Former Gambian officials said that presidential aides regularly pressured women to visit or work for Jammeh, who then sexually abused many of them. Jammeh is currently in Equatorial Guinea, where he sought exile after losing the presidential election to Adama Barrow. The TRRC and the Gambian government should ensure that allegations of rape and sexual violence by Jammeh and other former top officials are fully investigated, and, if warranted, prosecuted. Banjul, Gambia, December 24, Jallow alleges that Jammeh raped her after she refused his advances.
The organizations also interviewed eight former Gambian officials and several other witnesses. The officials, who said they have direct knowledge of the events, include two men who worked for the Protocol Department at State House the presidential palace ; four close protection officers for Jammeh or at State House; a woman who worked at State House; and a former National Intelligence Agency senior official.
The officials and two of the women requested anonymity. Fatou Jallow known as Toufah , who alleged that Jammeh raped her in , asked that her name be disclosed because she wished to come forward publicly. Those interviewed made detailed allegations against the former president, saying that he forced or coerced young women into having sex with him.
As president, Jammeh crafted a religious persona, preaching sermons and claiming to cure HIV and heal the sick. The three women who made the allegations against Jammeh described coercive, deceptive, and violent actions by Jammeh and his aides, and retaliation if the women refused his advances.
He asked her to marry him, which she also refused. Days later, she fled to neighboring Senegal. Sometimes the women carried out official functions such as serving drinks, typing, and preparing meetings, but mostly they were on call to have sex with the president.
