The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gambia

  • Update: I have agreed to relinquish office – Jammeh

    Update: I have agreed to relinquish office – Jammeh

    Gambian President Yahya Jammeh on Saturday finally agreed to quit office following last-chance talks with west African leaders ahead of a possible military intervention.

    Jammeh spent hours with Guinea and Mauritania’s presidents on Friday in Banjul, where agreement was reached that he would hand power to Adama Barrow, the declared winner of elections last month.

    “I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians,” Jammeh said in a statement broadcast on state television.

    The leader declared his decision to leave office — after weeks of stalling through threats and legal action — was his alone, despite immense pressure from the international community.

    There was however no confirmation of where he would spend his life after his presidency.

    “My decision today was not dictated by anything else than the supreme interest of you the Gambian people and our dear country,” Jammeh said in his speech, thanking Gambians for their support.

    “At a time when we are witnessing trouble and fears in other parts of Africa and the world the peace and security of the Gambia is our collective heritage which we must jealously guard and defend,” he added.

    “I am proud and honoured to have served The Gambia. I submit myself only to the judgement of Allah.

    “I am proud and honoured to have been of service to you. I believe in the capacity of Africans to decide for themselves all issues on democracy,social and economic development,” Jammeh stated.

    Mauritania president Abdul Aziz talks confirmed that a deal has been struck with Jammeh’s to allow him step down peacefully.

    “We’ve reached an agreement that saves the Gambia, guarantees peace and assures security, dignity honour for the outgoing president,” Aziz said.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received briefing on the situation in Banjul from government officials on Friday soon after his return from Ibadan where he had gone on an official trip.

    He is acting for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on a  10-day medical vacation in the United Kingdom .

    The  Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the VP , Laolu Akande, said on his Twitter handle yesterday that : “VP Osinbajo on return to Abuja received update and  briefings on the situation in Gambia and briefings from a number of cabinet ministers.”

     Barrow has been in neighbouring Senegal for days. He was sworn-in in the Gambian embassy there on Thursday.

    His legitimacy as president has been recognised internationally, after he won last month’s elections.

    Jammeh’s deadline to cede power to Barrow lapsed several times as West African troops moved into the nation in a bid to force his removal.

    Hours before, Gambia’s army chief abandoned the embattled longtime leader, saying his forces would not fight against a military operation to remove him, as regional leaders led a last ditch effort to convince him to flee into exile.

    The defection of General Ousman Badjie, who had previously stood by Jammeh, removed what was perhaps the former coup leader’s last remaining pillar of support, potentially raising the likelihood of a peaceful solution to the political impasse.

    While Barrow’s election victory last month and inauguration on Thursday were celebrated by many across the tiny nation of less than 2 million people, support for Jammeh remained strong among some Gambians, who opposed the military intervention.

    Hours before Jammeh agreed to quit yesterday Gambians had taken to social media, particularly the Twitter which had recorded more than 200,000 tweets in praise of Nigeria, Senegal and ECOWAS.

    The new President, Mr Adama Barrow, took to twitter thanking the people of the Gambia and the world.

  • `No war’, Gambian Army Chief pledges

    Gambia’s Chief of Defence, Ousman Badgie, on Friday said there “is not going to be any war or any fighting’’ as talks to convince Yahya Jammeh to cease power continues.

    The Gambian Army Chief assured that the West African leaders would continue to make a final attempt to convince Yahya Jammeh to cease power.

    “It’s a political misunderstanding; it is going to be solved politically, not militarily.

    “Security is guaranteed 100 per cent,’’ the army chief adds, inviting thousands of Gambians who fled their country in fear of violence to return.

    “West African troops that crossed from neighbouring Senegal into Gambia to help unseat Jammeh would be welcomed “with a cup of tea,’’ said Badgie. (dpa/NAN)

  • Troops storm The Gambia as Barrow takes oath

    Troops storm The Gambia as Barrow takes oath

    The Gambia got a new President yesterday.

    Adama Barrow, who won the December 1, last year election, was inaugurated as president at an event in Dakar, Senegal, witnessed by top United Nations diplomats.

    But the defeated incumbent Yahya Jammeh stayed put at the presidential palace in Banjul, The Gambian capital.

    A few hours to the expiration of his legal term on Wednesday, he failed to utilise the opportunity provided by visiting Mauritanian president for him to stand down.

    West African leaders have so far failed to persuade Jammeh to quit. They have threatened to remove him by force.

    Senegalese troops yesterday entered The Gambia to ensure Adama Barrow assume power as the country’s president, a Senegalese army spokesman said.

    Senegalese army spokesman Col Abdou Ndiaye was quoted by news agencies as saying the country’s troops entered The Gambia yesterday afternoon.

    Nigeria said its “armed reconnaissance air force are over Gambia”, AFP reports.

    Jammeh lost the poll, according to the Gambian electoral commission. But he wants the results annulled, citing errors in the electoral process.

    Taking his oath, Barrow said: “I, Adama Barrow, do swear that I’ll well and truly prosecute the functions of the office of the president of the Republic of The Gambia. That I will preserve and defend the constitution.”

    President of the Gambian Bar Association, Sherrif Tambadou, administered the oath of office on the President.

    Barrow was relocated to Dakar by the ECOWAS Mediation Team led by  President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his inauguration speech, he ordered all members of The Gambia’s armed forces to remain in their barracks.

    “Those found illegally holding arms will be considered rebels,” he warned.

    Western ambassadors to Senegal, the UN envoy for West Africa and top officials from the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) attended the ceremony. Hundreds of Gambian expatriates gathered outside the compound.

    Nigeria’s fighter jets were yesterday conducting “armed reconnaissance air force over Gambia.

    “They have the capacity to strike,” Nigerian Air Force spokesman Ayodele Famuyiwa told the French news agency AFP.

    The Nation’s source who is embedded with the Nigerian forces said the mood of the troops was upbeat.

    The troops are camped at Base Aeriene Amee De L’air Senegal where they are supporting other countries to plan logistics in case of a military action.

    The source said: “Troops deployed by other countries are stationed in different locations, particularly close to the border between Senegal and The Gambia for easy advancement in the event of any call for military action.

    “The morale of the troops is high with an expectation to quell any insurrection in Gambia while our air assets conducting surveillance over Gambia and neighbouring countries,” he said.

    In Banjul, it was eerily quiet. Most streets were deserted; shops, petrol stations and banks were closed. People were mostly staying indoors, uncertain about what might happen.

    In some areas, men were standing on the roadside, arms crossed or looking at their phones. Some told reporters they were waiting for President Jammeh to go and would take to the streets once Barrow was sworn in.

  • UN backs Adama Barrow

    UN backs Adama Barrow

    The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to back Gambia’s new President, Adama Barrow and called for a peaceful transition of power.

    The resolution called on former president Yahya Jammeh “to carry out a peaceful and orderly transition process,’’ and to transfer power to Barrow in accordance with the Gambian constitution.

    The UN resolution called for support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) “in its commitment to ensuring the respect of the will of the people as expressed in the results of the December 1, 2016, elections.’’

    Barrow is the 3rd President of The Gambia.

    He was sworn in as President of The Gambia at a ceremony in the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, today, having won the presidential election of December 1, 2016.

  • Senegalese troops enter Gambia as UN affirms Barrow

    Senegalese troops enter Gambia as UN affirms Barrow

    Senegalese troops on Thursday afternoon reportedly moved across the border into The Gambia following the swearing in of Adama Barrow as the country’s new president.

    The  army spokesman, Colonel Abdoul Ndiaye according to agency reports  said after the UN Security Council is backing the  West African efforts to ensure that the country’s defeated leader Yahya Jammeh hands over power.

    The UN Security Council has affirmed that Barrow is now the President of The Gambia.

    The 15 members of the Security Council voted unanimously in favour of Resolution 2337, 2017 on the situation in The Gambia.

    The Ambassadors of France, UK and Senegal on the Security Council also briefed UN Correspondents, saying that should Barrow request for military assistance to enable him function as President, he shall be legitimately granted.

    The Council further directed ex- President Yahya Jammeh, for the umpteenth time, to peacefully tranfer power to Barrow to avoid the dire consequences of his continued actions.

     

  • Nigerian Army deploy troops to Gambia

    Troops from the Nigerian Army on Thursday arrived Dakar in Senegal as part of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) standby Force with the aim to enforce the December 1, 2016 election in The Gambia. The Nigerian troops will join others from Ghana and Senegal.

     Earlier in the week, the Nigerian Navy had moved the new Navy war Ship NNS UNITY to Senegal while the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) also deployed to the tiny West African Country.

     In a statement by the Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, the deployment is in line with the decisions of ECOWAS leaders. He said it will also prevent the breakdown of law and order in the country.

     Abubakar said:  “The ECOWAS have unanimously decided in their meeting to use the ECOWAS Standby Force for deployment in the Gambia with the Nigerian Military participation. The aim is to implement the decision of ECOWAS leaders in upholding the result of the Presidential election held in The Gambia on the 1 of December 2016.

     “It could be recalled that the ECOWAS leaders led by our noble President His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari made series of spirited efforts to resolve the impasse amicably but all diplomatic efforts by the ECOWAS and other world leaders were rebuffed by outgoing President of the Gambia Haj Yahya Jammeh.

     “Accordingly, in line with this the Nigerian military will deploy its assets as part of ECOWAS standby force to protect the people of the Gambia and maintain sub regional peace and security.  Additionally, it will also protect and sustain the democratic norms in the sub-region.  This will also forestall the breakdown of law and order in the Gambia and the sub-region in general.”

  • Barrow sworn in as Gambian president, calls for unity

    Barrow sworn in as Gambian president, calls for unity

    Mr Adama Barrow was on Thursday sworn in as the third president of The Gambia in an inauguration which took place in the country’s embassy in Senegal.

    President of the Gambian Bar Association, Sherrif Tambadou, conducted the exercise as Barrow took the oath of office.

    Barrow was relocated to Dakar by the ECOWAS Mediation Team led by Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ousted Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, who had earlier conceded defeat in the Dec. 1 presidential election, but later rejected the result of the poll, has yet to vacate office in spite of regional and international intervention.

    Barrow, in his inaugural speech, said that there was no loser in the elections and called for national unity among all citizens.

    He also urged personnel of the Gambian Armed Forces to remain loyal to the Constitution.

    “As Commander-in-Chief, I call on all personnel of the armed forces and other security agencies to be loyal to the Constitution and the Republic.

    “As their Commander-in-Chief, I command all members of the Armed Forces to remain in the barracks and those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my command shall be considered rebels,” he said.

    The president also said that his administration had developed a think-tank to put in place inclusive development, and urged all Gambians to “join hands to effect the change that will bring liberty and prosperity to everyone”.

    He commended the efforts of ECOWAS, African Union, United Nations and the international community for the efforts made to support the will of the Gambian people.

    The inauguration ceremony was attended by ECOWAS Commission President, Marcel de Souza, ECOWAS Parliament President, Moustapha Cisse Lo and ECOWAS Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs Alima Ahmed.

    The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UN Office for West Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, was also present at the ceremony.

    Members of the diplomatic community were also represented. (NAN)

     

  • Senators fault Gambia’s deployment without approval

    Senators fault Gambia’s deployment without approval

    The deployment of Nigerian troops to The Gambia without the express approval of the Senate came under the search light of the Senate on Wednesday.
     
    Some Senators said it was a breach of the Constitution for President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy soldiers to The Gambia to force President Yahya Jammeh, without notifying and obtaining the consent of the National Assembly.
     
    Nigeria has already dispatched warships and fighter jets for a possible military intervention in The Gambia to force President Jammeh whose tenure ended 12 mid night yesterday out of office.
     
    Senator Chukwuka Utazi, (Enugu North) who relied on Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule and Section 5(4), of the 1999 Constitution as amended, said that President Buhari erred by deploying troops outside the shores of the country without seeking Senate consent.
     
    Utazi said: “ECOWAS countries have been discussing the political crisis in The Gambia. But to ask that this country will go on warfare in another country without a recourse to the constitutional provision is an affront on the 1999 Constitution. It is a breach of the constitution and we have failed. Let it be on record that the National Assembly has to be informed properly in writing.”
     
    According to Utazi, Section 5(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended stated that “The President shall not declare a state of war between the Federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both Houses of the National Assembly sitting in a joint session
     
    “Except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the Federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.”
     
    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, faulted Utazi’s position.
     
    Saraki noted that Buhari was still within the confines of the law.
     
    The Senate President said that the Constitution protects President Buhari to deploy troops, as long as the operation does not exceed seven days.
     
    Relying on Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Saraki noted that until the expiration of seven days, it would be wrong to fault the action of President Buhari.
     
    Saraki argued: “The point made is noted, but the explanation concerning the constitution is confusing. I believe the constitution gives room for the president, within seven days for such an action to come before us.” 
     
    Section 5(5) reads: “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, the President, in consultation with the National Defence Council, may deploy members of the armed forces of the Federation on a limited combat duty outside Nigeria if he is satisfied that the national security is under imminent threat or danger. Provided that the President shall within seven days of actual combat engagement, seek the consent of the Senate and the Senate shall thereafter give or refuse the said consent within fourteen days.‎”
     
    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu countered.
     
    Ekweremadu warned that it would be wrong to undermine the institution of the Senate.
     
    He noted that weakening the institution of the Senate would amount to setting a bad precedence will hurt the Senate in the future.
     
    Relying on Section 5(4)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Ekweremadu insisted that the President cannot deploy troops outside the country without any prior approval from the National Assembly.
     
    Section 5(4)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended reads: “Except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the Federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.”
     
    “This has nothing to do with war and we are not at war with anybody, but for you to send the Nigerian armed forces outside Nigeria, this Senate must be told. But it is happening in The Gambia. They need the approval of the Senate because that is not war. 
     
    “War comes in when you are talking about section 5 of the constitution and the president does not need our approval. He can go to war on our behalf and come back later. But for you to deploy them to The Gambia, you must seek the approval of the Senate.”
     
    The Senate did not take any official position on the matter as Saraki foreclosed further contributions.
     
    The Senate President did not also rule on the constitutional matter raised by Utazi and Ekweremadu.
  • NAF jets in air surveillance over Gambia

    NAF jets in air surveillance over Gambia

    ……as HQ sets up committee on accidental bombing
    Nigerian Air Force  Augusta LUH and Beechrats jets have begun air surveillance over Gambia in preparation for military action.
    The Nation’s reliable source who is embedded with Nigerian forces said the mood of the troops is upbeat and ready.
    The troops are currently at Base Aeriene Amee De L’air Senegal where they are supporting other countries to plan logistics in case of a military action.
    The source said: “Troops deployed by other countries are stationed in different locations, particularly close to the border between senegal and Gambia for easy advancement in the event of any call for military action.
    “We learnt that some diplomatic stuffs are still ongoing, but if it failed there may be deployment of troops and possible air strike on the logistics base of the Jammeh. For now, the land and air component are on full alert and standby.
    ” The morale of the troops is high with expectation to quell and insurrection in Gambia while our Air assets conducting surveillance over Gambia and neighbouring countries,” he said.
    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has constituted a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike on 17 January 2017 at Rann, Borno State.
    Among its terms of reference, the Board is to determine the immediate and remote causes as well as the circumstances that led to the incident.
    This is with a view to forestall future occurrence. In addition to a list of 20 witnesses given to it, the Board is free to invite other persons to give evidence on oath. The Board is to submit its report not later than 2 February 2017.
    2. The 6-man Board is headed by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF), Air Vice Marshal Salihu Bala-Ribah. Other members are: Air Vice Marshal Charles Oghomwen, Air Commodore Ayoola Jolasinmi, Group Captain Essien Efanga, Wing Commander Solomon Irmiya and Wing Commander Mohammed Muazu.
  • Gambia: Botswana dumps Jammeh as President

    Gambia: Botswana dumps Jammeh as President

    The Government of Botswana has declared that it no longer recognises Yahya Jammeh as President of the Gambia as his tenure expires.

    This is contained in a press statement issued on Thursday, following the refusal of Jammeh to hand over power to the President-elect Adama Barrow, in accordance with the expressed will of the Gambian people in the December 1, 2016, Presidential election.

    This decision which takes effect immediately makes Botswana the first African country to withdraw its supports and identification of Jammeh as Gambian president.

    Botswana’s announcement on Thursday through its social media platforms (Twitter & Facebook) is in consistency with its position as articulated through the Press Release of December 16, 2016.

     

    In the statement, Botswana’s government said: “Mr Jammeh’s decision not to respect the will of the Gambian people undermines the ongoing efforts to consolidate democracy and good governance in The Gambia and Africa as a whole. This is also in direct contravention of the spirit and aspirations of the African Union Constitutive Act.

    “The Government of Botswana, therefore, continues to appeal to the international community to do all within its power to exert pressure on Mr Jammeh to hand over power in order to ensure a smooth transition.”

    Although, Barrow’s inauguration is due to hold in a ceremony in The Gambia today, but Mr Jammeh has imposed a state of emergency and parliament has controversially extended his term by 90 days.

    Thus, Barrow, who insisted on his swearing in has said the ceremony will hold at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

     


    Statement on Facebook Reads:

    Botswana Statement on Jammeh

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