The concern of the WORLD HUMANITY COMMISSION [WHC] "Commission for Humanity" has been drawn to the situation in The Gambia, following the outcome of the just concluded Presidential Elections in the country.
It was recalled that on the 1st day of December 2016, The Gambia held Presidential Elections. On the 2nd day of December the results were declared according to Law based on the letter and spirit of 1997 Constitution and the Electoral Laws of The Gambia. The incumbent candidate of the Gambia Democratic Congress called the President-elect Adama Barrow to congratulate him for his victory, the incumbent President Jammeh respected the results and promised to work with the President-elect to have a smooth transfer of power based on the Constitution of the Republic, in Section 63 subsection (2) which clearly states that: “The person declared elected as President shall take the prescribed oaths and assume office on the day the term of office of the incumbent President expired.
” The gesture was applauded at home and abroad. We the WHC applauded it! Everyone applauded the action of President Yahya Jammeh. In the international community, The Gambia earned a respected place. This earned both the outgoing President and the President-elect a place in the Gambia and World history. It thus, symbolized unity, peace and prosperity.
Unbelievably, on the 9th day of December 2016, President Jammeh turn around to issue a statement on the national media to reject the results of the elections, declared it as invalid and promised to hold a fresh election. This action put The Gambians in the state of unrest, as his intentions were crystal clear and there was no ambiguity in what he said. He rejected the results of the Presidential elections and declared them null and void. Further announced that new elections be held under the auspices of a new IEC (Independent Electoral Commission).
In the light of this, the United Nations Security Council, African Union, World Humanity Commission and the ECOWAS Commission in coordination with the Heads of State in West Africa have expressed their concerns and met with President Jammeh and advised of a smooth transition of office to the President-elect Adama Barrow. The people of The Gambia have spoken. They have shown that they have power to determine their destiny. The other candidates of the oppositions accepted the results of the elections as the undiluted verdict of the Electorates. This is the first time in The Gambia history that change has come in a peaceful manner through the ballot box based on the consent of the people. The people deserve respect for law and order, respect for the rights of others, responsibility and will of super action based on democracy and good governance.
The WHC SYSTEM sincerely do not want the Libya and Cote d’Ivoire experiences to happen in The Gambia. The international community does not want such! We are all aware of the crisis that took place in these countries precisely, in West Africa, in the year under review, backstop mediation and shuttle diplomacy activities were embarked upon by the President of the Commission, Representative of the UN Secretary General in West Africa and the Envoys of the AU Chairperson towards the restoration of democratic order in Niger, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire. A post-election crisis developed in Cote d’Ivoire which destabilized the country. The firm decision of ECOWAS to recognize the winner of the elections as the democratically elected President of Cote d’Ivoire brought some positive bandwagon effects. The joint mediation efforts of ECOWAS, African Union in coordination with the United Nations culminated in the Heads of State and Government Summit held in Abuja 24th to 25th March 2011 and subsequent removal of former President Laurent Gbagbo on the 11th April 2011.
To foster this ECOWAS-EU Political Dialogue concrete actions that were taken by the both parties in support of peace and security, democratization, development and regional integration in West Africa, the WHC SYSTEM wish to remind President Jammeh of his promise to the whole World that he will accept the outcome of this Presidential election, and also make sure the IEC has everything in place to make it a free and fair process. May we also remind him of his acceptance of the results of the elections and his message of congratulations to the President-elect Adama Barrow on the 2nd day of December, 2016. Upon this therefore, the Commission call on the outgoing President Jammeh to:
1. Follow the good example set by Nigerian ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and concedes The Gambia presidential elections to his opponent, President-elect Adama Barrow;
2. To consider the efforts and advise of the international community, in particular and United Nations Security Council, African Union, World Humanity Commission and the ECOWAS;
3. Kindly advise the APRC to prevail on their Secretary General, to respect the outcome of the elections and refrain any futile attempt to further subvert the Gambian people’s yearning for true democracy. More also, ask the APRC to immediately stop inciting division and spreading false rumours about non-existence partisan and tribal violence; and
4. To set up parallel teams, on both sides, to work hand-in-hand to formulate and implement the modalities of the transition.
We pledge assurances of our firm allegiance to The Gambia, the people and ECOWAS community, and the World at large.
Sir Leslie R Angell Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs Ag. Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary General
Dr. Sir Zelly MIGHTY Ambassador at-Large Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary The Presidency
Cc: United Nations; European Union; Global Security Council; ASEAN; International Police Commission; NATO; EAC; ECOWAS; African Union; Pan-African Parliament
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