Gambian president Yahya Jammeh in a New Year address broadcast on national television says he is ready to defend his country against any form of external aggression led ECOWAS.
Jammeh in his address described ECOWAS’s position of “doing all it can” to enforce the poll results as ‘declaring war’ and also an insult to the Gambian constitution which has clear guidelines on how to solve its internal crisis.
Recall an election was held in Gambia on December 1, with the opposition candidate Adama Barrow declared winner. Jammeh called to concede victory thereafter but a week later, he recapitulated after final vote tally margin win were reduced.
‘‘What is clearly incontrovertible is the decision of ECOWAS to implement the results of the December 1st 2016 election results by whatever means possible. It is totally illegal as it violates the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. Which is an entrenched clause in the ECOWAS treaty.
‘‘It is in effect a declaration of war and an insult to our constitution. It is therefore absolutely unacceptable. This blatant, impartial and one-dimensional approach clearly indicates that the role of ECOWAS is not predicated on the pursuit of justice in the resolution of this stalemate.
ECOWAS is on record to have said that it would take “all necessary actions” to resolve the political deadlock. ECOWAS commission chief, Marcel de Souza warned that a military intervention could be used to restore the people’s wish if mediation efforts spearheaded by Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, failed to persuade Jammeh to give up power.
The two parties should
sit down and dialogue
and settle their
differences.