Gambia: ECOWAS, AU, UN condemn Jammeh’s poll rejection

The ECOWAS Commission, the African Union Commission and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) have condemned Yahyah Jammeh’s rejection of the Gambian presidential election results announced last week. Jammeh, who has ruled the West African nation for 22 years, lost the election to a property developer, Adama Barrow, who won […]

The ECOWAS Commission, the African Union Commission and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) have condemned Yahyah Jammeh’s rejection of the Gambian presidential election results announced last week.

Jammeh, who has ruled the West African nation for 22 years, lost the election to a property developer, Adama Barrow, who won more than 45% of the vote.

It would be recalled that Jammeh initially conceded defeat.

ECOWAS, AU and UNOWAS, in a statement, called on the Gambian leader to abide by the country’s constitutional responsibilities and international obligations.

“It is fundamental that the verdict of the ballots should be respected, and that the security of the president-elect Adama Barrow, and that of all Gambian citizen be fully ensured,” the statement said.

“ECOWAS, the AU and the UN strongly support the stand of the Senegalese Government on the issue with regards to calling an emergency meeting of the UNSC and urge relevant Gambian stakeholders to contribute to a peaceful transition and orderly handing over of power from the outgoing administration to the President-elect within constitutional deadlines, in accordance with the Gambian electoral laws,” it added.

The statement urged all Gambian stakeholders including the elected leadership, the armed forces, political parties and Civil Society Organisations to reject violence and peacefully uphold the will of the people as clearly expressed through the ballot box.

They also called upon the Gambian Defence and Security forces to live up to their republican duties.

“ECOWAS, the AU and the UN stand in solidarity with the people of The Gambia whom they once again commend for the maturity demonstrated throughout the electoral process and commit to continue monitoring developments in The Gambia.”