The Gambia’s president Yahya Jammeh has rejected the outcome
of last
week’s election, which he lost to opposition leader Adama Barrow, and
called for a fresh vote. Beaten president had
conceded the result to Adama Barrow, but now claims ‘fresh and transparent
elections’ are needed.
The announcement made on state TV on Friday
throws the future of the West African country into doubt after an unexpected
election result that ended Jammeh’s 22-year rule and was widely seen as a
moment of democratic hope.
“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,” Jammeh said.
o be held “I recommend fresh
and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and
independent electoral commission,” he said.
Human rights groups have
accused Jammeh’s government of detaining,
torturing and killing his opponents during his rule.
His defiant announcement
came after the chair of the country’s new ruling coalition said Jammeh would be
prosecuted for his crimes within a year of handing over the reins of government
in January.
Soldiers were
seen placing sandbags in strategic locations across the capital Banjul, a
development that triggered widespread unease among the already-spooked
population, who had been panic-buying food before the vote due to fear of
unrest.
As the
military deployed onto the streets of the tiny nation, the US embassy in Banjul
urged the army to continue to show “respect for the rule of law and the outcome
of the presidential election.”
“The Gambian
people have made a clear choice for change and a new start,” the embassy added.
Opposition
spokeswoman Isatou Touray criticised on social media a “violation of democracy”
and called for people to “remain calm, lucid, vigilant and not retreat.”
Babatunde
Olugboji, deputy programme director at New York-based Human Rights Watch,
responded to Jammeh’s U-turn on Friday.
“We are deeply concerned by
reports of belated objections to the Gambian election results raised by
President Jammeh,” he said.
“The international
community, notably Ecowas [the Economic Community of West African States] and
the African Union, should loudly protest against any unlawful attempt to
subvert the will of the Gambian people.”
He also reiterated analysis
his group had issued immediately after the election defeat: “Given the Jammeh
government’s past record of intimidating and targeting perceived opponents, the
transition period also carries risks.
“It is essential that during
the political transition Gambian security forces continue to show respect for
human rights and the rule of law.”
Jammeh’s defeat sparked wild
celebrations last week. But some people also said at the time that they doubted
he would accept he had been beaten.
Official election results
from the electoral commission gave Barrow, a
property developer who once worked as a security guard at retailer Argos in
London, 45.5% of the vote against Jammeh’s 36.7%.
Barrow is set to take over
in late January following a transition period, but Jammeh is likely to make
strenuous efforts to ensure that does not happen.
