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| Africa Subsaharan | |
| Gambia: Confusion As Jammeh 'Annuls' Poll Result | |
| 2016-12-11 | |
... The Gambia is actually surrounded by Senegal on all sides but its west coast. It has a population of about 1.7 million. The difference between the two is that in colonial days Senegal was ruled by La Belle France and The Gambia (so-called because there's only one of it, unlike Guinea, of which there are the Republic of Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, New Guinea, the English coin in circulation between 1663 and 1813, and Guyana, which sounds like it should be another one) was ruled by Britain... has been thrown into a state of anxiety and confusion after long serving leader Yahya Jammeh annulled last week's presidential election result, citing irregularities. Golly, I'm glad that sort of thing can't happen here. President Jammeh, in a surprise announcement on state TV Friday evening, called for a rerun of the poll that was won by opposition candidate Adama Barrow. He alleged that the election had been rigged in favour of the opposition and cited irregularities in the counting. President Jammeh also said investigations by his party suggested that many of their voters were deliberately discouraged from casting their ballots. "After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election," he said in a statement aired on the Gambia Radio and Television Services. "I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a God-fearing and independent electoral commission." Swift condemnation The move has provoked swift condemnation from the international community. Mr Barrow, backed by a coalition of seven parties, won the three-man race on on December 1 with 43 per cent of the total votes cast, against president Jammeh's 40 per cent. The third candidate, Mr Mama Kandeh, received 17 per cent. The new president was expected to be inaugurated at the end of January 2017. The coalition A front man for the coalition called for calm in a brief statement. The head of the coalition transition team, Mr Mai Ahmed Fatty said: "We are working round the clock to restore sanity. The world is with us." Neighbouring Senegal ... a nation of about 14 million on the west coast of Africa bordering Mauretania to the north, Mali to the east, and a pair of Guineas to the south, one of them Bissau. It is 90 percent Mohammedan and has more than 80 political parties. Its primary purpose seems to be absorbing refugees... hinted at a possible action, calling for an urgent UN Security Council meeting. In a strongly-worded statement, the Senegalese Foreign ministry also urged the Gambian authorities to respect the will of the people, calling on the regional blocs, Ecowas and the African Union ...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful... , as well as the United Nation, to take all measures to protect the illusory sovereignty of the Gambian people. A serious violation "Senegal considers null and void Jammeh's Friday declaration which is a serious violation of the basic principles of democracy," said Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye. The Senegalese government also warned against any harm befalling its citizens in Gambia. The US State Department dismissed the reversal of President Jammeh's concession speech as "null and void," while urging the military and other national institutions to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. "This action is reprehensible and unacceptable breach of faith with the people of The Gambia and an egregious attempt to undermine a credible election process and remain in power illegitimately," said State Department front man Mark Toner. | |
| Posted by:Fred |