93-630: President of the Gambia Government parliamentary election local elections others Family Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (born 25 May 1965) is a Gambian politician and military dictator who overthrew the elected government and became President of the Gambia from 1996 to 2017, as well as Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) from 1994 to 1996. Jammeh
186-544: A bloodless coup that year and Adama Barrow , who defeated Jammeh in elections held in December 2016. As of 2021, there are no term limits for the president in the Constitution of the Gambia . Private (rank) A private is a soldier , usually with the lowest rank in many armies. Soldiers with the rank of private may be conscripts or they may be professional (career) soldiers. The term derives from
279-595: A "coup with a difference", and that the country would be returned to civilian rule "as soon as we have set things right". One result of the coup was that the European Union and the United States, the major donors of foreign aid to the Gambia, suspended their aid programmes until the country was returned to civil rule. Jammeh claimed the suspension of aid programmes amounted to " neocolonialism ". A Western diplomat who spoke to The New York Times said, "This
372-494: A Private of the same rank to necessarily obey his/her orders. In practice, chain of command (CoC) determines practical seniority by appointed charge. It is not uncommon for a Private (Trained) to be appointed in charge (IC) of his peers, including Acting Lacking Corporals, for a particular task/shift/event/exercise. Therefore, a Private (Recruit) with 5 or more years of seniority, for example (which often occurs, e.g., having entered through an NCM-SEP Archived 24 December 2013 at
465-499: A bloodless coup d'etat that overthrew the elected government of Sir Dawda Jawara . At first ruling by decree, he was elected president in the 1996 election . Jammeh was re-elected as president in 2001 , 2006 and 2011 , but lost to Adama Barrow in 2016 . His presidency oversaw a shift towards authoritarianism , demonstrated in particular by his policies towards anti-government journalists, LGBT+ people and opposition parties. His foreign policy led to constant difficulties with
558-440: A businessman with close ties to Jammeh in 1999, The Daily Observer became notably pro-Jammeh. In August 2000, the anti-government Radio 1 FM suffered an arson attack. Abdoulaye Saine states that Jammeh was able to use Gambia Radio & Television Service as his personal propaganda outlet whenever he required. Jammeh had made a number of public statements against the press. In July 2000, he said that "anybody bent on disturbing
651-653: A consequence of the new constitution. In contrast, opposition political parties [would be] sidelined and allowed little political space in a one-sided electoral contest in which Jammeh was the assured ‘winner’." Decree no. 89, issued on 14 August, reiterated the ban on the PPP , the NCP and the GPP , but lifted the ban on the PDOIS and the PDP . In 1996, on 28 August, Jammeh was formally promoted to
744-453: A crowd during an agricultural tour: "If you do it [in the Gambia] I will slit your throat – if you are a man and want to marry another man in this country and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again, and no white person can do anything about it." This prompted a fresh round of condemnation from international human rights leaders. US National Security Advisor Susan Rice released
837-645: A factor of 25) to distort the process in favour of the incumbent regime. A coup attempt against Jammeh was reported to have been thwarted on 21 March 2006; Jammeh, who was in Mauritania at the time, quickly returned home. Army chief of staff Col. Ndure Cham , the alleged leader of the plot, reportedly fled to neighbouring Senegal , while other alleged conspirators were arrested and were put on trial for treason. In April 2007, ten former officers accused of involvement were convicted and given prison sentences; four of them were sentenced to life in prison. Jammeh ran for
930-436: A four-year transition to civilian government. In November 1994, the same month when Jammeh was formally promoted to the rank of captain, there was an unsuccessful coup attempt by several disaffected young officers leading to numerous deaths, but Jammeh remained in power. The National Consultative Committee (NCC) was appointed on 7 December to review the transition process, and when they reported on 27 January 1995, they recommended
1023-409: A fourth term in office, reportedly having received 72% of the popular vote. One of Jammeh's consistent targets throughout his time as President was the press and the media, as a whole as well as individual journalists. In 1998, the independent Citizen FM radio station was forced to close after a number of its staff were arrested and its equipment was confiscated. After its American proprietor sold it to
SECTION 10
#17327806864671116-705: A pistol and threatened to shoot" a captain named Ebrima Camara simply on the basis of his ethnicity. He joined the Gambian National Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 29 September 1989, serving as the officer in charge (OIC) of the Presidential Escort, part of the Presidential Guards, from 1989 to 1990. In 1991, he served as the officer commanding (OC) the Mobile Gendarmerie, and from 1992 to 1994
1209-670: A single dose herbal infusion that could treat high blood pressure . Jammeh has also claimed to develop a treatment for infertility in women as part of what is called the President's Alternative Treatment Program (PATP). August and October 2005 saw a border feud with Senegal over increased ferry prices for crossings over the Gambia River . Jammeh has a close relationship with Jolas in the Casamance region of Senegal , who allowed him to "rule with impunity". In turn, Jammeh supported
1302-601: A soldier of private rank wears no insignia. Like its British Army counterpart, the Australian Army rank of private (PTE) has other titles, depending on the corps and specification of that service member. The following alternative ranks are available for privates in the Australian Army: In the New Zealand Army , a soldier of private rank wears no insignia. Like its British Army counterpart,
1395-681: A statement of condemnation on 16 May 2015: "We condemn his comments, and note these threats come amid an alarming deterioration of the broader human rights situation in the Gambia", said Rice. "We are deeply concerned about credible reports of torture, suspicious disappearances – including of two American citizens – and arbitrary detention at the government's hands". In January 2007, Jammeh claimed he could cure HIV/AIDS and asthma with natural herbs. His claimed treatment program includes instructing patients to cease taking their anti-retroviral drugs. His claims have been criticised for promoting unscientific treatment that could have dangerous results, including
1488-565: A substantive Corporal). Once the last prerequisite has been met, substantive promotion occurs (usually, only on paper, without a second ceremony to commemorate the promotion). While still an Acting Lacking Corporal Private (Trained) (AL/Cpl Pte(T)) (or, simply, Acting Lacking Corporal (AL/Cpl) , or, informally, Corporal (Cpl) ), the Private does not hold any authoritative or legal powers of Corporal rank. Newly granted Acting Lacking Corporals may often erroneously, by virtue of this grant, demand
1581-462: A third term in the presidential election held on 22 September 2006; the election was initially planned for October but was moved forward because of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan . He was re-elected with 67.3% of the vote and was declared the winner of the election; the opposition candidate Ousainou Darboe finished second, as in 2001. In November 2011, Jammeh was again re-elected as president for
1674-639: A two-year transition period. The same day as the NCC's report, two of the original coup leaders, Sabally and Hydara, launched an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Jammeh as chairman. Subsequently, Edward Singateh was appointed as vice-chairman of the AFPRC, and Hydara died in prison on 3 June. The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) was appointed in April 1995 and reported to the government in November 1995. Its report
1767-538: A waiver. A person who has earned the Eagle Scout award or the Gold Award or has completed at least two years of JROTC may enlist at any time at the rank of PV2. The third rank is private first class or "PFC", which is designated by an arc or "rocker" under the chevron. The term of address "Private" may be properly applied to any Army soldier E-1 (PV1) to E-3 (PFC). The abbreviation "Pvt" may be used whenever
1860-605: Is because Hungarian military traditions are strictly defensive, despite the Hungarian army participating in offensives on foreign soil in both world wars. The word honvéd has been in use since the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 . The term is not used for soldiers of foreign armies: a foreign soldier with no rank is called közlegény , literally "common lad" or "common man". Private (Pte) ( saighdiúr singil in Irish),
1953-694: Is being promoted as a human right by some powers," who "want to put an end to human existence." On 18 February 2014, Jammeh called homosexuals "vermins" by saying that: "We will fight these vermins [ sic ] called "homosexuals" or "gays" the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively". He also went on to disparage the LGBT by saying that "As far as I am concerned, LGBT can only stand for Leprosy , Gonorrhoea , Bacteria and Tuberculosis , all of which are detrimental to human existence". In May 2015, in defiance of Western criticism, Jammeh intensified his anti-gay rhetoric, telling
SECTION 20
#17327806864672046-724: Is exactly the same phenomenon we have seen elsewhere, with the only difference being that so far there has been no violence." In particular, the coup was compared with Samuel Doe 's in the Liberia , which led to the First Liberian Civil War . The 1994 coup d'etat in the Gambia, overthrowing the government of Sir Dawda Jawara, represented a reversal in the general trend in sub-Saharan Africa after 1989 away from authoritarianism and towards multiparty politics. The Gambia had previously represented an anomaly in Africa as one of
2139-532: Is filling a position on an establishment for which a rank higher than the member's substantive or temporary rank is authorized. However, this QR&O acting rank has been superseded by CFAO's provisional status , i.e., A/Cpl (P) and not the separate acting while so employed rank, i.e., AWSE Cpl or Cpl (AWSE) or A/Cpl (WSE), mentioned in the CFAO and never mentioned in the QR&;O. Going by CFAO policy, none of
2232-477: Is given the rank of soldaat (Dutch) or soldat (French), whether one wishes to be a volunteer, non-commissioned officer or officer. Subsequent rank depends on the branch of the service: for example, at the Royal Military Academy (for officer training) one is soon promoted to the rank of korporaal (Dutch) or caporal (French) i.e. "corporal". The insignia is a simple black mark or
2325-475: Is the last of the subtypes of acting promotions. They are known as theatre promotions , as they can necessarily only occur in-theatre, as they are "limited to designated commanders of operational theatres". However, AWSE promotions are unheard of in the regular junior ranks, as these exclusively exist in the realm of higher officers (usually Major and above) using the grieving process in order to be granted higher pay on top of what they are already making, as well as
2418-648: Is the lowest enlisted rank in the Irish Army . Soldiers enlist as recruits then undergo a basic course of instruction. There are three grades of private in the army. After basic training the soldier is upgraded (rather than promoted) from recruit to private 2 star (Pte 2*) ( saighdiúr singil, 2 réalta ). After more corps-specific training (usually lasting eight weeks) the soldier is upgraded to private 3 star (Pte 3*) ( saighdiúr singil, 3 réalta ). All are usually just addressed as "private", although before being upgraded, recruits may be addressed as "recruit". In corps units,
2511-504: Is under the umbrella terminology of promotion ) of the Private rank: Private (Recruit) , Private (Basic) , and Private (Trained) , which could arguably unofficially be considered equivalent to NATO codes OR-1, OR-2, and OR-3, respectively. The two main subtypes of acting promotions are acting/lacking (AL/) qualification and provisional status (A/ (P)) (rare). Acting lacking qualification has pay "promotion" (or, bonus) and seniority reasons only (once promoted substantively, seniority in
2604-408: The 1994 coup d'etat against Sir Dawda Jawara 's government. The other three were Sana Sabally , Sadibou Hydara and Edward Singateh . The coup, which took place on 22 July 1994, was successful and bloodless, leading to Jawara fleeing into exile. Four days later, on 26 July, the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) was formed with Jammeh as its chairman. Jammeh promised that it would be
2697-811: The Corps of Royal Marines , the rank structure follows that of British infantry regiments with the exception that the Royal Marines equivalent of private is Marine (Mne). During the course of the First World War, some Royal Marines also took the rank of Sapper , this was usually found as part of the Royal Marine Divisional Engineers of the Royal Naval Division . Upon enlistment to the Belgian army , one
2790-589: The Foni Kansala district of the Western Division of the Gambia. He is the son of Aja Fatou Ashombi Bojang, a housewife and trader, and Abdul Aziz James Junkung Jammeh, a career wrestler. Jammeh's grandparents migrated to the Gambia from the Casamance region of Senegal . He had a rural upbringing as part of a Muslim Jola family, primarily focused in Kanilai. One of his closest childhood friends
2883-515: The Italian Army soldato is the lowest military rank. This rank is also referred to as recluta (meaning recruit ). Soldato is the generic term for private. But in many specialized corps this term is never used, as a more specific, corp related, term is preferred. For instance the lowest rank in Alpine troops is alpino , and the lowest rank in the artillery is artigliere . In
Yahya Jammeh - Misplaced Pages Continue
2976-715: The Philippine Marine Corps . It stands below the rank of Private first class . It is equivalent to the Airman of the Air Force and the Apprentice Seaman of the Navy and Coast Guard. Once recruits complete their Basic Military Training (BMT) or Basic Rescue Training (BRT) , they attain the rank of private (PTE). Privates do not wear ranks on their rank holder. PTEs who performed well are promoted to
3069-686: The South African Army the lowest enlisted rank is Private. Privates do not wear insignia on their uniforms. In the different corps it is known with different titles. In the British Army , a private (Pte) equates to both OR-1 and OR-2 on the NATO scale, although there is no difference in rank. Privates wear no insignia. Many regiments and corps use other distinctive and descriptive names instead of private, some of these ranks have been used for centuries; others are less than 100 years old. In
3162-588: The State House of the Gambia , the official presidential residence. Local media quickly identified them as having entered the country from neighbouring Senegal under the command of Lt Col. Lamin Sanneh. Yahya Jammeh ran away and was out of the country, with sources differing on whether he was in France or Dubai . However, with the gunmen failing to consolidate control, the coup failed. Jammeh returned to Gambia
3255-627: The United States Army , private is used for the two lowest enlisted ranks , just below private first class (E-3) or PFC. The lowest rank is "private (E-1)" or PV1 , sometimes referred to as "recruit" , but this rank can also be held by some soldiers after punishment through the Uniform Code of Military Justice , or by soldiers punished under the UCMJ as a demotion until they are discharged . A PV1 wears no uniform rank insignia; since
3348-591: The Wayback Machine , completes college before attending basic training, then becomes permanently injured during basic training, works out his/her obligatory service (OS) and is considered for release and, subsequently, waits for said release), holds higher seniority than an Acting Lacking Corporal with 4 years seniority. In this case, the Private (Recruit), without appointment from the chain would theoretically become IC by default, over an Acting Lacking Corporal. A Private (Recruit) who has served for 2 years receives
3441-545: The Defence Administrative Orders and Directives (DAODs) going on three decades now but have not yet made any new policy on rank structural organization, which make the CFAOs the current de facto ratified policy on promotion). The QR&Os mention a former type of rank labelled acting , which refers to a granting of rank: ( a ) for an indefinite period; or ( b ) for the period during which the member
3534-582: The Defence Staff (CDS), in acting as the Final Authority (FA), quotes the incorrect policy, directing that the Queen's Regulations & Orders (QR&Os) be followed, even though QR&Os have long been superseded/amplified by Canadian Forces Administrative Orders (CFAOs) (in the areas by which they are superseded) (which, in turn, has claimed to have been in the process of being superseded by
3627-895: The English rank titles "DO NOT REFLECT A MODERN AND INCLUSIVE SERVICE" [ sic ]. The rank equivalent for Private (Recruit) and Private (Basic) is now Sailor Third Class (S3); and, for Private (Trained), Sailor Second Class (S2). The French equivalent for "Sailor" is matelot . The French-language equivalent for private is soldat . The French-language equivalent for Aviator is aviateur . The rank advancements are useful, as they allow comparability with other militaries and are associated with DAOD 5031-8, Canadian Forces Professional Development's Developmental Periods (DPs), an approximate measure for blocks of career timeframe. Canadian Army Privates (Trained) may be known by other titles, depending on their personnel branch and their regiment's tradition: Other, according to QR&Os, updated 28 Jun, 2019: In
3720-463: The French army, soldat de seconde classe is the lowest military rank. This rank is also referred to as recrue ("recruit"). The name of the lowest rank in the Hungarian army ( Magyar Honvédség ) is the honvéd which means "homeland defender". The word is also used informally for a soldier in general of any rank (i.e. "our honvéds " or an officer referred as a honvédtiszt , honvéd officer). This
3813-689: The Gambia Christian Council for delivery to the Christian community. Jammeh also bankrolled university education for the less privileged both in the Gambia and abroad. Taiwan was once the "financial lifeline" for Jammeh's regime, providing financial support as part of its campaign for international recognition at the United Nations . Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou visited the Gambia during Jammeh's presidency. However, Jammeh later cut ties with Taiwan. On 10 and 11 April 2000,
Yahya Jammeh - Misplaced Pages Continue
3906-577: The Gambian government to produce one journalist who had disappeared. In April 2016, at least 50 people were arrested during a demonstration, and there were fears that Solo Sandeng , an opposition politician, died alongside two others while being held in detention. In July 2016, a Gambian opposition leader and another 18 people were sentenced to three years in jail for participation in the April demonstration. A Gambian diplomat publicly denied that Sandeng had died in custody. On 30 December 2014, gunmen attacked
3999-552: The Gendarmerie command and administration and were brought to the [Military Police] for either investigation or punishment. What actually makes him changed into the biggest violator of the human and civic rights of ordinary Gambian citizens is beyond my comprehension. Capt. Bunja Darboe (rtd) In April 1984, Jammeh joined what was then the Gambian National Gendarmerie as a private . He was part of
4092-538: The Junglers, a paramilitary unit commanded by Jammeh, in the 2005 killings of 50–60 West African migrants, mostly Ghanians , destined for Europe. This corroborates 2018 findings by Human Rights Watch and TRIAL International on the same incident, but contradicts an unpublished UN/ECOWAS report that attributed the killings to rogue security personnel. According to defence and National Intelligence Agency officials who testified to TRRC, these migrants were detained in
4185-898: The New Zealand Army rank of private (PTE) has other titles, depending on the corps and specification of that service member. The following alternative ranks are available for privates in the New Zealand Army: In the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) , Private is the lowest rank for members who wear the army uniform. It is equivalent to an aggregate of NATO codes OR-1 to OR-3, as opposed to any one specific NATO code. Canadian Forces policy dictates three types of promotions in this rank: promotion (substantive), advancement , and granting of acting rank . There are three rank advancements (fr: échelons ) (not to be confused with substantive promotion, though advancement
4278-599: The Newspaper (Amendment) Bill 2004 required newspaper proprietors to purchase expensive operating licenses and forcing them to register their homes as security . A number of individual journalists were also targeted. In December 2004, Deyda Hydara , then editor of The Point , announced his intention to publicly challenge newly-introduced legislation restricting press freedoms. He was shot and killed when driving home in Banjul on 16 December, leading to thousands protesting on
4371-605: The Red Cross and Red Crescent. The Jammeh Foundation for Peace (JFP) was created by Jammeh to help eradicate poverty among Gambians, improve agricultural production, and sponsor educational opportunities for needy students. The foundation has a hospital that is sponsored by the president and provides medical services to the general public. Donations in 2012 included $ 2,563,138 to the National Youths Conference and Festival, and "two truckloads of turkey" to
4464-671: The Special Intervention Unit from 1984 to 1986 and was an escort training instructor at the Gendarmerie Training School from 1986 to 1989. He was promoted to sergeant in April 1986, and to cadet officer in December 1987. A former Gendarmerie officer, Binneh S. Minteh, later claimed that Jammeh "had always singled out Mandinkas as bad people" during his time as a Gendarme. In particular, Minteh recalled Jammeh's "ruthless and disrespectful encounter" with sergeant major Kebba Dibba, and when he "brandished
4557-466: The activities of the press. The Newspaper Act 1994 imposed criminal penalties on private publications that failed to pay a yearly registration fee. The National Media Communication Act 2000 forced journalists to reveal confidential sources to police and the judiciary on demand. In December 2004, the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2004 allowed prison terms for defamation and sedition. The same month,
4650-579: The advent of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU), the slang term "fuzzy" has come into vogue, referring to the blank velcro patch area on the ACU where the rank would normally be placed. The second rank, "private (E-2)" or PV2, wears a single chevron, known colloquially as " mosquito wings". In pay tables, the rank is listed as "private second class." Advancement to PV2 is automatic after six months' time in service, but may be shortened to four months by
4743-657: The air force this is ranked as aviere and in the navy as marinaio . In the Royal Netherlands Army, the Landmacht , the equivalent ranks are soldaat (soldier), similar to the original French, with different classes: Depending on where the soldaat serves, he may be deemed a kanonnier (gunner in the artillery), huzaar (hussar in the cavalry) or fuselier (rifleman in the rifles) as well as commando , jager (hunter) or rijder (rider). A soldaat can be promoted to korporaal ( corporal ). In
SECTION 50
#17327806864674836-662: The alleged witch-hunting campaign had been sparked by the President Yahya Jammeh, who believed that the death of his aunt earlier that year could be attributed to witchcraft. These crimes were influenced by Bissauguinean president João Bernardo Vieira 's assassination on 2 March 2009. Newspaper reports list dozens of individuals who have disappeared after being picked up by men in plain-clothes, and others who have languished under indefinite detention for months or years without charge or trial. The regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court ordered
4929-467: The ban would face a prison sentence of up to three years. After the end of Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr in July 2016, Jammeh further announced a ban on child marriages . In 2016, some 30% of women were married while under the age of 18. Yahya Jammeh's response was that anyone caught marrying a girl under 18 years of age would be jailed for up to twenty years. As President, Jammeh had significant influence over
5022-484: The basic rank is lentosotamies ("airman"). In the Finnish Navy , the basic rank is matruusi ("seaman") or tykkimies ("artilleryman") in the marine infantry. Special corps troopers may be referred by their function or unit, such as kaartinjääkäri (Guards jaeger), panssarijääkäri (armored jaeger), laskuvarjojääkäri (paratroop jaeger), rajajääkäri (border jaeger) or rannikkojääkäri (coastal jaeger). In
5115-466: The contemporary British Armed Forces , the army rank of private is broadly equivalent to able seaman in the Royal Navy , aircraftman , leading aircraftman and senior aircraftman in the Royal Air Force , and marine (Mne) or bandsman, as appropriate equivalent rank in the Royal Marines . In the Boys' Brigade the rank of private is used when a boy moves from the junior section to the company section. Distinctive equivalents for private include: In
5208-563: The country's sole neighbour, Senegal . In 2013, Jammeh withdrew the Gambia from the Commonwealth of Nations and in 2016 he began the process of withdrawing the country from the International Criminal Court , one year after he declared the nation an Islamic republic . All three decisions were later rescinded by successor government, despite Jammeh's supporters arguing that his foreign policy encouraged self-sufficiency and anti-colonialism. Jammeh has been accused of serious human rights violations, such as murder, rape and torture, as highlighted in
5301-467: The deaths and other injuries. The commission also said that five soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Battalion were responsible for the deaths of two students at Brikama . The government stated that the report implicated several PIU officers in the students' deaths and injuries, but those responsible were not prosecuted. Testimony to the Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) between 2019 and 2021 implicated Gambian military officials and
5394-423: The end of two years, conscripts may be demobilized or, if they volunteer, they may be selected to become NCOs. They can also attend a military academy to become officers after passing a test. In effect, the two-year conscription period is a probation period. " In the Armed Forces of the Philippines , the rank of Private is the lowest enlisted personnel rank. It is currently being used by the Philippine Army and
5487-491: The execution orders to Jammeh himself. The Jammeh administration proceeded to cover up the incident from Ghana and ECOWAS. In March 2009 Amnesty International reported that up to 1,000 Gambians had been abducted by government-sponsored " witch doctors " on charges of witchcraft , and taken to government detention centres where they were forced to drink dirty water with poisonous herbs; this left several captives with sequelae . On 21 May 2009, The New York Times reported that
5580-421: The few countries that had a functioning democracy prior to 1989. In the aftermath of the coup, Jammeh governed by decree alongside four other junior officers and several civilians. He banned all political activity, arrested two socialist journalists, and detained several of his Army superiors. He also confined ministers of Jawara's government under house arrest . On 17 October, Jammeh announced that there would be
5673-403: The final report of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission . He is now living in exile in Equatorial Guinea . His assets around the world have been frozen by many countries amidst additional accusations of stealing millions of dollars from his country to fund a life of luxury. Jammeh has denied the allegations against him. Jammeh was born on 25 May 1965 in Kanilai , a village in
SECTION 60
#17327806864675766-417: The first to the new National Assembly put in place by the 1996 constitution, the APRC won a majority of seats. However, these two elections, the first following the transition from military to civil rule, were "marred by provisions of the new, doctored constitution, an electoral commission appointed by Jammeh alone in 1995 and a political network that included the Green Boys – a now-disbanded vigilante group that
5859-487: The following day. President of the Gambia The president of the Republic of The Gambia is the head of state and head of government of the Gambia . The president leads the executive branch of the government of the Gambia and is the commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces . The post was created in 1970, when the Gambia became a republic and has been held by three people: Dawda Jawara , who ruled from 1970 until 1994, Yahya Jammeh , who seized power in
5952-403: The government was accused of the killing of 14 students and a journalist during a student demonstration to protest the death of a student in the Gambia. Jammeh was accused of ordering the shooting of the students, but the government denied the allegations. A government commission of inquiry reportedly concluded that the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers were "largely responsible" for many of
6045-407: The grievers were eligible to be granted AWSE status or pay. In contrast to higher officers, it is quite common for lower ranks to perform duties of ranks one or two ranks above their rank. However, they do not make complaints nor seek compensation for their time in service. They understand and accept that there are already set limits to the number of members in each rank (and trade). AWSE is a mechanism
6138-473: The head" of any gay or lesbian person discovered in the country. News reports indicated his government intended to execute all homosexuals in the country. In a speech given in Tallinding, Jammeh gave a "final ultimatum" to any gays or lesbians in the Gambia, warning them to leave the country. In a speech to the United Nations on 27 September 2013, Jammeh said "[h]omosexuality in all its forms and manifestations which, though very evil, antihuman as well as anti-Allah,
6231-475: The infection of others by those who thought they had been cured by the method. In December 2011, he restated during an interview that the alleged cure for HIV/AIDS was "going very well". Fadzai Gwaradzimba , the country representative of the United Nations Development Programme in the Gambia, was told to leave the country after she expressed doubts about the claims and said the remedy might encourage risky behaviour. In August 2007, Jammeh claimed to have developed
6324-562: The judiciary in the Gambia, particularly because Section 98 of the 1996 constitution permits the President to appoint judges directly. Saine argues that Jammeh's employment of judges mainly from other Commonwealth countries allowed him to effectively issue tough sentences to reduce dissent and to imprison both real and perceived threats to the president's power. On 15 May 2008, Jammeh announced that his government would introduce legislation that would set laws against homosexuals that would be "stricter than those in Iran ", and that he would "cut off
6417-432: The leaders of the CAF organization take advantage of to secure pay they would otherwise not have been able to receive. It is an increasing contentious issue among the lower ranks that the leader of a professional force continues to approve AWSE promotions, as the CDS admitted himself. He claimed that a "new global CF promotion policy" would be in place "soon". This was stated in 2009. The air force rank of Aviator (Avr)
6510-402: The new rank of Corporal is the date of promotion to substantive rank, with simultaneous adjustment to the date of granting of (or "promotion to") the acting rank). As long as all other administrative prerequisites are met and the member has 48 months of qualifying service, one gains acting lacking qualification (literally, lacking the prerequisite QL5 qualification to be considered and respected as
6603-440: The next promotion is to Corporal . In the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China , Privates and Privates First Class are typically conscripted soldiers serving for a two year period; conscripts who volunteer to continue beyond this period may become professional soldiers: " After the end of induction training, conscripts are awarded the rank of private; in their second year they become privates first class. At
6696-571: The peace and stability of the nation [should] be buried six feet deep." In April 2004, Jammeh told journalists to obey his government "or go to hell". In June 2005, he said that he had allowed "too much freedom of expression" in the Gambia. In response to his suppression of the press and media in the Gambia, various online newspapers and radio stations were established by self-exiled Gambian journalists to publicise alleged government atrocities. These include Freedom Newspaper , The Gambia Echo and Gainako . Jammeh also saw through legislation to restrict
6789-463: The rank advancements into independent hierarchical ranks. All persons holding the rank of Private, without holding a simultaneous granting of acting rank, are referred to as such and the qualifier shown in parentheses is used on all official records. Contemporary practice for medical and other administrative records write Acting Lacking ranks as if they were substantive, for shorthand purposes. Granting of acting rank while so employed (AWSE or A/WSE)
6882-399: The rank designation changes. In the artillery, the rank is known as gunner (Gnr), but usually only after the completion of a gunners' course, and in the cavalry it is known as trooper (Tpr). Communications and Information Services privates are known as signalman or signalwoman . Medical orderlies are sometimes referred to as medic, although this can apply to privates and corporals . In
6975-539: The rank of Lance Corporal (LCP). The PFC rank is rarely awarded today by the Singapore Armed Forces. All private enlistees can be promoted directly to lance corporal should they meet the minimum qualifying requirements, conduct appraisal and work performance. Recruits who did not complete BMT but completed two years of National Service will be promoted to private. In the Australian Army ,
7068-519: The rank of colonel and then retired from the army on 6 September, one month before the 1996 presidential election. Jammeh won the 1996 presidential election as the APRC candidate, winning 56% of the vote and beating Ousainou Darboe , Hamat Bah and Sidia Jatta . Darboe was forced to seek refuge in the Senegalese embassy in Banjul, fearing an assassination plot. In the 1997 parliamentary election ,
7161-435: The realm of precedence after precedence of grievance decisions without ratification into official military policy. Contemporary grievance matters have shifted away from theatre-only matters, as outlined in the career policy, and towards attempting to secure an AWSE temporary rank where the commissioned officer's work period in question, during which there was claimed higher-rank duties, did not occur in-theatre. The Chief of
7254-880: The rebels in the Casamance conflict , by engaging in the trade of illegal drugs, small arms, and also money-laundering with the rebel groups. Shortly after the outbreak of the Guinea-Bissau Civil War in June 1998, Jammeh sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He personally canvassed regional opinion on the war in Cape Verde , Mauritania , Guinea and Senegal. He also sent Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe , his foreign minister, to meet with rebel leader Ansumane Mané to attempt to arrange peace talks in Banjul, though these efforts were fruitless. According to The Daily Observer , on 10 December 2012, Jammeh secured
7347-570: The release of Senegalese soldiers who had been held as hostages by rebels. He sent a delegation to meet with Senegalese president Macky Sall in early December 2012. The delegation's goal was to discuss a resolution to the ongoing civil unrest in Senegal's southern region of Casamance. Members of the delegation included the Minister of Presidential Affairs, the US ambassador to the Gambia, and members from
7440-591: The same pay as a Private (Trained) and a Private (Basic) who has served for 2 years, as pay increments are maxed out after 2 years, ever since the CAF eliminated the Basic and Recruit pay columns for the Private rank from fiscal year 1992 to 1998. Because of the complicated and outdated organizational rank structure of the CAF, the majority of members across the ranks are not aware of the rules and, consequently, do not follow them. No published discussion has been made on separating
7533-615: The simplified version of the Royal Military Academy's coat of arms for candidate officers. The Finnish equivalent rank is sotamies (literally "war man"), although since 1973 this has been purely a paper term as all infantry troopers were renamed as jääkäri troops, previously reserved only to mobile light infantry. As in the British army, the various branches use different names: In the Finnish Air Force ,
7626-559: The specific grade of private is immaterial (such as in tables of organization and equipment ). In the United States Marine Corps , private (Pvt) refers only to the lowest enlisted rank , also known as a "boot", just below private first class . A Marine Corps private wears no uniform insignia and is sometimes described as having a "slick sleeve" for this reason. Most new, non-officer marines (a.k.a. "boots" or "non-rates") begin their military career as privates. In
7719-410: The streets. Some pointed at the government, led by Jammeh, as the murderers, but it has remained unsolved. Furthermore, in July 2006, Ebrima Manneh of The Daily Observer was arrested by state security after attempting to publish a BBC report critical of Jammeh. His arrest was witnessed by his coworkers, and, despite being ordered to release Manneh by an ECOWAS court, the government denied that Manneh
7812-786: The term "private soldier". "Private" comes from the Latin word privus or perhaps privo that meant an individual person and later an individual without an office . In Indonesia , this rank is referred to as Tamtama (specifically Prajurit which means soldier), which is the lowest rank in the Indonesian National Armed Forces . In the Indonesian Army , Indonesian Marine Corps , and Indonesian Air Force , "Private" has three levels, which are: Private ( Prajurit Dua ), Private First Class ( Prajurit Satu ), and Chief Private ( Prajurit Kepala ). After this rank,
7905-417: The town of Barra on 22 July 2005, and then tortured in various detention centers around Banjul. The bodies of eight of the migrants were found near Ghana Town the following day, while two people escaped but disappeared on 24 July. The 40–45 survivors were summarily executed in Senegal, across the southern border from Jammeh's hometown of Kanilai, except for one survivor. Ex-Junglers who testified attributed
7998-769: Was born in Kanilai , in West Coast Region of the Gambia , and is a Muslim of the Jola ethnic group . He attended Gambia High School in Banjul from 1978 to 1983 and served in the Gambian National Gendarmerie from 1984 to 1989. He was then commissioned as an officer of the Gambian National Army , commanding the Military Police from 1992 to 1994. In July 1994, he came to power by leading
8091-470: Was elected as president in September 1996. Foreign observers did not deem these elections free and fair. He was re-elected on 18 October 2001 with about 53% of the vote; this election was generally deemed free and fair by observers, despite some very serious shortcomings ranging from overt government intimidation of voters to technical innovations (such as raising the required deposit to stand for election by
8184-727: Was formerly called "Private", but this changed in the fiscal year of 2015, when the traditional air force rank insignia and title were replaced in favour of a new rank title the Minister of National Defence introduced back in September 2014, as part of the Government of Canada's efforts in delineating "distinctive service cultures". Up to 2020, the navy equivalent for Private (Recruit) was Ordinary Seaman (Recruit) (OS (R)); for Private (Basic), Ordinary Seaman (Basic) (OS (B)); and, for Private (Trained), Able Seaman (AB). On 4 September 2020, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) announced new English rank designations for its junior ranks, claiming that
8277-523: Was mobilised to intimidate the electorate to ensure Jammeh’s ‘victory’." Saine argues that this combination of intimidation and harassment of the opposition, an inherent bias provided by the 1996 constitution, as well as a distinct financial advantage, meant that "the presidential and national assembly elections were lost long before the first ballot was cast." Jammeh founded the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction as his political party. He
8370-454: Was published in March 1996 was put to a national referendum on 8 August 1996. The new constitution, which provided for multiparty elections, an unlimited number of five-year presidential terms, and a lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18, was approved by a majority of 70%. According to Gambian American author Abdoulaye Saine , Jammeh would "[enjoy] unrivalled political and economic power as
8463-507: Was reportedly Mustapha James Kujabi. He attended Kanilai primary school, Saint Edwards primary school in Bwiam , from 1972 to 1978. After passing the common entrance (CE) exam, he was awarded a government scholarship to Gambia High School in Banjul , in 1978. His formal education ended after he was successful in his O Levels in 1983. In those days, he used to defend the rights of many Gendarmes who for one reason or another had felt apart with
8556-560: Was still imprisoned. An unnamed police source said that he believed Manneh "is no longer alive". Both Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists have called for his release. In 1999, Jammeh called those who campaigned against female genital mutilation (FGM) "enemies of Islam". In December 2015, Jammeh banned FGM in the Gambia, labelling the practice as having "no place in Islam or in modern society"; anyone that ignored
8649-791: Was the OC of the Gambia National Army Military Police. On 1 February 1992, he had been promoted to lieutenant. Jammeh was the head of security detail attached to Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Gambia in February 1992. He attended the Military Police Officers Basic Course (MPOBC) at Fort McClellan in the United States from September 1993 to January 1994. Jammeh was one of the four junior Army officers who organised
#466533