Posted by By Bekai Njie
The Ministry of Justice says it has learnt with great appreciation the news from the State Department of the United States that the former President Yahya Jammeh and his family have been banned from entering the United States as a result of the latter`s involvement in significant corruption and gross violation of human rights.
“This decision is in line with the commitment of the Gambia Government to combat corruption and ensure accountability for gross human rights abuses. Accordingly, we are grateful for the solidarity of the Government of the United States in our transition towards good governance and respect for human rights. The Ministry of Justice will continue to collaborate with the United States Government on all matters of mutual interest.”
The US State Department announced on Monday that it is publicly designating Gambia’s former president Yahya Jammeh, under the terms of Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2018, due to his
involvement in significant corruption.
The Department states that Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign government officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.
The law requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members. In addition to the designation of Yahya Jammeh, the Department is also publicly designating Jammeh’s spouse, Zineb Yahya Jammeh, his daughter, Mariam Jammeh, and his son, Muhammad Yahya Jammeh.
The United States is committed to combating corruption, increasing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and promoting good governance globally. The United States stands with the government of The Gambia, its people, and civil society in support of The Gambia’s accountability, and democratic governance, for the benefit of all Gambians.