Whither ‘Never Again’

In 2017, The Gambia cast off the shackles of Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year tyranny, embracing a new dawn of democracy under the resolute mantra of “Never Again.” This pledge promised an end to authoritarian excesses, with commitments to constitutional reform, justice for victims, and safeguards against power abuses. Yet, nine years on, the nation’s progress teeters on the brink of reversal.

President Adama Barrow, once hailed as a transitional leader, now maneuvers to extend his rule through constitutional loopholes, echoing the very despotism Gambians rejected. The failure to adopt a new constitution, coupled with surging corruption and stifled civic freedoms, exposes a deepening democratic erosion, where elite entrenchment trumps genuine reform.

This backsliding betrays the spirit of “Never Again,” leaving unhealed wounds from Jammeh’s atrocities as the TRRC recommendations languish in partial implementation. Impunity persists, victims wait in vain for justice, and institutional trust frays under bureaucratic delays.

The Gambia’s plight mirrors broader African struggles, but hope endures in civil society’s vigilance and international pressure. To reclaim the promise of 2017, Gambians must demand swift accountability, inclusive reforms, and unyielding term limits lest “Never Again” dissolve into a hollow echo, inviting the cycle of repression to return.

EFSCRJ reminds Pres. Barrow and the Gambia Government of their promises and commitments encapsulated in the 2016 MoU and Manifesto as well as in several policy statements including the State of the Nation addresses.

2025 – The Year of Transparency and Accountability