It was a last-ditch attempt to persuade Gambia’s longtime leader, Yahaya Jammeh, to step down and allow last December’s election winner, Adama Barrow, to be inaugurated this week.
However, the delegation failed to broker a deal, with Jammeh digging-in in his attempt to remain in power. Talks are bound to continue in spite of initial attempts being inclusive, a spokesperson for the delegation said, with plans for Barrow’s inauguration still on.
Jammeh’s failure to relinquish power is being resisted by ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations. ECOWAS has indicated it would consider removing Jammeh using military force if he refuses to step aside.
According to Associated Press reports, a Nigerian army memo dated Wednesday, January 11, and seen by AP, ordered officers to prepare a battalion of 800 troops for a possible military intervention in Gambia, even though military authorities in Nigeria had earlier denied the said plan for an intervention.
Meanwhile Barrow left Gambia for Mali, where he met with West African leaders attending a summit there. The former estate agent wants to resolve the transitional deadlock so he can be sworn-in, with Jammeh’s term ending on Thursday. The AU has said it will no longer recognize Jammeh’s rule beyond this point.
Jammeh had initially admitted defeat after the December election but shortly afterwards called for the result to be annulled. A lawyer for Jammeh filed a request with the Supreme Court last Thursday, asking for an injunction to block Barrow’s swearing-in.
The Supreme Court is unable to hear the challenge until May because of a shortage of judges, and Jammeh says he will not step down until then.
Barrow won 43.3% of the vote in December’s election, compared with Mr Jammeh’s 39.6%. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, got 17.1%.
However, the delegation failed to broker a deal, with Jammeh digging-in in his attempt to remain in power. Talks are bound to continue in spite of initial attempts being inclusive, a spokesperson for the delegation said, with plans for Barrow’s inauguration still on.
Jammeh’s failure to relinquish power is being resisted by ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations. ECOWAS has indicated it would consider removing Jammeh using military force if he refuses to step aside.
According to Associated Press reports, a Nigerian army memo dated Wednesday, January 11, and seen by AP, ordered officers to prepare a battalion of 800 troops for a possible military intervention in Gambia, even though military authorities in Nigeria had earlier denied the said plan for an intervention.
Meanwhile Barrow left Gambia for Mali, where he met with West African leaders attending a summit there. The former estate agent wants to resolve the transitional deadlock so he can be sworn-in, with Jammeh’s term ending on Thursday. The AU has said it will no longer recognize Jammeh’s rule beyond this point.
Jammeh had initially admitted defeat after the December election but shortly afterwards called for the result to be annulled. A lawyer for Jammeh filed a request with the Supreme Court last Thursday, asking for an injunction to block Barrow’s swearing-in.
The Supreme Court is unable to hear the challenge until May because of a shortage of judges, and Jammeh says he will not step down until then.
Barrow won 43.3% of the vote in December’s election, compared with Mr Jammeh’s 39.6%. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, got 17.1%.
From thisdaylive.
They will all die in power.
ReplyDeleteWetin this go go talk there
DeleteReally
ReplyDeleteAh ah life of a dictator. He'll be embarrassed out of office at this rate. Military might will be used? Dayum, Utterly shameful
ReplyDeleteOK bye
I like the way you comments here, why do you always go hiding sometimes, I look forward to read your comments most times,do have a bless day and Sunday.
DeleteAll for the love of power. Sincerely hoping this doesn't go the bloody route.
ReplyDeleteIranu, na peace talk we go chop.
ReplyDeletePower intoxication!Abacha twin!
ReplyDeleteTake that fool out!!! What is wrong with all these african so called leaders. They all want to rule forever like it is their God given right!!! Get that fool out now!!
ReplyDeleteOoh thats very thoughtful of them then. Let them use the military asap to remove the sadist and his ass from that seat jare. Haba what insolence!!! Shashasha gaba🙄😐
ReplyDeleteN100 and N1000 were best friends.One day they had an accident and both died. On reaching paradise entrance, God allowed N100 to enter freely. So N 1000 asked. My Lord, am I not 10 times more valuable than him?How can he enter while I'm outside? GOD answered. N100 & his siblings N50, N20, N10 always come to Church but you are always present in bars, night clubs, parties,bet9ja house restaurants & hotels, so disappear, I don't want to see you. Pls let's help N1000 to enter Heaven....take him to Church. Sir/ Ma N1000 is not too much for God. Abeg make we try dey put am for offering box. haba! 😃😃😃
ReplyDeleteMc pinky
Does our President have the intellectual ability to lead a mediation group? Everything is jst ending in deadlock
ReplyDeleteMy thought too o
DeleteYou want to rule till thy kingdom come abi
ReplyDeleteBuhari should know he is not diplomatic enough to handle this . He should have sent Baba Iyabo.
ReplyDeleteHow do this Ecowas expect a failure like buhari to lead a delegation and expect him to succeed? Has he succeeded in Nigeria economy? Charity begins at home. A failure @ 74 will always be a failure forever. Fly like bird and come back. Ajala the traveler
ReplyDeleteI wonder o
DeleteI just hope Jammeh does not plunge this country into war with his inordinate quest to remain in power. African leaders and their version of Democracy
ReplyDeleteWhy am I not surprised.Buhari is a terrible leader,and a colossal failure,anything he touches turns 2 dust.besides,what moral right does buhari ve 2 lead d ECOWAS team??.this is some1 who disobeyed d same ECOWAS court Order 2 release Dasuki and Nnamdi Kanu.d earlier dis gworo chewing mallam realises dat he has got no leadership skills,d better 4 him
ReplyDeleteBuhari dat does not even ve d intellectual capacity 2 govern d smallest Local gov.in Nig.na Im dem send 2 lead ECOWAS team 2 gambia,a redundant illiterate without school cert.mtscheew!!
ReplyDeleteHow do you expect Jammeen to listen to Buhari that has rundown his own country.....I laugh in Spanish.....
ReplyDeleteEven Buhari that wants to remove Jammeh is older than the man . Buhari come and face your country that is in comatose economically.....incompetent mofo. Who's advice was it that Buhari should lead the Ecowas team sef.....WTF
ReplyDelete