One week after conceding defeat to opposition
leader, Adama Barrow, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh on Friday, in a televised
address to the country said he rejected the outcome of the election and called
for fresh election conducted by a “God-fearing and independent electoral
commission.”
Mr. Jammeh who has ruled the country for 22 years, by the
announcement, has cast a shadow over the future of the small West African
country after his televised phone call conceding defeat to the opposition
leader led to wild celebration in major cities in the country and was hailed
across the world.
“After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject
the outcome of the recent election. I lament serious and unacceptable
abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process,”
Mr. Jammeh said.
“I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will
be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission,” he said.
The announcement cast an air of uncertainty around the
capital of the country Banjul as people stayed indoors following Mr Jammeh’s
threat to deal severely with protesters.
The head of the country’s army, Ousman Badjie, told Mr
Barrow to pledge allegiance to Mr. Jammeh, the spokesperson of the opposition
said.
The army has shown unshaken loyalty to Mr. Jammeh during
the 22 years of his rule, which human rights groups said was characterised by
torture, political detention and extra-judicial killings.
Analysts expect Mr. Jammeh, who is widely known for being
erratic, to take decisions that may affect the safety of Mr. Barrow; but
opposition spokesperson said the president-elect is fine.
“We are consulting on what to do, but as far
as we are concerned, the people have voted,” Mai Ahmad Fatty told Reuters. “We
will maintain peace and stability and not let anyone provoke us into violence.”
The electoral commission initially gave Mr.Barrow 45.5
percent of the vote against Jammeh’s 36.7 percent but later reviewed the result
giving Mr Barrow a slimmer victory of 43.3 percent with less than 20,000 votes
over the incumbent.
Early in the week, leaders of the opposition party had
threatened to stop Mr Jammeh from leaving the country after he hands over. They
suggested that he might be imprisoned for the alleged human rights violations
committed during his long tenure.
Analysts believed the threat of imprisonment might have
forced Mr. Jammeh to rescind his earlier decision conceding defeat.
International reactions
In a swift reaction to the announcement, neighbouring
Senegal called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Senegal is
currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
The country’s foreign minister, Mankeur Ndiaye, in a
televised address called on Jammeh to respect the wishes of the electorate and
not to do anything to harm the interest of the country or its citizens in the
Gambia.
Similarly, the United States Department of States has
released a statement warning Mr. Jammeh to ensure smooth and peaceful
transition of power.
Describing Mr. Jammeh’s televised statement as
“reprehensible and unacceptable breach of faith with the people of Gambia”, the
U.S. government called on Mr Jammeh to carry out an orderly transition of power
to Mr. Barrow in accordance with the constitution of the country.
“The people have spoken and it is time for the Gambia to
come together to ensure a peaceful transition to President-elect Barrow,” the
statement read.
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