NEWS: Gambia's President Jammeh Accuses Regional Bloc Of Declaring War
 |
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, in 2014, initially conceded presidential election defeat to opposition leader
Adama Barrow before reversing his position and refusing to accept the vote a week later
(AFP/File) [Pulse.ng] |
Yahya Jammeh the president of Gambia has in his speech accused the West African regional bloc ECOWAS of declaring war after demanding that he stand down following his defeat at the ballot box.
Regional leaders in the government warned last month that the 15-member ECOWAS would "take all necessary action to enforce the results" of the December 1 poll.
Jammeh retorted in a New Year's speech on Saturday night that the ECOWAS the concluded summit decision was "totally illegal" as it violated the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of its member states.
"It is in effect a declaration of war and an insult to our constitution. It is therefore absolutely unacceptable," Jammeh said.
"Let me make very clear that we are ready to defend the country against any aggression and there will be no compromise on this. He said"
But he reversed his decision a week later, condemning "unacceptable errors" by election authorities and calling for a new election.
The Gambia's top court said last month it was adjourning until January 10 a case filed by Jammeh to annul the vote results.
Jammeh's stance has stoked international concerns about the future of the small west African country, with the UN joining African leaders in calling for him to allow Barrow to take the oath of office as scheduled on January 19.
But the 51-year-old strongman has remained intractable.
"Given the unjustifiable and unprecedented anomalies... what we are simply and rightfully asking for is to return to the polls and allow the Gambians to elect who they want to be their president in free and fair elections," he said Saturday.