Yahya Abdul-Azziz Jemus Junkung Diliu Jammeh was the President of Gambia in 1997. He became leader of the country in a military coup on 1994 July 22, and after elections 2 years later was made president on 1996 October 16 as leader of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party. Initially, many previous politicians were banned from political office, but these restrictions have since been relaxed. Yahya Jammeh has continued to retain office, getting re-elected in 2001, 2006, and 2011.