The Gambia: Information on the situation prevailing in the country subsequent to the coup d'etat of July 1994 and on the tribe(s) of the members of government
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GMB19605.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, The Gambia: Information on the situation prevailing in the country subsequent to the coup d'etat of July 1994 and on the tribe(s) of the members of government, 1 February 1995, GMB19605.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab66a0.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An article published in the West Africa magazine of 12-18 December 1994 states that,
following the coup, several countries advised their tourists desist from visiting the country. The US, Europe and Japan have cut aid, while the military coup has elicited unanimous condemnation from human rights organizations (2127).
Reportedly this warning has had a negative impact on the Gambia's "most crucial industry," tourism (ibid., 9-15 Jan. 1995, 11). Travel advice from the British Foreign Office and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned travellers to the Gambia that the political situation in the country was uncertain and could escalate quickly into violence (ibid.).
Contrary to assurances made by the new government to return the country to civilian rule, and uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights, the new government banned political parties, suspended parts of the Constitution, and issued a Politcal Activities (Suspension Decree, which was used to prosecute two journalists from an opposition politcal party newsletter (ibid., 5-11 Dec. 1994). There have been several incidents of human rights violations, and the transition program, which would return the country to democratic rule, has been postponed until 1998 (ibid., 26 Dec. 1994 - 8 Jan. 1995, 2196; 5-11 Dec. 1994, 2085).
A bloody abortive coup d'etat masterminded by disgruntled senior military officers was reported on 10 November (ibid., 21-27 Nov. 1994). For additional information on the above-named subjects, please refer to the attached documents.
Information on the tribe(s) of the new government members could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the list of sources consulted in researching this information request.
References
West Africa [London]. 9-15 January 1995. "The Gambia: Tourism at Risk."
_____. 26 December 1994-8 January 1995. "The Gambia: The Year of Jammeh."
_____. 12-18 December 1994. "The Gambia: Army May Leave Earlier."
_____. 5-11 December 1994. "The Gambia: Human Rights Abuses."
_____. 21-27 November 1994. "The Gambia: Abortive Coup."
Attachments
West Africa [London]. 9-15 January 1995. "The Gambia: Tourism at Risk," 10-11.
_____. 26 December 1994-8 January 1995. "The Gambia: The Year of Jammeh," 2196-97.
_____. 12-18 December 1994. "The Gambia: Army May Leave Earlier," p.2127.
_____. 5-11 December 1994. "The Gambia: Human Rights Abuses," p. 2085.
_____. 21-27 November 1994. "The Gambia: Abortive Coup," 2001.
Sources Consulted
Afrique/Asie [Paris].
Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly.
Africa Events [London]. Monthly.
Africa News [Durham, NC]. Bi-monthly.
Africa Report [New York]. Bi-monthly.
Africa Research Bulletin: Political Series [London]. Monthly.
L'Afrique contemporaine [Paris]. Quarterly.
Human Rights in Africa. 1990. Washington: Brookings Institute.
Jeune Afrique [Paris]. Weekly.
New African [London]. Monthly.
News from Africa Watch [New York]. Monthly.
West Africa [London]. Weekly.
