(JollofNews) – The West African regional bloc said on Saturday it would take all necessary actions to uphold the result of a Dec. 1 election in Gambia, where veteran President Yahya Jammeh says he will not step down after losing to Adama Barrow.
ECOWAS leaders said in a communique marking the end of a summit in the Nigerian capital that they would attend the Jan. 18 inauguration of Barrow, “who must be sworn in”, and guarantee the safety of the president-elect.
Barrow’s surprise victory and Jammeh’s initial decision to step down was seen across Africa as a moment of hope.
Jammeh announced on Dec. 9 that he would reverse that position and called for a fresh vote. That move was widely condemned, including by ECOWAS leaders who say it violates the principle of democratic accountability.
Jammeh’s party is now challenging the result in Gambia’s Supreme Court.
ECOWAS agreed to “respect the will of the Gambian people” and said the group had nominated Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to mediate.
“The authority (ECOWAS) shall undertake all necessary actions to enforce the result of the election,” the group added, calling on all stakeholders inside and outside the country to show restraint.
“(ECOWAS) calls on the Gambian defence and security to perform their role in a nationalistic manner and protect lives and property,” the final communique said.
A Gambian delegation led by Works Minister Bala Garba Jahumpa had arrived while the summit was already in progress to affirm Jammeh’s stance, diplomats said.
ECOWAS measures could include sanctions, which could hurt Gambia because ECOWAS member Senegal is the country’s only neighbour.
Jammeh’s 22 years in power have been marked by allegations of human rights abuses and repression against perceived political opponents.
ECOWAS chairwoman Ellen Johnson Sirleaf went to Gambia this week accompanied by the leaders of several West African countries including Nigeria and Ghana, whose President John Mahama lost a Dec. 7 election and said he would step down.
(Additional reporting by Paul Carsten; Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by Catherine Evans)
The killers of Deyda Hydra and numerous others are afraid of their shadows. The whole of West Africa is with the Gambian people. On January 18 we stand.
The killers of Deyda Hydra and numerous others are afraid of their shadows. The whole of West Africa is with the Gambian people. On January 18 we stand.
hello to all
Babili Mansa is the choice of the people not the fat belly and ugly wheelbarrow. if the diaspora gambians think they can manipulate the results by bribing the IEC Chief Robber by fixing results they are fools. we the people in The Gambia cannot be fooled by you. We know who is giving us progress and development. We will stand our hero Yahya Jammeh till the end. His love for Gambia cannot march you the hypocrits Diasporan Gambians who looted our monies and fled and now you want to come back by bribing the electoral chief robber to fix figures. Jammeh is not a fool neither a coward.