Jammeh Faces Legal Hurdle As Supreme Court Fixes Suit On Jan 16, 3 Days To Inauguration
Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jammeh, the outgoing President of the Gambia[/caption]
Embattled President Yayah Jammeh of the Gambia seems to be in a legal cul de sac as the Supreme Court of Gambia postponed the president’s suit challenging his election loss to January 16, barely three days to inauguration of the new president.
Jammeh was defeated by his main opposition, Adama Barrow on December 1 and had earlier accepted the outcome only to recant alleging electoral irregularities.
The court’s registrar said “the case has been adjourned until Jan. 16, since only one of the required minimum of five judges is present.’’
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Barrow is expected to be sworn in as president on January 19, which now is shrouded in confusion.
The postponement of the case came one day after the Communications Minister, Sheriff Bojang, stepped down and fled the West African nation.
Yahya Jammeh Bojang said he resigned because Jammeh’s refusal to accept the outcome of the presidential election was disregarding the will of the people.
On Monday, several West African heads of state resolved to intervene in Gambia’s political crisis after meeting in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
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They were expected to arrive in Gambia to meet with Jammeh, who has ruled the country for more than two decades on Wednesday.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the UN and the African Union are also expected to take part in the dialogue and call on Jammeh to respect the country’s constitution.
