The African Union has announced it will no longer recognize Yahya Jammeh as the president of the Gambia when his tenure expires on January 19.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council in a statement after a meeting Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital said there will be “serious consequences in the event that his (Jammeh) action causes any crisis that could lead to political disorder, humanitarian and human rights disaster, including loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties”.
Mr. Jammeh lost the presidential elections held in his country last year to Adama Barrow who was declared winner by the country National Independent Electoral Commission. But he has refused to accept the results after earlier conceding defeat.
He has filed a motion at the Supreme Court of his country but the outcome of that case can only be known possible in May, months after his tenure had expired.
Mr. Jammeh’s political party has also filed a motion at the Supreme Court of the Gambia to stop the inauguration of Adama Barrow as president on January 19.
The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS has been making efforts to resolve the political crisis. That mediation is being led by Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Buhari’s country lawmakers on Thursday voted to provide Mr. Jammeh with an asylum package if only he steps down peacefully.
Meanwhile, the political party of the country’s President-elect Adama Barrow said the embattled President Yahya Jammeh would be respected as a former president if he hands over power peacefully.
Source: Africafeeds.com
