Experiences of individual and collective stigma resulting from the 2008–9 witch-hunts carried out by the Gambian dictatorship: implications for transitional justice

Finlay, WML, Kellezi, B ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4825-3624, Ciesay, PY, Kantara, F, Njie, E, Sannoh, M, Lambie, H and Jones, T ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4006-4714, 2025. Experiences of individual and collective stigma resulting from the 2008–9 witch-hunts carried out by the Gambian dictatorship: implications for transitional justice. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 35 (4): e70147. ISSN 1052-9284

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Abstract

Yahya Jammeh's 22-year rule of The Gambia was marked by gross human rights violations, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances. In 2008–09, Jammeh embarked on a “witch hunt” campaign, mostly targeting poor and elderly men and women. Among the physical and psychological consequences of this activity were significant levels of stigma. In the context of transitional justice, this paper examines the experiences and consequences of stigma associated with witchcraft accusations for victims, their families, and communities. This mixed-method study found evidence of social rejection, isolation, and negative effects on mental health. Families suffered social exclusion, bullying, and loss of educational opportunities. Whole communities also experienced social divisions and a loss of reputation. While some of these had improved over time, problems persisted 13 years later. Participants made a range of suggestions for reconciliation, including public declarations of innocence, making witchcraft accusations illegal, and both external and community-led interventions to tackle stigma. Please refer to the Supporting Information section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology
Creators:	Finlay, W.M.L., Kellezi, B., Ciesay, P.Y., Kantara, F., Njie, E., Sannoh, M., Lambie, H. and Jones, T.
Publisher:	Wiley
Date:	2025
Volume:	35
Number:	4
ISSN:	1052-9284
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1002/casp.70147 DOI 2476462 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Borcherds
Date Added:	30 Jul 2025 14:11
Last Modified:	30 Jul 2025 14:11
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/54075

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