Date of Birth: May 25, 1965
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Biography
Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh is a Gambian politician and former military officer who served as President of The Gambia from 1994 to 2017. Jammeh was born in Kanilai, a village in the Foni Kansala District of the Western Division of The Gambia. He completed his early education in the Gambia and pursued higher education at the Gambia High School. Later, he joined the Gambian National Army in 1984 and rose through the ranks. Jammeh came to power in a bloodless military coup d’état on July 22, 1994, overthrowing the government of Dawda Jawara. He established the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) and ruled by decree until 1996, when he transitioned to a civilian president after winning elections. He was re-elected in subsequent elections in 2001, 2006, and 2011, although these elections were marred with accusations of fraud and human rights abuses. During his presidency, Jammeh was known for his controversial statements and policies, including claims to have herbal cures for AIDS and other diseases. His regime was characterized by widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture. In December 2016, Jammeh lost the presidential election to Adama Barrow but initially refused to step down, leading to a political crisis. Under international pressure and the threat of military intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he eventually went into exile in Equatorial Guinea on January 21, 2017.
5 Interesting Facts about Yahya Jammeh
1. Yahya Jammeh claimed that he could cure AIDS with herbal medicine and spiritual healing.
2. He was known for his eccentric fashion sense, often seen wearing elaborate traditional Gambian attire and carrying a Quran and a prayer bead.
3. Jammeh initiated major infrastructure projects, including the construction of roads, schools, and hospitals.
4. He was awarded the title of “Babili Mansa,” which means “Bridge Builder” in Mandinka.
5. Jammeh was accused of embezzling millions of dollars from the state during his time in power.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Yahya Jammeh
1. “I will rule for a billion years if Allah wills it.”
2. “Homosexuality is anti-God, anti-human, and anti-civilization.”
3. “We will not accept any foreign interference in our internal affairs.”
4. “No coup d’état can happen in the Gambia, and nobody can destabilize this country.”
5. “I can treat and cure AIDS and asthma, and I will continue to treat them.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his power, Yahya Jammeh’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 billion, largely attributed to embezzlement and corruption.
Children
Yahya Jammeh has several children, including: – Mariam Jammeh – Muhammad Yahya Jammeh – Asombi Bojang Jammeh
Relevant Links
1. [Yahya Jammeh – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_Jammeh
2. [Yahya Jammeh profile – BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12002472
3. [The Guardian – Yahya Jammeh](https://www.theguardian.com/world/yahya-jammeh
4. [Human Rights Watch – Yahya Jammeh](https://www.hrw.org/tag/yahya-jammeh
5. [Al Jazeera – Yahya Jammeh](https://www.aljazeera.com/topics/people/yahya-jammeh.html