Yahya Jammeh, Gambia’s former leader, ruled the tiny West African country with an iron fist for 22 years after seizing power in a 1994 military coup. His regime was marked by widespread human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings. Despite being voted out in 2016 and soon exiled to Equatorial Guinea after refusing to accept the election results, his legacy continues to haunt Gambia as victims and their families wait for elusive justice and reparations.

This audio documentary, “Portrait of Jammeh,” sheds light on the long-lasting scars left by his dictatorship. The documentary takes listeners to Kanilai, Jammeh’s hometown, where, despite his brutal legacy, many people still revere him. Survivors and families of victims recount chilling experiences, including mass executions carried out by Jammeh’s notorious death squad, the Junglers.

The country’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), established in 2018, documented these atrocities and recommended justice for victims. However, the Gambian government’s slow response has left many victims frustrated. While some financial reparations have been allocated, those who suffered from the regime argue that true justice remains elusive, with Jammeh still exiled and many perpetrators unpunished.

The documentary also highlights the broader injustices of Jammeh’s rule. His wealth, amassed through corruption, was meant to fund reparations but has largely disappeared without accountability. Many survivors remain in dire conditions, struggling with health issues resulting from their harsh treatment.

As Gambia, a country of 2.7 million, approaches a presidential election in 2026, there are growing concerns that promises of justice will still be sidelined. The fight for accountability remains a central demand of many Gambians, highlighting the need for international support to ensure that Jammeh and his enablers finally face justice.