Gambia president again refuses to step down
Incumbent Gambian president Yahya Jammeh (C) gestures before casting his marble in a polling station in a presidential poll, in Banjul on December 01, 2016. The first of some 880,000 eligible voters headed to polling stations despite an internet blackout imposed overnight in a nation long accused by rights groups of suppressing freedom of expression. The Gambia’s unique voting system, which sees citizens vote by dropping a marble into a coloured drum for their candidate, could not be rigged, he added, meaning “there is no reason for anybody to protest.”<br />/ AFP PHOTO / MARCO LONGARI
Defeated Gambian President Yahya Jammeh insisted Wednesday he would not leave office at the end of his mandate in January until a court rules on his challenge to the outcome of this month’s election.
Jammeh, who has been in power in the west African country for 22 years, has rejected the victory of opposition candidate Adama Barrow in the December 1 vote.
“Unless the court decides the case, there will be no inauguration (of Barrow) on the 19 January,” said Jammeh, who had initially conceded defeat but then lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court to overturn the result.
“What we are asking for is not for the IEC (Independent Election Commission) to declare me the winner, I cannot do that,” he said in a lengthy television address.
“Justice must be done and the only way justice can be done is to reorganise the election so that every Gambian votes. That’s the only way we can resolve the matter peacefully and fairly.”
He also took aim at the regional ECOWAS bloc which has called on Jammeh to accept the results, saying: “My rights cannot be violated and intimidated to a point where I succumb to blackmail.”
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5 Comments
He will soon realized how lonely it is when the world turns against you…..Ask Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast his experience greedy idiot.
Typical African man. 22 years is not enough as president. What is it, you cannot do in 22 years that you want to remain in office to do at the expense of the people.
he will die like Ghadaffi. tyrants die the same way
This is one of the effects of Buhari’s persecution of opposition in Nigeria although many may not read through this. Which African leader would relinquish power easily considering the vengance with which Buhari has persecuted his opponents since he rode to power on a peaceful platter? This is not an endorsement of corruption but a call for leadership, fairness and patriotism in governance. The key here for Jammeh is “FEAR”. How can he be reassured so that the region is not plunged into war?
Na wah for some Jonathan worshippers. Codes007, the persistent problem with Nigerians is we do not accept the truth as the truth. Are you aware of Fayose’s election rigging in Ekiti under GEJ and the likes. Are you not aware of the rigging under PDP whereby you vote and your votes are not counted and results announced??? In all the cases Buhari went to court but clearly there was robbery by PDP. NTA, Dasuki’s postponement, attempts to sack Jega were all done to ensure GEJ wins and Deziani, Dasuki et all escape with their stolen loot.
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