 |
| Yahya Jammeh |
Gambia’s defeated President, Yahya
Jammeh remains in the country and will hand over power to
president-elect Adama Barrow in January following a transition period,
the communications minister has said.
Jammeh remains in the country and will hand over power to
president-elect Adama Barrow in January following a transition period,
the communications minister has said.
Jammeh,
who has ruled the West African nation for 22 years, has not been seen
in public since he shocked observers by accepting his surprise loss in a
Dec. 1 election on Friday, leading to rumours he had fled Gambia.
who has ruled the West African nation for 22 years, has not been seen
in public since he shocked observers by accepting his surprise loss in a
Dec. 1 election on Friday, leading to rumours he had fled Gambia.
His
defeat was met with wild celebrations this weekend but his absence
prompted speculation that a man who scrapped constitutional limits on
the length of his rule and has a firm grip on the military, might not
keep his word.
defeat was met with wild celebrations this weekend but his absence
prompted speculation that a man who scrapped constitutional limits on
the length of his rule and has a firm grip on the military, might not
keep his word.
The
former British colony attracts thousands of British tourists to its
beaches every year. But it has become increasingly estranged from the
West in recent years amid tensions over allegations that Jammeh’s
security forces have imprisoned and tortured opponents.
former British colony attracts thousands of British tourists to its
beaches every year. But it has become increasingly estranged from the
West in recent years amid tensions over allegations that Jammeh’s
security forces have imprisoned and tortured opponents.
It
withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2013 and in October Bojang announced
the withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, calling it the
“International Caucasian Court”.
withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2013 and in October Bojang announced
the withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, calling it the
“International Caucasian Court”.
But
Barrow’s election has raised hopes of reforms, including the release of
dozens of political prisoners, and closer relations with the West.
Barrow’s election has raised hopes of reforms, including the release of
dozens of political prisoners, and closer relations with the West.
A Commonwealth spokesman said representatives from Barrow’s team had spoken with them and had “warm and friendly” discussions.
Source: Reuters
Donate to Precision
