Gambian Army Chief Tells Jammeh: You Have My ‘Full Backing’
Yahya Jammeh[/caption]
The Head of Gambia’s Army, Ousman Badjie, has given his full backing to President Yahya Jammeh, to hold on to power.
Jammeh, who has ruled the Gambia for 22 years lost election to Adama Barrow, candidate of the opposition party.
The president who is supposed to vacate office by January 19 this year earlier accepted the poll outcome and called Barrow to congratulate him on his victory, however, changed his mind citing electoral “abnormalities”.
Advertisement
In a letter to the pro-government newspaper, Badjie pledged the “unflinching loyalty and support of the Gambia armed forces” to Jammeh.
Badjie’s intervention follows the threat of military action by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if Jammeh refuses to leave office on 19 January.
Jammeh has said any such intervention would constitute an act of war.
The army’s support is seen as critical in building a transition after Jammeh’s 22 years in power.
Advertisement
The dispute over the election results has raised tensions in the region, with both neighbouring countries and international powers urging Jammeh to step down.
Security forces seized control of Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission headquarters in Banjul, while Alieu Momar Njai, head of the commission, fled the country over fears for his security.
Despite the threat of military intervention and Jammeh’s protests, Barrow’s team said they plan to declare him as president on 18 December.
