Former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh has declared a general pardon for all individuals previously expelled from his faction of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC).
In an audio message released on Friday, Jammeh said the decision was aimed at fostering unity within the party as he renews his promise to return home from exile.
โI have pardoned all those who were expelled on my instructions. Those who resigned, I am not responsible for that. I didnโt kick anyone out of the party,โ Jammeh said.
He added that the party remains open to anyone wishing to return, but warned that indiscipline and personal attacks would not be tolerated.
โThe door is open for anyone who wants to come back. But insulting peopleโs mums or insulting each other is not acceptable in the APRC. I am not going to condone it,โ he said.
โI am giving everybody a chance, but that doesnโt mean we should be accusing each other falsely. If I pardon someone today and you insult tomorrow, youโre going home permanently. We donโt want people that use satanic language.โ
The former president also cautioned that those who left voluntarily should not expect to regain their previous positions in the party.
โLet it be clear that if you had a position before and you were expelled, donโt expect to get it back,โ he said.
โFrom now on, the party is not about who sits in the executive. Itโs about the number of people you mobilise and bring to the APRC. If you have nobody behind you, donโt expect to lead.โ
Jammeh, who has been living in exile in Equatorial Guinea since 2017, continues to address his supporters through periodic audio messages, maintaining influence over a loyal base within the APRC.
