Breaking News: Will The U.N and ECOWAS Delegation In Banjul Convince Jammeh To Leave?
By Yero Jallow
Close sources from Banjul hinted Gainako that a big delegation has arrived in Banjul today (Tuesday December 13th 2016) to meet with both President-elect Barrow and outgoing Jammeh. The delegation comprises of officials of the U.N, ECOWAS heads of state, and others. Another competent source said, they are currently meeting with Barrow at the Coconut Ocean Hotel then thereafter meet with Jammeh.
On December 2nd 2016, Jammeh conceded to Barrow, after being defeated in the December 1st 2016 Presidential elections. On Friday December 9th 2016, Jammeh said he was rejecting the results due to irregularities registered. On Saturday December 10th 2016, Barrow strongly told Jammeh that he (Barrow) was the President-elect, and Jammeh must hand over power to him in January. The third contestant for the Presidency, Mamma Kandeh of the GDC, issued a press release earlier on last week to ask Jammeh to step down and respect the verdict of Gambians who spoke through their votes to elect Barrow.
It is believed that these diplomats are out in Banjul to convince Jammeh to step down and hand over power peacefully without delay, to avoid bloodshed. It is not clear what options will be given to Jammeh, knowing fully well the criminality that defined his 22 years of dictatorship. Many believe that Jammeh doesn’t have an option; this is his last chance to be engaged diplomatically, failure of which he will face dire consequences including military strike from ECOWAS backed by U.N. Sources familiar with diplomacy said clearly that Jammeh’s options are limited; he would have to leave without delay or face the wrath of his own arrogance.
Various high level diplomats including U.S Ambassador to the U.N expressed great concern over Jammeh’s rejection of the election results a week later and fears for blood bath for the impoverished West African country, The Gambia.
Many Gambian citizens are in fact blaming Jammeh’s whole circle; how none of them could see the nation and its people first, says everything about the kind of cronies and enablers surrounding him. The level of their insistence shows that they are willing to put the Gambia into political turmoil; capable of life and collateral destruction. In the end, Jammeh and his enablers have woefully failed; The Gambia and its people will prevail.
Long Live The Gambia!!