(JollofNews) – President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia has changed his mind again and has decided to stay put and defend his government.
Mr Jammeh was earlier reported to have accepted a last-minute deal brokered by Mauritania’s president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz who was in Banjul on a day’s visit.
The deal included him going into exile in Mauritania.
He later had a change of heart and said he will only go into exile if judges at the Supreme Court rule against his petition in May.
A disappointed President Aziz left Banjul late in the night for Senegal where he held talks with President Mack Sall.
Mr Jammeh’s mandate expired at midnight after his surprised defeat in last month’s election by opposition candidate Adama Barrow.
He had vowed to cling to power after accusing the country’s electoral commission of rigging the election in favour of the opposition.
His attempt to overturn the election result at the Supreme Court has been delayed because of a shortage of judges as most of the judges come from neighbouring countries
Mr Jammeh’s refusal to step down has open the door to a Senegal led military intervention to installed Mr Barrow.
Meanwhile, as Senegalese and other troops massed on the Gambia’s borders, the country’s Chief of Defence Staff, Ousman Bargie, said he would not order his men to fight other African troops if they enter into the country.
“We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute,” he said, after eating dinner in a tourist district close to the capital, Banjul, eyewitnesses told AFP.
“I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men,” he added, stopping to pose for selfies with admirers while dressed in fatigues, beret and green t-shirt, according to those present.
Meanwhile at the time of writing this report, a Senegalese radio station is reporting that Senegalese soldiers have crossed into Gambian territory. The reporter said the heavily armed soldiers are entering the Gambia via land and sea.
The Nigeria Airforce, which is already in Dakar, is on standby and would be deployed to help neutralise any resistance.
First
This stupid man should for sake of innocent citizens allow the elected president to take over. Liberia ,Cote D’Ivoire and others have not recovered their own military sagas. I wish men of forces will go there and pick him up. Stupid dictator ruling your people for good 2yrs yet not happy.
This stupid man should for sake of innocent citizens allow the elected president to take over. Liberia ,Cote D’Ivoire and others have not recovered their own military sagas. I wish men of forces will go there and pick him up. Stupid dictator ruling your people for good 22yrs yet not happy.
Why the sudden change of mind Jammeh?
We hate you.
Don’t blame Ex-President Jammeh. We’re not sure of his sanity. However, he should be arrested and tried in Gambia. This should teach other tyrants lesson.
Dictatorship or Aurtocracy like the one existing in Gambia since 22yrs was absolute brutal and barbaric system of unfaithful governance which subject Gambians in tragedy and torture. Your days are numbered since you want to waste more innocent bloods because of your selfish political ambitions.
Well JAMMEH you got it right just remain where you are. You will not be killed but captured alive and delivered before a court of competent jurisdiction to fully account for your atrocities. Your record breaking is even more than Hitler’s because atleast he was capable of something but your case is different, you can’t even feed yourselves what else can you do? Idiot.
Definitely lost his marbles this bloke …
Absolutely…
Wow, who can believe this guy. Changing you mind every second.
JATTA, REMEMBER YOUR PRESIDENT DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY–SO YOU CANNOT DEMONSTRATE, IT WILL BE ILLEGAL…! JATTA, YAYA JAMMEH IS NOTHING BUT A RUTHLESS GREEDY DICTATOR– GUYS HE IS SCARED OF THE US GOVERNMENT COMING AFTER HIM FOR THE CRIMES— DRUG DEALINGS, ARMS DEALING—MISSING US CITIZENS– THE KILLINGS, RAPS AND LOOTING OF STATE FUNDS—THE MANSION
JATTA, GOD DOES NOT HELP EVIL– HOW AMOUNT THE NIA–YANKUBA BADJIE– IN SENEGAL , THE WORLD IS COMING FOR YOU TOO…
Why is the west pushung Jammeh to step down. Clearly the votes were rigged.
What jammeh is asking for is only a reelection which was the most easy way out.
Look at the amount of money spent for the Nigerian troops with the hardware to arrive to senegal etc. That could have been used to sponsor the reelection. Also, why is the west not paying attention to Boko haram who have terrorized Nigeria raped and kidnapped many of our sisters there.
Does that not mean anything to then.
Jammeh has every right to stick to his position. He was clearly cheated. The media is shut to report the cheating. But we gambians know the truth.
My brothers and sisters in senegal and Nigeria pls come out in large numbers and protest this silly invasion. Let them pay more attention towards Boko haram and wipe them out.
Stop your goverment from doing a big mistake.
We gambian are peace loving as you all know that.
A simple reelection will resolve the problem in the gambia.
@Jatta, you are just like Jammeh! The elections were not rigged, voter counts in individual constituencies were correct which even his party members and representatives recognized that. IEC had a minor mistake in the total cumulative when the Basse region was included . Jammeh himself quoted the correct margin when he first congratulated Barrow, and off course he has rights to appeal to the court but that he must step down once his term ends according to the consitution of the Gambia and wait for the courts to decide. Remember in the previous elections , the opposition has filled several petitions which were not heard in the Supreme court and did not deter Jammeh from being sworn in. The constitution of the Gambia is clear, the winner declared by IEC should be sworn in. In fact, it was his own fault why we there are no judges in the Supreme courts.
Let’s be fair and honest to mankind!
Stop blaming the West for your own problems. We can disagree with the West, and comtinue to work with them and have what we want. What can’t you understand about a globalized world ? We have to accept that globalization is not perfect either, there are gains and loses. We cannot isolate ourselves and expect a good outcome. For example, look at how many tourists are currently leaving the country and the lose of revenue and jobs as a result of the political crisis
You are right my brother, if at all ready elections were called for, we would not have this mess.
Thrice the election commission comes out with corrections. Reports of ppl sent home without voting. Doesn’t it all make some sense. It’s hard to believe jammeh loosing by 20000 votes. No matter how much some gambians hate him, what happened in the elections was wrong.
Think about it, what could have been a better solution to this problem?
If really elections were called and jammeh lost, then for sure the ppl of gambia don’t want him.
Call him a dictator or what ever, but past 22 years tourist still came down to gambia, business was still going strong. Businessman from our neighboring countries opened up a here in gambia. There were no complicated procedures. Gambians were getting jobs.
It’s just that all want to be on the side of the west and the ppl who want to loot our gambia. Senegal has been hovering over gambia for years but couldn’t gain axcess as jammeh blocked them each time.
Senegalese treat us gambians like dirt. Our currency is nit evened entertained there.
They expeCT gambians to bow down to them but jammeh each time gives them a befitting reply.
Think about it.
My brother, most Gambians don’t hate Jammeh. What we hate is the way he govern. We cannot live in our own country without freedom. Subjugation of your own brothers and sisters because of their political views is not acceptable. Insulting our elders and jailing of political opponents is unacceptable. Killing people for protesting peacefully is unacceptable. If Jammeh’s government respected the rule of law then he will not have many opponents. I myself and most Gambians I know were supporters of Jammeh when he overthrew the Jawsra’s government. The reason we stop supporting him is the above violations I mention. I respect your support for Jammeh, so you have to respect our support for change and mr. Barrow
Ok bros, all what you said about Jammeh defending the sovereignty of the Gambia can be done by other Gambians too.Let him relax, the presidency is not like kingship .Let others try too , others can do the same and even more.
drop that crap. I guess you abused people the same. Are you living in the real world?
You’re nothing but a fool been brain washed, the whole of Africa Gambia is the most smallest and upon all that what can the country boost of? Citizens are dying day in and out just to seek greener pastures outside the country. people like you should be arrested and be charged with contempt of first degree felony.
We’re living in one of the biggest conspiracy of our time.
Why deployed military to a crisis which didn’t even claim even a break jaws?
Simply, they’ve seen a strong case put in court and since the were longing his removal unsuccessfully through coup d’état, the right moment has just arrived.
But we want to assure the west and traitors of own race and country that there are more Yahya Jammeh.
Gambia will not be sellout in Dakar auction.
We urge Jammeh to step down. But soon this selfish coalition will trade blows and gonna win the next elections.
Hahahahaha haaaaaaaaa!, though it is not a time to laugh. Elections still costs the taxpayers in the Gambia a lot of money but…. it is Jammeh’s money however.
@Jatta, we are not supposed to be living our lives for food but for thought.
@bourne Don’t fool self. Since the post electral crisis I have spent more than what a civil servant( per capital income) of Gambia to shift my family to Upper River. I am sure many people have done likewise.
All we want is the court to decide on the fate of 2 million Gambian rather ECOWAS sending bulldozers to kill.
Anyway there is a great conspiracy and we The Gambian are suffering.
you would not have to move your family and ECOWAS would not need to send help if Jammeh stepped down peacefully
I believe he has a right to challenge the results, but after he steps down respectfully and peacefully for the gambian people and others who live in gambi. after that he can still challenge the results peacefully in court.
he has put us all in a troublesome situation
You dey craze….. Who told you Nigeria is complaining about the money to move our troop?
Don’t worry yourself, election is once.When a team in World cup lost at the finals, you don’t ask for replay.He has lost already. There’s no way opposition will have major rig on the election.
Let him set aside after 22yrs. Whether he did good or bad in that 22yrs, let him go for another person to come in.
About Boko haram in Nigeria, don’t worry, leave that one for us, we are tackling it.Boko haram didn’t start in a day in Nigeria, so, we are wiping them out gradually.
If you are eating under Jammeh, what you have eaten is enough . Pack yourself into one side.
I am referring to Jatta .
Jatta, just listen to yourself! An election was held and results announced in favour of someone else other than the ex-President. Where the ex-President or anyone else for that matter is dissatisfied with the results as announced the thing to do is to file a petition but not prevent the winner from being sworn in! Where the petition succeeds the sworn in candidate will vacate the office to await the execution of the court order. I assume you do not know the foregoing.
That is what he said. He said jammed can challenge the results but after stepping down instead of preventing him
U are a fool .greedily
Thank You! I have been waiting for some1 from Gambia to finally speak out! ECOWAS must dialogue and engage both parties not to give commands !
Is dis something true Mr jammeh backtrack
Good thing comes to those who wait, Yaya doesn’t deserved to be treated like a citizen of Gambia anymore. He should be treated like and enemy who should get the full force of the law of the land. When I said good thing cones to those who wait, it meant the the only good thing is Gambians will get rid of this sleep depraveted and walking wounded man out of his so call bunker and paraded to Gambians. Good things happens to good people, that is Gambians . God bless our motherland. Keep it up the reward is almost here for all the dedication and hard work you have done. I praise each and everyone for your dignity you shown to the wider world that we are a nation of peace loving country .
Reelection only to steal the election, or no. Why did’nt you call for reelection when he won 4 times? Is too late now. The easiest way out is to give himself up before any life is lose. 22 years is not enough? Many Gambians who want to be president and waiting. After this we should have a presidential term limit.
Jatta it looks like you have lost the argument since midnight. Why don’t you stop all this nonsensical merry go round like a musical chair. You are beginning to sound like a loose who knows no bounds or when to stop. If you believe so much that Yaya should have another election why don’t you speak to Mr gomez, he will be more than happy to give you some home truth. By the way he is in Senegal if you want to reach him. Good luck.
I meant you are a looser
Really me a looser? I don’t know if you are a brother or sister but put this in your head.
WE GAMBIANS ARE LOOSERS. Which includes you and your loved ones if at all you all are gambians.
As far as why no reelection last 4 times, no one challenged or the challenge was too weak.
The argument here is shall outsiders come in and not only destroy our country but also family’s of our gambians.
@jatta there lots of Gambian’s out there dreaming of becoming president one day so jammeh houldd leave that post for someone else n let the post turn round it doesn’t belong to him alone come to think of it he collected it from somebody so he should give it to another person peacefully and the lot’s of people out there that can perform better than Jammeh
Thank you JollofNews for your PROFESSIONAL reporting. The CRIMINAL IDIOT can end in his 7-Star Hotel – with his cell OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW.
Well (S)he changed her mind again, and may be by tomorrow (S)he will change his mind again, but by then it might be too late!
He might be afraid of the kind of discipline that us ordinary mortals have to muster day-t-day- to, say obey traffic lights, rule of law, and to take only what is ours, which, on occasions might only be a tin of sardines for lunch, travel on commercial airline, to be mind our mouth and not be abusive of others, etc. All this might be too much for someone used to having his ways in his own ‘chiefdom’.
But we should still hope (s)he changes his mind again and accept exile where, of course he will be expected to live by some rule of conduct.
ECOWAS should forcefully push jammeh out, we are tired of dictators here in Africa. Next should be Ugandan…..
That’s why I think all Africa should have their equivalent of ECOWAS. We all from West Africa should be proud of them so far. It wasn’t initiated overnight. I remember very well, Gambia’s Ecomog contingent being sent to Liberia in the early nineties…91? It’s started a long way back and it is doing all well and bearing fruit.
Can you put your hand in fire for 30 minute brother?
We love the Gambia is our country
Gambia for real Gambian who love them self
We love our self and we love the gambia
Brother jammeh step areside Barrow taking over
I can’t believe this when they give army uniform to the scout boys in gambia
What for colley ?
Gambia all tribs are married to another
We are one people we attend each other naming sermonising n feneral we all one
Why boys scout are having army uniform with out training ?
Guys we are following the happenings from your country , you are the best people to decide on jammeh because you know him better than external countries , african problems are the same , God bless Gambia . From Zambia
THANKS HE WILL BE TRY IN GAMBIAN COURTS, THIS MAN IS A DANGER TO THE WHOLE OF AFRICA– HE IS A RUTHLESS ARMS DEALER, DRUGS DEALER AND OWN TH WHOLE ECONOMY FOR 22 YRS, FORCE LABOUR– HIS SECURITY AGENTS NIA ARE ON THE RUN TOO—TORTURE , EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS AND FORCES DISAPPEARANCE. I HOPE THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF GHANA ASK ABOUT TH 44 OF THEIR CITIZENS THAT HE KILLED , ALSO I HOPE SENEGAL ASK HIM ABOUT THE EXECUTION OF THEIR CITIZENS TOO.. .WE HOPE THE PEOPLE OF BISSAU CAN ASK HIM WHO KILLED NINO VIRA.. AND MANNEH— YAYA WHO KILL THESE GAMBIANS DEDA HYDARA, WHERE IS JOURNALIST MANNEH— AND SANA MANJANG–WHERE ARE YOU….
Jetta you are not serious to support a despot who ruined other citizens rights for 22 years. He got power through a coup and refuses to go through election.Now he has staged another coup and you endorse him.You are with him and not Gambia
This so call Jatta is elementary product. They lack rational. It’s ok for Gambians to be inconvenient, traumatized by what might happen to them than for jammeh to accept the results. Jammeh and Jatta should move in together and debate each other. Jatta, please speak for yourself. Gambians are not loosers.
THE THING TO DO NOW THAT YOU AS THE APRC LAWYER IS ACTUALLY EXPLAIN THE FULL LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OF
1) ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
2) SOLDIERS, POLICE, NIA OBEYING ORDERS OF JAMMEH WHO IS NOW AN INSURGENT
THE FACT THAT YOU “ACTED UNDER DURESS” WHEN YOU MADE CERTAIN PRONOUNCEMENTS ON THE LEGALITY OF JAMMEH AND OTHERS ACTIONS NOW MAKE IT IMPERATIVE THAT YOU EXPLAIN THE FULL STANCE OF THE LAW
When the hunter becomes the hunted. Jammeh’s world is constricting by the day. His past has now come to haunt his future. No wonder he is giving mixed signals. Pave way for others, the nation is more important than an individual.
I apologize my fellow gambians. I am completely WRONG about jammeh I have checked the facts of the matter and found I was not thinking reasonable forgive me I was a big fool for believing in the evil he provided when I should be believe what is right for us
@Jatta= I personally accept your apology. We can continue to learn from each other and understand that we can agree to disagree without violating each other’s civil liberties. We must respect human rights and rule of law, and uphold Democracy if we want to avoid living like wild animals in the jungle. We should continue to love each other as Gambians and Africans and work hard for the development of our beloved Gambia and Africa as a whole. May GOD continue to bless us and bless our beloved Gambia and Africa and the whole world.
thank you. you are right, I agree one hundred percent
Jatta, i celebrate your person for being man enough to accept the obvious!
It’s a shame the other jammeh supporters dont do the same lol
Jatta once again you are ranting, Gambian’s have a better thing to do minus you. People like you don’t know when to quit, if you really need some some sound advice speak to your doctor, I think you are having personality disorder. You are not speaking for true sons and daughters of Gambia that believe in true justice. Stop playing with our nation and the lives of people. Bullies need to be stood up to, stop blaming other people. you don’t have a leg to stand on the big brother is in town now, justice will be restored today, so Gambian’s can smile again.
please do not fool yourself I apologized already do not be a looser
@Next Chapter,your brother Jatta has apologized…..pls, forgive him.
Jatta, please, check well next time before reacting against your people.
Let Jammeh should go and rest, he has tried for Gambia…………… Let another person go
Greetings from Nigeria …………….. We love you Gambians and we stand by you………… no blood shall be wasted unnecessarily .God will take control!
Indeed, I should of accepted the idea of change from the beginning, I was blind to Jammeh’s true colours
That is a fair write up. Your thoughts sits well.
I have a theory? I think yaya refused to take the offer from Mauritania because he the Hunter is now been hunted by his own generals. He promised to defend the country with them that’s why he didn’t want to go, I think he is a hostage in the state house. Someone is calling the shots now, not yaya himself. It will all become clear as the day passes. Yaya brought this whole saga on himself, he will only get what he deserved once the order is been given to ecowas force to take him out. I hope they don’t kill him cos it would be nice to ask him some very important questions about his misrule and disappearances of Gambian’s under his watch.
JATTA well done for showing maturity and sincererity, we are all Gambian’s and we all want what is best for our nation. We should all unified no matter what tribe or belief we have to make Gambia work for everyone. It takes a true man to admit they are wrong we are only humans. God bless our nation.
Thank you, I am only happy to finally see the truth in what is right for all of us. If only the others could also open thier own eyes to it as well. but thank God almighty that we have reached a point where our nation can move forward, I have great hopes for what the future may hold God willing
I reall hope to God that this Gambia situation is resolved without bloodshed.
I really hope this can be resolved peacefully . The Gambia AND its people are lovely . I feel so sorry for the many Gambians who rely on the tourism . I have been to the Gambia 5 TIMES and was due to fly out again, for 2 weeks in february.
I urge all Gambians to come back home,by today 0800hrs you will be free people again!!God bless you the Gambia.
I weep for a people (Gambians) who are being deceived to believe that they need troops of ECOWAS to overthrow Jammeh. If I must say, it is very wrong for Jammeh to refuse to hand over BUT it is extremely wrong for any nation or groups of nations to invade another nation on such excuse. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF ALL NATIONS MUST BE RESPECTED!!!
The resulting effects of an invasion could be catastrophic. If truly African leaders wanted peace, they did not have to deploy soldiers; judges could have been deployed long before now to start looking into the case. Let us all remember that Jammeh initially congratulated Barrow before changing his mind AFTER WHAT HE CLAIMED TO BE A DISCOVERY OF MALPRACTICES.
On a final note, I PLEAD WITH YAYA JAMMEH TO LEAVE OFFICE AND PUT HIS HOPE IN THE COURTS. I also want to use this medium to appeal to all African & world leaders calling on Jammeh to hand over that THEY, ALL, SHOULD ENSURE THAT JAMMEH’S PETITION AGAINST THE ELECTION IS TREATED FAIRLY AND JUSTLY. No one should attempt to pick up, arrest or prosecute Yaya Jammeh for any alleged past crime until his petition his heard and judgement passed.
Thanks!
I am a patriotic Nigerian and I AM FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN GAMBIA!
Yahya Jammeh is absolutely greedy and selfish human being, how can somebody rule a country for twenty two years, still want to remained in power. Jammeh for years pretend to be Pan Afriacanist. If really have the interest of his country, and his people in heart, he cannot have done this way, i did not see any development in Gambia, after all the twenty two years in Power, take look at Rwanda, how it was develop by their patriotic leader. All African disappointed in Yahya Jammeh, He is not a man of dignity, If he really believed in Allah, as he is a good Muslim, then he must have understand, that everything in life, all end, nothing is forever. Why then he refused to go. And he just want destroyed is country, Gambian are very easy going, and accommodating people, i will always remember my Gambian Friend Abubakar Tarawale, from Serekunda, He is Sarawule, we share the same House in my years in Holland. He` is wonderful human being, kind and generous.
Let the troops flash the idiot out of state house.
Nd the Gambian army should have arrested jahman for bleaching the Gambian constitution. Am a Zambian commando