedeao, 21 April 2017 (url);
SmbcNews, Gambia: Three soldiers wounded in Kanilai, 4 June 2017 (url); SmbcNews, Barrow: What happened in
Kanilai will not be tolerated, 4 June 2017 (url); allAfrica, Gambia Urging Deployment of More Senegalese Troops,
Says President Barrow, 16 March 2017 (url); World Politics Review, After Helping Solve Gambia’s Political Crisis,
Senegal Needs an Exit Strategy, 7 April 2017 (url).
(484) Jollofnews, Gambian Army <Hostile Elements> Working Against Gov’t, 7 July 2017 (url); Seneweb, 250 soldats
de Jammeh menacent le pouvoir de Barrow, 4 July 2017 (url); Jeune Afrique, Sénégal : L’armée s’interroge sur undpossible menace de déstabilisation en Gambie, 5 July 2017 (url).
(485) SmbcNews, Gambia’s army ‚weeding‘ out ex-President’s loyalists, 21 July 2017 (url).
(486) President Barrow [Twitter], 14 July 2017 (url); Fatu Network (The), Gambia gov’t says July 22 will not becelebrated or glorified, 14 July 2017 (url).
(487) SmbcNews, An apology long overdue, 22 July 2017 (url).
(488) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 203; Perfect, David, The Gambia under Yahya
Jammeh: An Assessment, 12 March 2010 (url), pp. 57-58.
(489) Perfect, David, The Gambia under Yahya Jammeh: An Assessment, 12 March 2010 (url), pp. 56-59.
(490) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 324.
(491) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 203-204; US DoS, The Gambia 2013 Human
Rights Report, 27 February 2014 (url); US DoS, The Gambia 2014 Human Rights Report, 25 June 2015 (url); US DoS,The Gambia 2015 Human Rights Report, 13 April 2016 (url); US DoS, The Gambia 2016 Human Rights Report, 3
March 2017 (url); UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 63

In 2015 The Gambia rejected recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council following the
Universal Periodic Review. The rejected recommendations related to removal of therestrictions on the right of freedom of expression, ratification of the International Convention
for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and abolition of the death
penalty. (492)
During Jammeh’s last year in office, human rights organisations also criticised serious humanrights violations such as restriction of freedom of expression, arbitrary arrests, detention andenforced disappearance of opponents, journalists, religious leaders and trade unionists, aswell as torture, ill-treatment and neglect in detention. (493)
The new President Adama Barrow made it clear that a priority objective of the new
government would be to ensure respect for human rights. He said that he did not want tosystematically pursue members of the Jammeh regime; it was more a question of establishing
the truth and of reconciliation. (494) He set up a commission to investigate the fate of people
who had disappeared in unexplained circumstances during Jammeh's period of office. In April
2017 the government started investigations in 33 cases. No judgments have been passed todate. (495)

3.1 Freedom of the press
On the World Press Freedom Index 2017, The Gambia was ranked 143rd out of 180 countries
with regard to press freedom, based mainly on the conditions in the country under the
Jammeh regime. (496)
Human rights organisations, journalists and opposition voices have reported the following
main actions against or infringements of press freedom by the Jammeh government: (497)From 2002 the National Assembly enacted restrictive press laws. Journalists wereforced to publish their sources. Anybody who, in the eyes of the government, incitedthe masses or misquoted or cast aspersions on the government could be punished by
imprisonment for six months to three years. The media and journalists, who werealready subject to compulsory registration, had to pay prohibitively high fees; (498)
Deyda Hydara, publisher of the newspaper The Point, publicly criticised the newrequirements and was killed on 16 December 2004 (499), under circumstances which

arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, 11 May 2015 (url); UK Home Office, The Gambia, Country of Origin
Information (COI) Report, 05 November 2013 (url), pp. 10-34; UK Home Office, CPIN, Gambia: opposition to thegovernment, December 2015, Re-issued March 2017 (url), pp. 5, 17-19; Euractiv, EU cuts aid to Gambia over humanrights concerns, 11 December 2014 (url).
(492) AI, Gambia fails to heed UN warnings on deteriorating human rights, 26 March 2015 (url); AI, Annual Report,
Gambia 2016/2017, 22 February 2017 (url).
(493) HRW, World Report 2017, 2 December 2016 (url); AI, Annual Report, Gambia 2016/2017, 22 February 2017(url).
(494) Al-Jazeera, Adama Barrow faces test as he returns to The Gambia, 26 January 2017 (url).; Al-Jazeera, Adama
Barrow pledges truth commission over Yahya Jammeh, 21 January 2017 (url); World Politics Review, To Ensure Its
Democratic Transition, Gambia Will Need Justice – and Reconciliation, 2 May 2017 (url).
(495) BBC News, Gambia to set up truth commission to probe Jammeh’s rule, 24 March 2017 (url); New Vision,
Gambia police probing dozens of forced disappearances, 5 April 2017 (url).
(496) RSF, 2017 World Press Freedom Index, 26 April 2017 (url).
(497) AI, Annual Report Gambia 2016/2017, 22 February 2017 (url).
(498) The following laws were enacted: National Media Commission Act, Newspaper Amendment Act. Criminal Code
Amendment Act. Jallow, Alagi Yorro, Delayed Democracy: How Press Freedom Collapsed in The Gambia, 2013, pp.
41-44; 58-66; Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015,
p. 526.
(499) CPJ, Deyda Hydara, The Point, Killed in Banjul, Gambia, 16 December 2004, n.d. (url).

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







have not been fully explained. The Court of Justice of the ECOWAS ruled in 2014 thatthe accused, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), had failed to carry out a proper
investigation but that there was no proof that the government had been involved in
Hydara’s murder. (500) In May 2017 a warrant was issued for the arrest of two former
Junglers who were accused of killing Deyda Hydara in 2004 (see Section 2.10 Former
government officials - Junglers); (501)
Ebrima Manneh, a journalist with the Daily Observer, disappeared in 2006 undercircumstances which have not been explained thus far; (502)
Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay, Director of Radio Taranga FM, stated that he had been
tortured and beaten unconscious while in detention in 2015; (503)
Government bodies, mainly members of the NIA and Junglers (see Section 2.7 Former
government officials – National Intelligence Agency and Section 2.10 Former
government officials – Junglers), repeatedly attacked editorial offices and printers andcompletely or partially destroyed them. They threatened journalists or took them into
temporary detention. The period of detention could last from half a day to several
months. Editorial offices were temporarily or permanently closed. In his book on press
freedom in The Gambia, the exiled former publisher of the Independent, Alagi Yorro
Jallow, provides a detailed description of dozens of events between 1994 and 2012.
(504) Offences between 2012 and 2016 are documented in human rights reports; (505)Some organs of the press, notably The Point and Foroyaa, subjected themselves toself-censorship, thus ensuring their survival. (506) According to information from Alagi
Yorro Jallow, during the Jammeh government up to 2012 approximately 40 named
journalists went into exile or sought asylum abroad; (507)
The Jammeh government succeeded in hacking the website of the diaspora news site
Freedom Newspaper in May 2006. It temporarily detained 43 of its subscribers andinformants in The Gambia. Jammeh repeatedly blocked this and other websites whichwere critical of the government. (508) All diaspora news sites were blocked in the runup to the presidential elections in 2016. (509)

The new government under Adama Barrow has announced that it will guarantee theindependence of the press and repeal the restrictive media laws introduced by the Jammeh(500) Jallow, Alagi Yorro, Delayed Democracy: How Press Freedom Collapsed in The Gambia, 2013, p. 44; Europa
Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 526.
(501) Daily Observer, Ex-Interior Minister Has NO Connection With Atrocities Committed – CMC Coordinator, 10
April 2017 (url); Freedom Newspaper, Sanna Manjang Cries, When Jammeh Asked Him If He Was Part Of General
Badjie’s Camp!, 28 December 2015 (url); Freedom Newspaper, Malick Jatta, A Gambian Soldier Accused of Killing
Journalist Deyda Hydara Arrested!, 27 February 2017 (url); AFP, Two charged for 2004 murder of Gambianjournalist Hydara, 19 May 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 205-06.
(502) Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 526; CPJ,
CPJ seeks meeting with Gambian President Adama Barrow, 1 February 2017 (url).
(503) Jollofnews, Escaped Gambian Journalist ‘Arrives’ In Senegal, 23 April 2016 (url); CPJ, Gambian journalist
sentenced to two years in prison, 23 November 2016 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia,
2016, p. 285.
(504) Jallow, Alagi Yorro, Delayed Democracy: How Press Freedom Collapsed in The Gambia, 2013, pp. 115-141;
Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 313; Europa Publications, Europa Regional Surveys of
the World, Africa South of the Sahara 2016, 2015, p. 526.
(505) CPJ, Gambian journalist sentenced to two years in prison, 23 November 2016 (url); Freedom House, Freedom
in the World 2016, The Gambia, 27 July 2016 (url).
(506) Jallow, Alagi Yorro, Delayed Democracy: How Press Freedom Collapsed in The Gambia, 2013, p. 68; Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 311-313.
(507) Jallow, Alagi Yorro, Delayed Democracy: How Press Freedom Collapsed in The Gambia, 2013, pp. 113-114.
(508) Jallow, Alagi Yorro, Delayed Democracy: How Press Freedom Collapsed in The Gambia, 2013, p. 93; Perfect,
David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 290-291.
(509) Viber, WhatsApp and Skype were also blocked from August 2016. Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2016
– Gambia, 14 November 2016 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 214, 313.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 65

government as part of a constitutional review process. (510) However, to date the following
widely criticised restrictions have not been withdrawn, as reported by Amnesty International
records in a list of demands: the legal provision in the Criminal Code relating to ‘sedition’(Section 52, offence of sedition), ‘libel’ (Section 178, criminal libel), ‘spreading false
information’ (Section 59 and 181A, spreading false information) and ‘giving false information
to a public servant’ (Section 114, giving false information to a public servant). The laws whichallow censorship of the internet (Communication Act 2013, Section 173) and the collection,interception and storage of information without judicial scrutiny (Information andCommunication Act 2009, Section 173A) are also still in force. (511) In July 2017 the JusticeDepartment announced via Twitter that reform of the media laws had started, but did notgive any details. (512)There are no indications that the new government has tried to exert pressure on the media
or block news sites so far. Rather, it has asked the public to offer sincere criticism of thegovernment's work. (513) Security organisations have been trained in how to guarantee thefreedom of expression and safety of journalists. (514) In one case, the new government
prohibited publication of a newspaper for a short time: the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA)
ruled that the Daily Observer, a newspaper which is close to ex-president Jammeh, could notappear for two weeks in June 2017. However, it was explained that this step was connectedwith outstanding tax payments. (515)
In March 2017 the Barrow administration announced that a Truth and Reconciliation
Commission would be set up within the next six months to investigate the fate of victims of
the Jammeh system. The journalists mentioned above – Deyda Hydara, Ebrima Manneh andAlagie Abdoulie Ceesay – were named, among others. In the announcement it was unclear
whether the investigation would also include criminal prosecution in relation to the eventsand financial compensation for the victims’ families. (516) The Commission had not been set
up by July 2017. (517) However, Justice Minister Aboubacarr Marie Tambedou, indicated thata draft bill on the Commission had been submitted to the expert consultation process. (518)(510) Monde (Le), Gambie: le nouveau ministre de la justice annonce une révision de la Constitution, 8 February
2017 (url); Voice of America (The), Gambian Media Thriving Since Jammeh’s Departure, 14 June 2017 (url).
(511) AI, Human Rights Priorities for the New Gambian Government, 28 April 2017 (url).
(512) Gambia (The), Ministry of Justice [Twitter], 20 July 2017 (url).
(513) Standard (The), President Barrow vows to protect media freedom, 23 March 2017 (url); Monde (Le), Paris.
Gambie : le nouveau ministre de la justice annonce une révision de la Constitution, 8 February 2017 (url) ;SmbcNews, Barrow welcomes public criticism towards his administration, 17 April 2017 (url).
(514) In June 2017 the human rights organisation Article 19, supported by UNESCO and the EU, ran training on thesafety of journalists for security organisations. Africanews, Gambian security forces to be schooled on humanrights, press freedom, 31 May 2017 (url); Voice of America (The), Gambian Media Thriving Since Jammeh’s
Departure, 14 June 2017 (url).
(515) Media Foundation For West Africa, Update: Pro-Jammeh Newspaper Resumes Operations, 30 June 2017 (url).
(516) BBC News, Gambia to set up truth commission to probe Jammeh’s rule, 24 March 2017 (url); Deutsche Welle,
The Gambia: coping with dictatorship’s legacy, 10 March 2017 (url).
(517) JollofNews Online, Building The New Gambia With Madi Jobarteh: Six Months Of Adama Barrow, 20 July 2017(url).
(518) Foroyaa Newspaper, Draft bill on truth, reconciliation and reparations commission concluded, 21 July 2017(url).

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3.2 Death penalty
During the First Republic, the death penalty was carried out in a single case in 1981. (519) In
1993 the Prime Minister, Dawda Jawara, abolished the death penalty. It was reinstated by the
AFPRC under Jammeh for murder and treason. (520)
Since then, the death penalty has officially been used to execute seven Gambians, one
Senegalese man and one Senegalese woman by shooting in 2012. Ex-president Jammeh had
previously announced that all 47 of those sentenced to death at the time should be executed.
Following national and international protests, no further death penalties were carried out.
(521)
For a short time, the death penalty was also available for persons carrying more than 250
grams of cocaine or heroin. The death penalty for drug possession and dealing was abolishedin April 2011. It was never applied. (522)
The new Gambian Justice Minister and Attorney General, Aboubacarr Marie Tambedou,
announced in early 2017 that he was seeking the general abolition of the death penalty. (523)After the first hundred days of President Barrow’s administration, Amnesty International
produced a detailed list of demands including concrete steps towards abolition of the death
penalty in law and practice. (524) The death penalty has not been abolished to date.

3.3 Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons
Ex-president Jammeh denounced LGBT persons in public on more than one occasion. In 2008,
on state television, (525) Jammeh gave gay people a 24-hour ultimatum to leave the country,
otherwise he would cut off their heads. (526) In 2012 he stated before the parliament thathomosexuality was ‘godless’. (527) In 2013 he said that homosexuality was evil and anti-God,
anti-human and anti-civilisation. (528) His government would show zero tolerance ofhomosexuality – as for drugs, corruption, rape and murder. It would use ‘Operation Bulldozer’
against ‘criminals’ who were guilty of these crimes. (529) In 2014 he described homosexuals as(519) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016,pS. 115; UK Home Office, The Gambia, Country of
Origin Information (COI) Report, 05 November 2013 (url), pp. 15-16; US DoS, The Gambia 2012 Human Rights
Report, 19 April 2013 (url), pp. 2-6, 10, 16-17; HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), pp. 29-31; in relation
to the constitutionality of the death penalty in The Gambia: Novak, Andrew, The Rule of Law, Constitutional
Reform, and the Death Penalty in The Gambia, 2013 (url), pp. 217-235.
(520) Decree No 52 of the Provisional Ruling Council of August 1995 reinstated the death penalty. Perfect, David,
Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 115; Novak, Andrew, Legislative note: the abolition of the death
penalty for drug offenses in The Gambia, 2012 (url), p. 64; Novak, Andrew, The Rule of Law, Constitutional Reform,
and the Death Penalty in The Gambia, 2013 (url), pp. 217-235.
(521) HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), p. 53; Novak, Andrew, The Rule of Law, Constitutional Reform,
and the Death Penalty in The Gambia, 2013 (url).
(522) The death penalty for drug dealing and possession of drugs applied between October 2010 and April 2011.
Novak, Andrew, Legislative note: the abolition of the death penalty for drug offenses in The Gambia, 2012 (url), p.
63.
(523) SmbcNews, Gambia’s Attorney General seeks removal of death penalty from justice system, 20 February 2017(url); Africa Review, Nairobi. Minister: Gambia ready to abolish death penalty, 28 March 2017 (url).
(524) AI, Human Rights Priorities For The New Gambian Government, 28 April 2017 (url).
(525) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 331.
(526) BBC, Gambia gay death threat condemned, 23 May 2008 (url).
(527) ILGA, No Room for Gays, Lesbians – President Jammeh, 24 April 2012 (url).
(528) ILGA, Promoting Homosexuality Is a Declaration of War On Religions, President Jammeh, 25 July 2013 (url).
(529) US DoS, The Gambia 2013 Human Rights Report, 27 February 2014 (url), p. 25; allAfrica, Gambia: Operation<Bulldozer> Launched, 23 May 2012 (url).

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 67‘vermin’ which the government would deal with in the same way as mosquitoes which carry
malaria. (530)
Jammeh’s attitude towards homosexuality was shared by the Supreme Islamic Council. Its
representatives repeatedly condemned homosexuality. Jammeh urged imams to preachagainst homosexuality in the mosques. Very few people opposed this publicly. (531) Several
high ranking government officials in the Jammeh regime publicly asserted they were
homophobic (see Section 2.11 Former government officials – APRC officials). (532) In December
2014 ex-president Jammeh led a demonstration, presumably organised by the government,
against the use of foreign aid to guarantee the rights of gays and lesbians. (533)
Homosexuality has been punishable in The Gambia since 1934. Consensual same-sex
relationships were deemed to be ‘against the order of nature’ and can still be punished by
imprisonment for up to 14 years. (534)
The revised version of the criminal legislation of 2005 explicitly made ‘acts of gross indecency’
between a woman and another woman punishable punishable. These acts between men werealready punishable. (535) A 2013 amendment to the law made it possible to punish a man withup to five years’ imprisonment if he wore women's clothing or worked as a prostitute. (536)The legislation was tightened further in 2014. ‘Aggravated homosexuality’ became a crime
which could be punished by life imprisonment. (537)
As of 2014, the Gambian Criminal Code contains the following articles which might be usedagainst persons having same sex relations:‘Article 144: Unnatural offences(1) Any person who—a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; orb) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or(530) For further examples of Jammeh’s hate speeches against homosexuals, see: HRW, State of Fear, 16 September
2015 (url), pp. 49-51; Independent (The), The 7 worst things Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh hast ever said
about gay people, 14 January 2015 (url).
(531) Baba Leigh, leading imam of Kanifing East Central Mosque, was the most popular of the imams who opposed
Jammeh’s call to preach against homosexuality. In 2013 he went into exile in the USA, after being detained for 6
months. Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 269-271; allAfrica, Gambia: Homosexuality
Should Not Be Encouraged – Says Imam Kuta, 14 December 2012 (url); Daily News, Imam Touray Condemns
Homosexuality, 30 April 2012 (url); African Arguments, ‚Do more, speak less‘, 26 April 2017 (url).
(532) Fatu Network (The), Yankuba Colley says Yaya Jammeh Deserves SOME Respect! 15 March 2017 (url);Sunugambia, Mayor Yankuba Colley Aprc, we have nothing to fear about, 18 March 2017 (url); US DoS, The Gambia
2014 Human Rights Report, 25 June 2015 (url), p. 27.
(533) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, p. 271; UK Home Office, CIG, The Gambia: Sexual
orientation and gender identity, January 2016 (url), p. 18; AllAfrica, Gambia: Thousands March to Say <No to
Homosexuality>, 10 December 2014 (url).
(534) Gambia (The), Laws of Gambia, Criminal Code of 1934, Section 144, Unnatural offences; Section 145, Attempts
to commit unnatural offences; Section 146, Indecent assault of boys under 14; Section 147, Male indecency;
Section 148, Incest by males; Section 149, Incest by females, 1 October 1934 (url); ILGA, State-Sponsored
Homophobia, A World Survey of Sexual Orientation Laws: Criminalisation, Protection and Recognition, May 2017(url), pp. 88-89.
(535) Gambia (The), Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, No. 3 of 2005, 21 July 2005 (url), Section 147(2).
(536) UK Home Office, CIG, The Gambia: Sexual orientation and gender identity, January 2016, (url), pp. 11-12; Point(The), Criminal Code Act amended <to reflect political realities>, 17 April 2013 (url); AI, Gambia: Principal Act raises
serious Human Rights Concerns, 07 May 2013 (url).
(537) Gambia (The), Gambia Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014, 25 August 2014 (url).

68 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUSc) permits any person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against theorder of nature;is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 14 years.
(2) In this section, ‘carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature’
includes –a) carnal knowledge of the person through the anus or mouth of the person;b) inserting any object or thing into the vulva or anus of the person for the
purpose of simulating sex, andc) committing any other homosexual act with the person.
Article 144A: Aggravated homosexuality(1) A person commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality where the –a) person against whom the offence is committed is below the age ofeighteen;b) offender is a person living with HIV Aids;c) offender is a parent or guardian of the person against whom the offence iscommitted;d) offender is a person in authority over the person against whom the offence
is committed;e) victim of the offence is a person with disability;f) offender is a serial offender; org) offender applies, administers or causes to be administered by any man or
woman, any drug, matter or substance with intent to stupefy or overpower
him or her, so as to enable any person to have un-lawful carnal connection
with any person of the same sex.
(2) A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality is liable onconviction to imprisonment for life. (…)
Article 147: Indecent practices between males(1) Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act ofgross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person
to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure thecommission of any such act by any male person with himself or with anothermale person, whether in public or private, is guilty of a felony and is liable toimprisonment for five years.
(2) Any female person who, whether in public or private, commits any act ofgross indecency with another female person, or procures another female
person to commit any act of gross indecency with her, or attempts to procure
the commission of any such act by any female person with herself or withanother female person, whether in public or private, is guilty of a felony andis liable to imprisonment for five years.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 69(3) In this section, ‘act of gross indecency’ includes any homosexual act’. (538)The bill closely reflected the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act. (539) After the Ugandan
constitutional court declared this invalid in 2014, The Gambia became the only African country
with a law on ‘aggravated homosexuality’. (540) Jammeh attracted severe criticism for it bothinternationally (541) and in The Gambia itself. (542)
According to the US DoS Human Rights Report 2013, before the law was tightened in 2014 theprovisions on homosexuality in The Gambia had never been applied. (543) There were arrests
but no charge of homosexuality. There is documentary evidence of the arrest of 18 men and
two women in April 2012. They were detained in a bar in the tourist area because some of themen were allegedly wearing women's clothing. They were charged with ‘unnatural offences’and remained in detention until August 2012, when the charges were withdrawn due to lackof evidence. (544)
According to the US DoS Human Rights Report 2014, at the end of 2014, after the tighteningof the law, NIA conducted door-to-door enquiries looking for homosexuals. (545) Up to 16
people were arrested by the NIA and mistreated on suspicion of being homosexual, including
women and a 17 year-old boy. (546) Three of them were detained several weeks and arereported to have been tortured. (547)These three men were the first to be tried on the count of ‘aggravated homosexuality’ under
the amended Criminal code. (548) They first appeared before the magistrates court in Banjul
before appearing before the Supreme Court in July 2015. Sources give different accounts, but(538) Gambia (The), Gambia Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014, 25 August 2014 (url); US DoS, The Gambia 2014
Human Rights Report, 25 June 2015 (url), pp. 26-27; ACCORD, Anfragebeantwortung zu Gambia: Informationenzu Homosexualität, 27 March 2017 (url), p.5; Rights in Exile Programme, Gambia LGBTI Resources, last updated 1
August 2016 (url); Gambia (The), Gambia Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014, 25 August 2014 (url); The Gambia
Criminal Code and its amendments can be consulted here: (url).
(539) Republic of Uganda, The Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014, 14 February 2017 (url).
(540) Library of Congress, Gambia, Parliament Adopts Stringent Anti-Homosexuality Law, 16 September 2016 (url);
ACCORD, Anfragebeantwortung zu Gambia: Informationen zu Homosexualität, 27 March 2017 (url), p. 3; ILGA,State-Sponsored Homophobia, May 2017 (url), pp. 88-89.
(541) UN OHCHR, The Gambia: Zeid criticizes harsh legal amendment, violence and arrests targeting gay men andlesbians, 20 November 2014 (url); HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), pp. 49-57; CEDAW, Concluding
observations on the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports of the Gambia, 27 July 2015 (url), p. 10; Global
Voices, Signs of Islamic Law Taking Root in The Gambia, 10 January 2016 (url); SFH, Gambia: Situation der LGBTI(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex), 28 July 2015 (url), pp. 3-9.
(542) Leader of the opposition Omar Amadou Jallow from the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) publicly criticised thetightening of the law in 2014. In 2017 Barrow made Jallow a minister. Reuters, Gambia leader heralds new dawn
for minister jailed 22 times, 19 February 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp.
223-234, 271.
(543) US DoS, The Gambia 2013 Human Rights Report, 27 February 2014 (url), p. 25; UK Home Office, CIG, The
Gambia: Sexual orientation and gender identity, January 2016 (url), p. 15.
(544) UK Home Office, CIG, The Gambia: Sexual orientation and gender identity, January 2016 (url), p. 14; US DoS,The Gambia 2012 Human Rights Report, 19 April 2013 (url), p. 28; The Africa Report, Homosexuality: The Gambia’s
smoke and mirrors, 09 May 2012 (url).
(545) US DoS, The Gambia 2014 Human Rights Report, 25 June 2015 (url), p. 27.
(546) AI, Gambia: “Aggravated Homosexuality’’ Offence Carries Life Sentence, 21 November 2014 (url); Erasing 76
Crimes, 15 were arrested in anti-gay Gambia; all are now free, 1 August 2015 (url); UN Human Rights Council,
Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, JuanE. Méndez, 16 March 2015 (url), p. 17.
(547) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, Juan E. Méndez, 16 March 2015 (url), p. 17.
(548) US DoS, The Gambia 2016 Human Rights Report, 3 March 2017 (url), p. 27; US DoS, The Gambia 2015 Human
Rights Report, 13 April 2016 (url); US DoS, The Gambia 2014 Human Rights Report, 25 June 2015 (url), p. 27.

70 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

it seems that at least two of the accused were acquitted. (549) The third accused had either
already been released on bail or was also acquitted. (550)
Sources indicate that NIA kept a list of names of gays and lesbians they intended to arrest.
(551) Human Rights Watch documented 30 cases of members of the LGBT community who left
The Gambia after the law was tightened in 2014. (552) For Jammeh’s last year in power, Human
Rights Watch noted that there were fewer reports of physical abuse and arrests in 2016
despite the continuing high risk of arbitrary arrest and detention. (553)
According to the US DoS Human Rights Reports, there is still a high level of societal
discrimination against LGBT persons. (554) According to the UN Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, hate speech and discriminatory legislation put
LGBT persons at great risk of attack, humiliation and being killed. (555) There are reports ofaggression and sexual violence against LBGT persons, whereas perpetrators often are family
members. (556)There are no LGBTI organisations in The Gambia. (557)
In view of the prevailing conservative attitudes, the new President Adama Barrow has given a
cautious response to the question of where he stands in relation to the Gambian legislation
on homosexuality. (558) He said that homosexuality was a personal matter, adding that it wasnot, and never had been, an issue in The Gambia. The priorities for the country were economic
and social matters. (559)
Human rights activists have criticised Barrow, saying that he has not made his position
towards the Gambian legislation on homosexuality clear enough. Isatou Touray, the newGambian Employment Minister and a well-known human rights activist, was asked how the
President's position should be understood. She replied that Barrow believed people had aright to whichever orientation they chose. It was a question of the indivisibility of rights andof course everyone had a right to exist. (560) Foreign Secretary Ousainou Darboe has supported
the repealing of the laws against LGBT individuals, denying the existence of homosexuality inthe country. (561) None of the criticised laws has been amended to date. (562)(549) US DoS, The Gambia 2016 Human Rights Report, 3 March 2017 (url), p.27.
(550) BuzzFeed News, This Gay Man Survived Torture In One Of Africa's Most Horrific Dictatorships, 25 August 2015(url); Washington Blade, Gambian men charged under anti-gay law acquitted, 1 August 2015 (url).
(551) AI, Gambia must stop wave of homophobic arrests and torture, 18 November 2014 (url); allAfrica, Gambia:
Lesbians Flee to Senegal As Gambia Cracks Down On Homosexuality, 21 November 2014 (url).
(552) HRW, State of Fear, 16 September 2015 (url), p. 53; Reuters, Lesbians flee to Senegal as Gambia cracks down
on homosexuality, 21 November 2014 (url).
(553) Human Rights Watch, World Report 2017, 2 December 2016 (url).
(554) US DoS, The Gambia 2016 Human Rights Report, 3 March 2017 (url), p. 27; see also earlier Human Rights
Reports by the US DoS: The Gambia 2015 Human Rights Report, 13 April 2016 (url) and The Gambia 2014 Human
Rights Report, 25 June 2015 (url), p. 27.
(555) UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, Addendum: Mission the Gambia, 11 May 2015 (url), p. 18.
(556) Niang, Cheikh Ibrahima et al., Targeting Vulnerable Groups in National HIV/AIDS Programs, September 2004(url); Stahlman, Shauna, et al. Suicidal ideation among MSM in three West African countries, p. 526.
(557) US DoS, The Gambia 2016 Human Rights Report, 3 March 2017 (url), p. 27.
(558) Perfect, David, The Gambian 2016 Presidential Election and its Aftermath, 25 May 2017 (url), p. 331.
(559) Point (The), Homosexuality not an issue in Gambia, says President Barrow, 14 February 2017 (url); allAfrica,
Homosexuality Not an Issue in Gambia, Says President Barrow, 14 February 2017 (url); Devex, The New Gambia:
What’s on and off the aid agenda, 17 February 2017 (url); MambaOnline, Relief as Gambia’s new president says
homosexuality <not an issue>, 15 February 2017 (url).
(560) ACCORD, Anfragebeantwortung zu Gambia: Informationen zu Homosexualität, 27 March 2017 (url), pp. 5-6;
Devex, The New Gambia: What’s on and off the aid agenda, 17 February 2017 (url).
(561) SmbcNews, Gambia’s Ousainou Darboe supports repealing of anti-homosexual law, 15 May 2017 (url).
(562) ILGA, State-Sponsored Homophobia. May 2017 (url), pp. 88-89.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 71

3.4 Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) has been banned in The Gambia since December
2015. (563) Any person who, despite the ban, carries out, requests, incites or promotes
mutilation or cutting or provides tools for the procedure will be punished by imprisonment
for up to three years and/or a fine of 50,000 dalasi (around EUR 1,000). Any person who knows
about mutilation or cutting and fails to report the banned procedure must pay 10,000 dalasi.
The sentence for anybody who carries out mutilation or cutting which results in the death of
the girl concerned is life imprisonment. (564)Despite the ban, it should prove difficult to eliminate the practice in The Gambia soon because
FGM/C is deeply embedded in the Gambian society. (565) There is also a significant lacuna
which can be used to bypass the Act: the text of the Act does not explicitly ban cutting whichtakes place in another country (especially in nearby Senegal). (566)
According to the Gambian Demographic and Health Survey 2013, 75% of all women between
the ages of 15 and 49 had been cut in some way. In women above 15, the prevalence of FGM/C
varies little by age group. (567) Statistics show that cutting is done during childhood, with 55%
of women reporting that they were circumcised before the age 5, and 28% who were cut
between age 5 and 9. Another 7% said they were circumcised between the ages of 10 to 14.
(568) In 2010, 42.4% of girls under 15 had undergone some sort of FGM/C. (569)The survey shows that FGM/C is more common in rural (79% of women aged 15-49) than inurban areas (72%). The prevalence was highest in Basse (97%) and Mansakonko (94%) andlowest in Banjul (47%). (570) The main interventions involved cutting and removal of flesh,which correspond to FGM type 1 and 2 according the World Health Organization typology.

(563) The legal basis of the ban is the Amendment Act, sections 32A and 32B of the 2010 Women’s Act. The text of
the Act uses the term ‘circumcision’ instead of FGM/C; UK Home Office, CPIN, Gambia: Female genital mutilation(FGM), December 2016 (url), pp. 18-21; ARC, A Commentary on the December 2016 Country Policy and Information
Note issued on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, 11 July 2017 (url); Perfect, David, Historical
Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 146-147; AfricLaw, Banning female circumcision in The Gambia throughlegislative change: The next steps, 19 January 2016 (url).
(564) AfricLaw, Banning female circumcision in The Gambia through legislative change: The next steps, 19 January
2016 (url); Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 146-147; UK Home Office, CPIN, Gambia:
Female genital mutilation (FGM), December 2016 (url), pp. 18-21; US DoS, The Gambia 2016 Human Rights Report,
3 March 2017 (url), pp. 21-22; Daily Observer, Anti-fgm bill enacted, 29 December 2015 (url).
(565) Shell-Duncan, Bettina et al., Dynamics of change in the practice of female genital cutting in Senegambia:
Testing predictions of social convention theory, October 2011 (url), pp. 1275-1283; Ahmadu, Fuambai, Male andFemale Circumcision among the Mandinka of The Gambia, approved 2005, printed 2016; Bellemare, Marc F., andSteinmetz, Tara L., All in the Family: Explaining the Persistence of Female Genital Cutting in the Gambia, 27 July
2013 (url); Chant, Silvia, and Isatou Touray, Gender in Gambia in Retrospect and Prospect, 2012 (url).
(566) AfricLaw, Banning female circumcision in The Gambia through legislative change: The next steps, 19 January
2016 (url).
(567) Gambia (The), GBoS / ICF International, The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013, September 2014(url), pp. 221-222.
(568) Gambia (The), GBoS / ICF International, The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013, September 2014(url), p. 222.
(569) Gambia (The), GBoS / UNICEF, Banjul. The Gambia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2010, Final Report, June2012 (url), p. 165.
(570) Gambia (The), GBoS / UNICEF, The Gambia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2010, Final Report, June 2012(url), pp. 164-166.

72 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS(571) Cutting is generally performed by a traditional circumciser. (572) An older survey (2010)
revealed significant differences between different ethnic groups. Rates were highest among
the Mandinka (96.7%) and Serahule (97.8%); for Wolof the rate was 12.4%. (573)
There have been accusations against the new President Barrow, claiming that some of his
supporters are involved in illicit FGM/C practices and regard the ban primarily as the previous
president’s law. (574) Barrow has promised his full support for implementation of the FGM/C
ban. (575)
Two cases of FGM/C practices were reported between January 2016 and June 2017. In thefirst case, in which a young child died, the court at Mansakonko charged the mother andgrandmother. In the second case, the girl’s grandfather and a circumciser were arrested but
were released on bail. Judgment is pending in both cases. (576) The human rights organisation
Asylum Research Consultancy (ARC) stated that although it could be considered a success that
two cases had been brought to court just a few months after the ban on FGM/C, far moreevidence has to be gathered to actually convict the perpetrators, and more resources(financial and human) have to be allocated to the competent authorities. (577) Other
organisations or researchers believe that two cases is too low a number and see this as proof
that the relevant state authorities are only implementing the law half-heartedly. (578)
Civil society organisations which seek to end FGM/C in The Gambia, such as The Gambia
Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children(GAMCOTRAP), (579) Safe Hands for Girls, Think Young Women, The Girls Agenda, Tostan,
YesWeCan Foundation and Foundation Wassu, carry out awareness-raising campaigns (580)
and also use the media for this purpose. (581)

3.5 Discrimination against the Mandinka under Jammeh
During his time in power, ex-president Jammeh played off the ethnic groups against one
another. This stoked existing latent tensions between his own ethnic group, the Jola, and thebiggest ethnic group, the Mandinka. (582) The leaders of the main opposition party, the(571) Gambia (The), GBoS / ICF International, The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013, September 2014(url), pp. 221-222; Lien, Inger-Lise, The perspectives of Gambian men on the sexuality of cut and uncut women, 30
December 2016 (url); WHO, Female Genital Mutilation Fact Sheet, updated February 2017 (url).
(572) Gambia (The), GBoS / ICF International, The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013, September 2014(url), p. 223.
(573) Gambia (The), GBoS / ICF International, The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013, September 2014(url), pp. 221-222; Lien, Inger-Lise, The perspectives of Gambian men on the sexuality of cut and uncut women,30
December 2016 (url).
(574) Standard (The), Barrow asks Ministers to declare Assets, 23 June 2017 (url).
(575) SmbcNews, Gambia’s president to maintain good Jammeh laws, 16 May 2017 (url).
(576) ARC, A Commentary on the December 2016 Country Policy and Information Note issued on Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, 11 July 2017 (url), p. 6.
(577) ARC, A Commentary on the December 2016 Country Policy and Information Note issued on Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, 11 July 2017 (url), p. 6.
(578) ARC, A Commentary on the December 2016 Country Policy and Information Note issued on Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, 11 July 2017 (url), pp. 7-10.
(579) GAMCOTRAP, Main Areas of Focus for GAMCOTRAP, 28 June 2016 (url).
(580) Think Young Women, First National Youth Forum on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), 6-9 October 2014, n.d.
(url); AllAfrica, Gambia: 22 Villages Abandon FGC, Early and Forced Marriage in Urr, 19 January 2016 (url); Point(The), Zero Tolerance Day to FGM: Rescue our sealed girls, 09 February 2017 (url); Point (The), TGA wins 10,000
euros grant on FGM, child marriage, 22 June 2017 (url); Safe Hands for Girls, The Gambia Student Outreach
Program, n.d. (url); Point (The), YesWeCan Foundation sensitises Touba Kuta community on FGM, 13 July 2017(url); Tostan, The Gambia, n.d. (url); Foundation Wassu, Knowledge Transfer, n.d. (url).
(581) Foroyaa Newspaper, Media Personalities Fighting Against FGM Honoured, 10 July 2017 (url).
(582) Hultin, Niklas, et al., Autocracy, Migration, and the Gambia’s ‘unprecedented’ 2016 Election, 13 March 2017(url), p. 324.

EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS— 73

People’s Progressive Party (PPP), were originally mainly Mandinka, although this changed overtime. (583) As a Jola, Jammeh repeatedly filled key posts in the cabinet, army and National
Intelligence Agency (NIA) with his own people. In June 2016 he seriously threatened the
Mandinka in a speech. This speech was later condemned by the UN Special Advisor on thePrevention of Genocide. (584) Jammeh said the Mandinka were Malians, not Gambians. He
would send them back where they came from and send the army to wipe them out. Three
politicians who publicly protested against his polemic were detained. (585)
Adama Barrow and his government have repeatedly spoken out against tribalism. (586)

3.6 Witchcraft
Following the death of an aunt in 2009, Jammeh brought in professional witch-hunters from
Mali and Guinea who would allegedly identify those responsible. (587) Hundreds were throwninto prison, ill-treated and forced to drink hallucinogenic substances. Two people are said tohave died.588 It is thought that the Green Boys played a significant role in the witch-hunt (seeSection 1.9.4 Junglers, Black Boys, Green Boys). In 2016 Jammeh is said to have used witchhunters again against alleged magicians. (589)
When Barrow was in exile in Senegal for a short time during the constitutional crisis, his son
Habibu was bitten to death by a dog. There were rumours that Jammeh was behind it andthat witchcraft was involved. Barrow did not respond to these rumours and so far has not
publicly addressed witchcraft as an issue during his administration. (590)(583) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 283-284.
(584) UN, L'ONU dénonce la rhétorique incendiaire du Président de Gambie visant un groupe ethnique, 10 June
2016 (url).
(585) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 247-248, 283-284; US DoS, The Gambia 2016
Human Rights Report, 03 March 2017 (url), pp. 3, 11, 18, 26; Africa is a Country, Yahya Jammeh’s tribalism, 26
December 2016 (url); Freedom Newspaper, The Gambia Is Not A Mandinka Country, 4 June 2016 (url); Gainako
Online Newspaper, Excerpts from Jammeh’s anti-Mandinka Hate Speech, 15 June 2016 (url); BBC, Gambie:<battus> pour outrage à Jemmeh, 21 June 2016 (url).
(586) Point (The), Tribe is not important to me, president-elect Barrow says, 09 December 2016 (url); Point (The),
Gambia: New Gambian Politics Breathes Against Tribalism, 2 March 2017 (url).
(587) Hultin, Niklas, Leaky humanitarianism: The anthropology of small arms control in the Gambia, 2015 (url), p.
70.
(588) UK Home Office, The Gambia, Country of Origin Information (COI) Report, 5 November 2013 (url), p. 26.
(589) Perfect, David, Historical Dictionary of The Gambia, 2016, pp. 444-445.
(590) Face2face Africa, Eight-year-old Son of Gambian President-Elect Adama Barrow Suddenly Killed, But by Dog?
17 January 2017 (url); Freedom Newspaper, Gambia Gov’t Kills Dog, Which Takes The Life Of President’s Son!, 2
February 2017 (url).

74 —EASO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT: THE GAMBIA – COUNTRY FOCUS

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2017

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— 75

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Annex 2: Maps
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— 119

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doi: 10.2847/732387