Gambia

The government of Gambia’s new president, Adama Barrow, took steps to reverse the abusive legacy of former president Yahya Jammeh, who left Gambia for exile in January 2017 under pressure from the regional body ECOWAS. Barrow’s new government released scores of political prisoners, ended the Jammeh-era repression of Gambian journalists and activists, and took steps to strengthen the judiciary and reform the security services. The new government also reversed the planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court and established a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission to document human rights abuses committed during Jammeh’s 22 years in power.