(JollofNews) – A desperate President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia Sunday telephoned the chairperson of the regional bloc, Ecowas, and pleaded for assistance with Supreme Court judges to preside over his election petition.
In a recorded phone conversation aired on state television with Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Mr Jammeh said he want to resolve the election dispute peacefully through the court in line with the provisions of the Gambian constitution.
Mr Jammeh is facing sustained international pressure to handover power at the end of his term on Wednesday after his defeat in last month’s election by opposition candidate Adama Barrow.
He had initially conceded defeat and praised the country’s electoral system as rigged proof, but changed his mind a week later and declared the results null and void citing huge and unacceptable mistakes by the electoral commission.
Mr Jammeh later filed a suit at the supreme court asking judges to determine that Adama Barrow was not duly elected or returned as president, and that the said election was void.
But the court is unable to hold a hearing until May – as most of the judges come from neighbouring countries – and Mr Jammeh has said he is going nowhere until then even though his mandate ends on January 18th.
Leaders of the 15-nation regional bloc Ecowas who have unsuccessfully failed to convince Mr Jammeh to handover power peacefully intends to seek the United Nations to approve military action if Mr Barrow’s inauguration on Thursday is blocked.
And as the date nears, Mr Jammeh is desperately finding ways to buy himself time. He has recalled parliament to amend the constitution and extend his mandate and has also filed an injunction at the Supreme Court seeking to block Mr Barrow’s nomination.
Below is a transcript of the phone conversation between Mr Jammeh and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
President Sirleaf: Hello
Mr Jammeh: Walaikum Salam [Peace be unto you]
President Sirleaf: Okay I can hear you. You wanted to talk to me again?
Mr Jammeh: Yes. With regards to our last meeting when you came here, I want to request your assistance as the chairperson of the Ecowas authority of head of states to help us resolve this impasse peacefully through the courts. I hereby request to you for Ecowas to facilitate the release of the judges so that they can come and help us resolve the matter constitutionally through the constitution of the Gambia. As I said, the only peaceful resolution of this impasse is through the courts.
Everything that we agreed is based on the Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia and an application has already been filed to the Supreme Court of the Gambia for an injunction to restrain Mr Adama Barrow from being sworn-in as well as restraining the Chief Justice and any other party from swearing-in Adama Barrow into office until this application is decided either way and the status quo much remain.
That is, until such time that the Supreme Court has made a decision on this, the status quo cannot change. Under the constitution of the Gambia, the so-called date of 19th January is not cast in stone as we have an injunction in the court and we have a problem with our elections. All parties should await the outcome of the Supreme Court, which will be the only legal entity to trash out this case once and for all. I want to assure you that whatever we want to do will be based on the Constitution of the Gambia, which is the supreme authority.
So I am once again renewing my request to you as the chair to request for Ecowas to facilitate the coming of the judges so that they can hear this case as soon as possible. I count on you.
President Sirleaf: Okay Mr President. Like I told you on Thursday, I am going to work on this right away. I am going to consult with all the leaders and tell them what you have said. Like I told you before, it will be a good idea if you put it out as a statement. Just like we agreed before, a short statement coming from you will be very important for the mediating team.
A statement coming from you requesting the Ecowas body that you only want peace and you are going to follow the constitution as an exception, we will try to get those judges for you. And the court’s decision will be the way to go. A small statement like that will make everybody comfortable. Then we can move on and then encourage Nigeria and other people to get those justices coming there.
Mr Jammeh: I promise you that I will do it today and I am going to do it today my sister.
President Sirleaf: Okay.
Mr Jammeh: I give you my word.
President Sirleaf: Okay, thank you so much.
Mr Jammeh: Thank you so much all the best.
President Sirleaf: Thank you for helping us to all find peace. Gambia needs peace and Ecowas need peace.
Mr Jammeh: InShaAllah [Allah willing]. I guarantee you that by the grace of Allah we will work for a peaceful resolution.
President Sirleaf: Alright.
Mr Jammeh: Thank you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoOVACr8yXU
Mr Jammeh’s statement
Earlier today, I spoke with my sister and friend, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of the Republic of Liberia and chair of the authority of head of states of Ecowas.
I have confirmed with Her Excellency our continued commitment to a peaceful resolution of our political situation within the confines of our constitution and other laws of the Gambia.
I have confirmed that we have filed an application for an injunction to restrain Mr Adama Barrow from being sworn-in as well as restraining the Chief Justice and any other party from swearing-in Mr Adama Barrow until the application is decided by the Supreme Court of the Gambia and until then the status quo remains.
I have repeated my request to Her Excellency as chair of the authority of Ecowas head of states to help and urgently facilitate the availability of the Supreme Court judges.
I have confirmed that in our constitution, the so-called deadline of the 19th January 2017 is not cast in stone and all parties shall await the outcome of the decision of the Supreme Court.
I again herein confirmed that InShaAllah this matter shall resolve peacefully and constitutionally.
I asked all Gambians and those resident in the Gambia to go about their normal businesses and i assured you all that InShaAllah the Gambia shall continue to maintain its peace, security and stability.
Here in Portugal we also had our jammeh.
He ruled the country for 41 year, from 1933 to 1974.
There was an intelicence like nia, is known as pide.
Fortunately this regime ends in 74, when the Army arrested the nia guys, and put them in jail.
After the presidential guards surrender.
Just in one single day.
Your army have to do such a job, for them to be respected in the future. For you, gambians, to thrust institutions in the next years.
If another army does this, oh generals and coroners, you are killing your own future.
Agreed joao !
Jammeh should stop fighting a losing battle as his selfishness explicitly manifests. Why should the constitution be bent or manipulated to suit certain interests? As we speak, there is a clear provision of the law that outlines the way forward in such circumstances. If ECOWAS accepts to be cowed into submission, then it will be partakers in subverting the will of the Gambians. Jammeh should be forewarned that ignorance (of the law) is no defence. No rocket science is required to distinguish facts from fictions. Terrible indeed!
LOL: No Comment!
Jammeh’s desperation is beyond comprehension. But Gambia and the diaspora should never underestimate the slyness and sleaziness of a desperate guy trying to cling onto power. Let’s be very weary of desperate Jammeh. He is casting his net but if it will yield any returns is yet to be seen. May peace prevail in the smiling coast.
Pls Mr Jammeh what people want to hear is that you are out so that people on exile will start coming back.Go and rest.22 years is not 22days.
Africans we are just selfish for nothing after 22 years what does jammer wants to do for gambia that he didn’t do in 22years ? Thank God zambian leaders respect our constitution
Jammeh is NOT a man of peace as he claimed to be. He is just playing a dirty game to his advantage. ECOWAS must not be drawn to this hypocritical and evil man`s statements and requests from a sick out-going brutal leader. If Yaya has his ways, Gambian may witness more killings. Enough is enough! We want our country back! The telephone conversation was staged and is a propaganda to deceive Gambians, that he (Yaya) has a case in motion to call off the Inauguration of President elect Adama Barrow. Yaya is desperate and a big idiotic fool! Come Wednesday midnight, we shall have our beloved country back from a tyrant ruler (God willing).
Everything goes well for peace except war, As there will be no winner in wars ,, if all really think of citizens that say politicians although maybe only friends and their families believe that because politicians do not deserve any trust , please leave us alone we don’t want blood for the power Enough is Enough Peace and love ❤️ no one should die for you guys I mean all of you
TRAITORS AND SELLOUTS
The time is fast approaching be ready to face the consequences. To be frank it is not going to be a cheap and easy battle as you may have expected. Puppet Barrow and his gang of sellouts and traitors will realise that this is not a war between you and President Jammeh alone but rather between you and the Patriotic citizens of The Gambia who loved Babili Mansa in his efforts in buiding a progrossive and develop Gambia. This is between Patriotic Citizens against traitors and sellouts of Senegal backed puppet Barrow who wants to annexed Gambia to Senegal.
Every good citizen with nationalistic sense will stand firm and ready to die in defending the territorial sovereignty of The Gambia which President Jammeh is protecting. We will fight to death in defending The Gambia against Senegalese invasion of the Gambia with the help of Puppet Barrow and his gang of sellouts and traitors.
No traitor will be spared in this invasion. You are either with President Jammeh or with the enemies and you will be exterminated like the cockroaches as how it was done in Rwanda and Burundi. The Gambia will rather be doomed but will never be occupied by senegal with their puppet Barrow and his gang of traitors and sellouts.
Be ready for a castastrophic battle which will be a lesson for Mankind.
LOL Keyboard warrior. When the metal start flying you’ll be hiding under your bed.
Yeah, everyone’s got an idea by now what’s broiling down on Gambia and her people. It is the horrible breath of a TRAMPLING BEAST BROKE LOOSE. It would be sad but the BEAST in demons will be manhandled INSHALLAH. What could be called, ‘GOOD’ in common sense have always had conflicts with that is called, ‘BAD’ in common sense. GOOD as imperfect as it may alway prevail, would always win.
State looters like you are such ruthless criminals you wouldn’t respect a regional figure like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf by putting her phone call on air. A radio that has provided sustainance to your previous perceived enemy’s killing schemes.
Anotherdumb founded jammeh did, how can you call another leader over the telephone and record it without her consent. That alone indicated how stupid the person is, anywhere apart from gambia the person doing this behavoir can be sued to court. It is very arrogan.
Anotherdumb founded jammeh did, how can you call another leader over the telephone and record it without her consent. That alone indicated how stupid the person is, anywhere apart from gambia the person doing this behavoir can be sued to court. It is very arrogan.
Jammeh has so many dumb founded things in past cannot be counts, in 1999 he just walk off to the white house without booking an appointment to see president bush and he was stop at the security room, and got interogated by an agent in the white house in the face of cameras, that later when on tv across US.
Whether you accept it or not Killer Kanyi, Yahya Jammeh will leave power in absolute disgrace as he have used all the goodwill that the Gambian people had towards him or die a horrible death together with morons like yourself.
Let me remind you one thing Killer Kanyi, even though i hate going there, Your tribe the Jolas were and still the most backward people of the Gambia.Your womenfolk’s professional is just working as maids in the household of the other tribes.If it wasn’t the support of the other tribes,no member of your tribe will ever rise to the highest office of the land,but instead your tribe will just languish in your jungle hideouts drinking home brew alcohol and your womenfolks getting fucked by their masters.
Yahya after ascending to power with the help of Sadibou Hydara,Sanna Sabally, the singhateh brothers,Yankuba Touray and many more from other tribes,bar the Jolas, tribalised all our institutions,destroying the trust and harmony that always existed between Gambians of all tribes.
Yahya shamelessly claimed that the Mandinkas were foreigners in the Gambia and insulted Mandinkas,but guess what killer kanyi, the Mandinkas are coming for Yahya and anybody who stand in their way will be destroy. So safe yourselves before its too late and let me make it clear to you killer kanyi,the Jolas your tribe will never be anything again in the Gambia. Your womenfolks though can still work as maid,concubines and all sorts and your menfolks back to the bush and continue drinking home brew alcohol and worship your idols like your discredited son Yahya Jammeh… Baboita mansa.
As you mentioned in your rants killer kanyi that you will kill us as cockroaches, well we will see who is gonna die like a cockroach.
Long Live The Gambia
Down and straight to hell Yahya Jammeh . BABOITA MANSA.
What ever you call your self, Mr fool we don’t care about you and greedy jammeh anymore do you Gambians are afraid of your chicken treats ooh no asshole, keep it for the beast you represent.
Jammeh is a traitor, a murderer, stupid an indiscipline to Gambians both home and abroad. what an unprofessional rude man do we have as a president, make my word i may be young but capable of slaughtering you the bastard.
Remember Ghadifi was killed by an unknown boy just like me.
BE WARNED…
Jammeh you need to listen to Gambians, this is not a royal battle .
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name Thy Kingdom come.
Father have mercy upon us, Your children here in our beloved country, The Gambia.
We have decided, irrespective of our religious background, to stand together as One Gambia, One People, One Power, under the leadership of our choice President, Mr. Adama Barrow. You stood for us and gave us the courage to make the decision. The result turned out successfully in our favour. We thank You for answering our prayers. Father, we pray for a peaceful transition of power. Bless both Yaya Jammeh and Adama Barrow according to your will. Let there be peace in our land. Oh God, save us in Jesus Name, Ameen.
It’s sad for one like killer kanyi as he called himself. First you not brave enough to call ur real name. So u are fake and all u are saying is a piece of fake story. Do u know is Allah who gives life n is the only who should take it. Pls be honest to yourself. You should never mentioned what happened in Ruwanda n other sad events. Never be happy if someone is sad because your day of sadness is not far. Peace n love. Fight for yourself n not for Jammeh because he is far ahead of u. Don’t die now, try to be where he is. I think is better for you. I love you.
President jammeh for the sake of peace and a healthy future generation should relinquish power.war is all about destruction,suffering,devastation and above all long lasting recovery.
President jammeh should please relinquish power for the sake of future generations.
May the will of God be done. War is never an option. With my experience in Liberian civil war natural disaster is far better than war. Please lord Jesus protect both the good and bad people of the Gambian Nation let thou grace and wisdom guard all parties involved in doing the right thing, please good people of Gambia pray for your leader to make the right decision, as the bible has commanded. May the perfect will of God be done in Jesus mighty name….Amen