(JollofNews) – President Yahya Jammeh’s rejection of December 1st election result is unacceptable and threatened peace not only in the Gambia but the entire West African Subregion, says the chair of regional block ECOWAS.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of the Republic of Liberia and chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said she is deeply concerned about the current political developments in the Gambia.
Mr Jammeh on Friday rejected the results of the election which was declared in favour of the opposition after accusing the electoral commission of committing serious errors which undermined the outcome of the final results.
But President Sirleaf insisted that the will of the Gambian people, freely expressed in exercise of their franchise, must be respected by President Jammeh and officials of his government without precondition.
She said she has endorsed the joint statement issued by the African Union, ECOWAS and the United Nations, noting that it leaves no doubt that the reversal in the position of President Jammeh is totally unacceptable.
“In this twenty-first century, leaders have no room for selectivity – to accept only outcomes which give a mandate to lead and deny a result which withdraws that mandate, especially when election procedures and modalities are similarly applied,” she said.
“Our common commitment to the precepts in the charters and treaties of these regional, continental and global institutions are binding and prescribe consequences for non-compliance.’’
President Sirleaf appealed to President Jammeh to do the right thing and take actions to facilitate a smooth and peaceful transition in the Gambia, respecting the election results which reflect the freely expressed will of the Gambian people.
She noted that the Gambian President’s initial and principled position of acceptance of these results have already been lauded by all in the global community, including herself as the mark of enlightened leadership and patriotism.
President Sirleaf made a similar appeal to President-elect Barrow and members of the opposition to exercise restraint, underscoring that they too have a responsibility to act maturely in the interest of preserving peace and calm in their country. She also calls on the people of The Gambia to remain calm and peaceful.
