Gambia: Why there’s political turmoil in this small African nation
(CNN)Gambia’s outgoing President Yahya Jammeh should have spent his last day in office Wednesday but he has refused to accept defeat in last month’s election and hand over power to victor Adama Barrow, whose inauguration is due Thursday.
Jammeh’s rejection of the results of the December 1 election has thrown the small West African nation into political turmoil, alarmed its neighbors and prompted concern for foreigners in the country.
Here’s what you need to know about what’s happening in Gambia:
What’s the current situation?
A midnight deadline has passed for Jammeh to step down.
Troops from several West African countries are on standby to enter Gambia if Jammeh insists on staying in the post.
Barrow said he would be inaugurated Thursday at Gambia’s embassy in neighboring Senegal.
Jammeh declared a state of emergency a day before his mandate was due to end, saying that “a situation exists which, if it is allowed to continue, may lead to a state of public emergency.” He blamed an “unprecedented and extraordinary amount of foreign interference” for the crisis.
In a televised address, Jammeh said an application had been filed at the Supreme Court for an injunction to prevent Barrow from being sworn in before the court can hear his petition contesting the election results.
The long-serving leader said “any acts of disobedience” were banned under the state of emergency and that Gambian security forces were “instructed to maintain absolute law and order throughout the country.”
Reuters news agency reported Wednesday that Gambia’s National Assembly had passed a resolution allowing Jammeh another 90 days in power.
What about Barrow?
Barrow has declared himself determined to be inaugurated as scheduled, if not in Gambia itself.
“You are all welcome to my inauguration today 4pm at The #Gambian embassy in #Dakar,” he posted on his official Twitter account.
Barrow, a property developer who won 45% of the vote, has said that Jammeh has no authority to reject the election result.
The President-elect’s office insisted in a statement that “the exercise of right to file an election petition by the loser does not deprive the winner the right to prepare for his inauguration.”
His office accused Jammeh of using the court case to mobilize his supporters by making them feel cheated of victory and said this “is contributing to the fear that he is not ready for a peaceful transfer of power.”
It also called for the “general (mobilization) of the people for the inauguration.”
How did Gambia get to this point?
British tour operator Thomas Cook said it would bring home 985 vacationers in Gambia on a package deal within 48 hours and fly back another 2,500 people who only booked flights through the firm as soon as possible.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/18/africa/gambia-political-turmoil/index.html