Bibliography of Gambian Related Publications

Second Republic

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Title: Gambia's Young Gun
Date: 1997
Source: Focus on Africa (BBC), January-March 1997, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 20-23.
Author(s): Slatter, Mike
Abstract: An interview with President Yahya Jammeh after his election.
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Title: Getting away with it: the Gambia.(coup d'etat)
Date: 1996
Source: The Economist; Sept 21 1996, v340, n7984, p45(1)
Author(s):
Abstract: Gambian Army Lt Yahya Jammeh led the coup that overthrew the democratic government of Gambia, a country that has been a multi-party democracy for nearly three decades. Western democracy promoters had promised to uphold democracy in Africa, but they did nothing about the coup.
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Title: Military ruler in Gambia defeats rivals in election. (Yahya Jammeh is elected president)
Date: 1996
Source: The New York Times; Sept 28 1996, v145, p7(N) p7(L), col 1
Author(s): French, Howard W.
Abstract:
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Title: The Gambia : Tin soldiers.
Date: 1996
Source: Economist; Jan 20, 1996, v338n7949, p. 44; UK 62 (1 pages)
Author(s):
Abstract: The Gambia, once a model democracy and haven of stability, is now run by a gang of young soldiers.
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Title: Wave of strongmen make West Africa their oyster. (in Gambia, Nigeria, Chad, and Niger leaders change the constitution to favor the incumbent head of state) (International Pages)
Date: 1996
Source: The New York Times; Oct 24 1996, v145, pA4(N) pA5(L), col 1
Author(s): French, Howard W.
Abstract:
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Title: Back to square one.
Date: 1995
Source: African Business; Mar 1995, n197, p. 17 (1 pages)
Author(s): Scudder, Brian.
Abstract: The National Consultative Committee report on the future of Gambian democracy was given to the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) on January 27. It contained recommendations garnered from the Gambian people and the international donor community, and was put together by 21 independently minded Gambians. If accepted by the AFPRC, it was hoped that the report would break the impasse between the military and international aid donors, who have starved The Gambia of aid and tourists in a bid to force a swift return to the democratic process. But although accepted in part, its most important provision - an immediate return to civilian rule - has been rejected out of hand. A response that has brought The Gambia back to where it started - an unstable political future, and a slow and painful economic decline.
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Title: Far-reaching censorship powers.(Gambia)
Date: 1995
Source: IPI Report; March-April 1995, v44, n3-4, p44(2)
Author(s):
Abstract: Gambia's military government has unlimited powers of censorship. A government decree states that a newspaper cannot mention a national leader, past or present either in writing or in photographs. Journalists have been charged for disregarding the order. The only Gambian publication related to a political party, the People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism, 'Foroyaa' has become a victim of the military government. The directors of 'Foroyaa,' Halifa Sallah and Sidia Jatta, have opposed the order of ban because it is incompatible with democracy.
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Title: Military wage war on journalists.(Gambia)
Date: 1995
Source: IPI Report; March-April 1995, v44, n3-4, p43(2)
Author(s): Puri, Shamlal
Abstract: A bunch of young Gambian Army officers who toppled the government of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara on July 22, 1994 are fighting a battle against forces opposed to them, which includes the press. The military regime run by Yahya Jammeh is trying to run administration by decree, arbitrary arrests and threats, and it has now targetted the press in Gambia. The most recent victim of the military regime's tirade is Gambia's only daily independent newspaper the 'Daily Observer.' 'Daily Observer' owner and publisher Kenneth Y. Best was arrested and forcibly deported.
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Title: Reality hits home.
Date: 1995
Source: African Business; Feb 1995, n196, p. 18-20 (3 pages)
Author(s): Scudder, Brian.
Abstract: Almost every penny of aid to the Gambia has been withdrawn since the July 22, 1994, coup because Western donors are angry that the Gambia no longer conforms to their cherished models of development. With the utter collapse of the Gambian economy at stake, the coup leaders have found themselves in a situation they could not have dreamed of before July 1994. Having "rescued" the Gambia from the clutches of a deeply corrupt elite who have skimmed off a great deal of the country's cream over the last 30 years, the military is now in danger of doing even more damage to the economy than their predecessors. The question is whether the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) will be able to bring itself to save the Gambia a 2nd time by stepping down in favor of a civilian transitional government, so that aid can flow once more. There is one ray of hope which lies in a compromise. The idea being proposed to the AFPRC and the donor community is of a shorter period for a handover of power to civilians - probably between one and a half and 2 years - but with the AFPRC being allowed to take a back seat to watch over proceedings.
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Title: Troops take liberties in Freetown. (military rule in Sierra Leone and The Gambia) by Chris Mcgreal
Date: 1995
Source: The Guardian; March 4 1995, p16(1)
Author(s): McGreal, Chris
Abstract: Popular support for the military coup that overthrew Gambian Pres. Sir Dawda Jawala in Jul. 1994, is increasing as the extent of corruption that existed under the former regime is uncovered, but corruption by Sierra Leone's military leaders has eroded people's confidence in the government. While The Gambia's head of state, army Captain Yahya Jammeh, has adapted his policies to the wishes of Gambians, the military government in Sierra Leone is accused of profiteering. Many in the Sierra Leone army are deserting and either joining the rebel Revolutionary United Front or forming their own bandit groups.
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Title: Gambia coup still a mystery.
Date: 1994
Source: New Statesman & Society; Sept 9 1994, v7, n319, p11(1)
Author(s): Fitzgerald, Patrick
Abstract: The bloodless coup which ousted longtime elected Pres Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara did not seem to be much of a surprise to the US and Nigeria. It began as a dispute over back pay for soldiers serving in the regional West African multinational peacekeeping force in Liberia.
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Title: Gambia. (freedom of press)
Date: 1994
Source: IPI Report; Dec 1994, v43, n12, p29(1)
Author(s):
Abstract: Freedom of the press has been curtailed and several editors and journalists have been imprisoned or deported by the military government of Lieutenant Yaya Jammeh in Gambia. Kenneth Best, one of Africa's most courageous and respected journalists, who also owns Daily Newspaper, was deported in Oct 1994 for criticizing the military heads of Africa in foreign newspapers. Journalists have been assaulted and put behind bars, and any speculation in the media regarding political conduct of the rulers is banned.
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Title: In Gambia, a new coup follows an old pattern; Africa's latest military overthrow has many people fearing the worst.
Date: 1994
Source: The New York Times; August 28 1994, v143, p4(N) p4(L), col 3
Author(s): French, Howard W.
Abstract:
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Title: Soldiers take power in bloodless coup. (Gambia) (includes related articles)
Date: 1994
Source: Facts on File; Sept 8 1994, v54, n2806, p644(1)
Author(s):
Abstract: Gambian Pres Dawda Jawara was ousted in a military coup on Jul 22, 1994. The coup was led by Yahya Jammeh who established a five member ruling council. The military suspended the constitution and imposed a curfew, but vowed to institute democracy soon.
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Title: The Gambia : Hungry young lions?
Date: 1994
Source: African Business; Oct 1994, n192, p. 35-36 (2 pages)
Author(s): Versi, Anver.
Abstract: It now appears that the July 22, 1994, coup in The Gambia, which at first sight appeared spontaneous, was in fact premeditated. The tiny west African country's new and astonishingly young rulers have been gradually opening up to the media and displaying an equally surprising articulateness. The Chairman of the Ruling Council, Yaya Jammeh, was still insisting that the plan to oust Jawda Jawara, who had ruled The Gambia for 29 years, had been hatched over 24 hours. However, evidence suggests that the coup had been planned beforehand but that the young soldiers had waited for the former leader to return before springing. The new regime went to great lengths to explain that they had been forced to take action because of rampant corruption. Jammeh assured all the former politicians that they were free to return to The Gambia and live like ordinary citizens. He assured the public that the new rulers would not kill anyone, and that they were open to accept ideas and criticism.
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Title: Who dares wins ... the presidency. by G. Boycott
Date: 1994
Source: African Business; Sept 1994, n191, p40(1)
Author(s): Boycott, G.
Abstract: An unknown 29-year-old Yayah Jammeh successfully took over as head of state of Gambia, after staging a bloodless coup against the government of long-time president Dawda Jawara. Jammeh led a group of soldiers who were protesting their non-payment for service to the Ecomog force in Liberia. Jawara failed to negotiate with the coup leaders, and was compelled to flee the tiny West African state for Senegal.
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