On the Brink
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Yahya Jammeh
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies Gambia had only 800 Armed Forces personnel as at 31st December 2014. It is estimated that that number has grown to 1,000 as at end of 2016.
Nigeria gave military assistance – training, arms, logistics to Gambia. In fact, Brig General Joshua Dogonyaro was at a point the Commander-in-chief Gambia Armed Forces during the reign of Sir Dauda Jawara.
Yahya Jammeh, then a Leutenant, toppled Dauda Jawara in a military coup on 22nd April 1994. The joke in Africa then was that Nigerian had taught the Gambian Armed Forces how to organize coup.
President Yahya Jammeh is hinging his hopes on the Armed Forces of 1,000 strong personnel, and perhaps some foreign backers, to rebuff ECOWAS intervention force.
ECOWAS has deployed troops to Gambia to force Jammeh out. Can he withstand ECOWAS onslaught? What is making this man tick?
Jammeh lost Gambia's presidential election held on 1 December 2016 to opposition candidate Adama Barrow. He initially conceded but surprisingly reneged days later. Since then he has refused to vacate office despite pleadings from ECOWAS to honour the election result.
Meanwhile, a gale of resignations has hit the Jammah government, the latest being his Foreign Minister.
