Senior Gambian official quits over Jammeh coalition

A close ally and senior figure in Gambian President Adama Barrow’s government has quit in protest over a new alliance between the president’s party and that of former long-serving leader Yahya Jammeh.

Mr Barrow defeated the former president in the 2016 elections, who initially refused to step down but then fled the country after a month-long stand-off.

A commission of inquiry into crimes committed during Mr Jammeh’s presidency is due to report its findings to President Barrow this month.

The ex-president has faced numerous charges of rape, as well as other crimes including torture, murder and arbitrary arrests.

“It is my firm belief that this particular alliance undermines the integrity of your government and jeopardises everything I stood for as a journalist,” said Mr Barrow’s former communications adviser Fatou Jaw Manneh when announcing her resignation.

Human rights groups are calling the alliance a betrayal, and fear that the government may be unwilling to prosecute Mr Jammeh despite the atrocities reportedly committed during his years in power.

The alliance has been formed three months ahead of presidential elections in which Mr Barrow is running for a second term.

BBC/Emmanuel Ukoh