A common argument in African politics is that voters often back candidates from their ethnic groups because they perceive economic benefits from having leaders of their ethnicity in power (Porsner, 2010). If this argument were valid, for example, Yahya Jammeh, who belongs to the Jola ethnic group—a minority in The Gambia—was expected to benefit his community significantly during his 22-year rule. Indeed, many individuals identifying as Jola held key positions in Jammeh’s administration, ranging from ministerial roles to high-level bureaucratic posts to lower-level positions. Some have suggested that Jammeh’s leadership enabled numerous Jola, who had been marginalized by previous governments, to attain prominent roles that might not otherwise have been accessible. However, it is also crucial to recognize that many members of the Jola community, including some of Jammeh’s relatives, suffered severe human rights abuses during his time in power. This complex duality underscores the multifaceted nature of Jammeh’s impact on the Jola ethnic group.