The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yahya Jammeh

  • Barrow’s party wins Gambia parliamentary election

    Barrow’s party wins Gambia parliamentary election

    Gambian President Adama Barrow’s United Democratic Party (UDP) has won Thursday’s parliamentary election, taking 31 seats in the 53-member parliament, the electoral commission announced Friday.

    Former president Yahya Jammeh’s Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) came second alongside Gambia Democratic Congress, a party formed by a former lawmaker in Jammeh’s regime.

    The two parties took five seats each.

    The election of a new parliament was seen as an important step towards establishing a democracy after more than two decades of Jammeh’s autocratic rule in the West African nation.

    The poll – the country’s first election since Jammeh went into exile in January, saw 239 candidates from nine political parties competing for 48 seats in the national assembly.

    Five additional seats will be appointed by Barrow, who took power on Jan. 19.

    It was hoped in the nation of 1.8 million people that the legislative election will provide Gambia with a functional national assembly that will help amend the wrongs committed during Jammeh’s regime.

     

  • Gambians go to the poll to elect parliament

    Gambians were Thursday voting for a new parliament to further establish democracy in the West African nation after more than two decades of autocratic rule.

    During the poll, the country’s first election since autocrat Yahya Jammeh went into exile in January, 239 candidates from nine political parties were competing for 48 seats in the national assembly.

    Five additional seats would be appointed directly by President Adama Barrow, who took power on Jan. 19.

    Report says there is much hope in the nation of 1.8 million people that the legislative election will provide Gambia with a functional national assembly that will help amend the wrongs committed during Jammeh’s regime.

    “Jammeh, who ruled the Islamic Republic for 22 years with an iron fist, is widely accused of human rights violations, including torture and arbitrary arrests,’’ it noted.

    The autocrat caused weeks of political impasse by refusing to accept the result of the December 2016 presidential election, which saw him lose power to Barrow.

    After regional pressure and the threat of arrest by West African troops that had entered Gambia, Jammeh eventually conceded defeat and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea.

    Barrow promised to set up a truth and reconciliation commission to ensure justice and reparations for the victims of Jammeh’s government.

    The European Union has sent 50 election monitors to observe Thursday’s polls.

    In addition, 20 observers from the Economic Community of West African States and 30 observers from the African Union were monitoring the election.

    Polling stations are scheduled to close at 1600 GMT, while results are expected on Friday.

  • Gambia to probe Jammeh’s finances

    Gambia’s Government will launch an investigation into the finances of former President Yahya Jammeh, Justice Minister, Aboubacarr Tambadou, told Reuters on Friday.

    The minister said the investigation would include his personal use of a charity bank account.

    The government of President Adama Barrow, who beat Jammeh in a December election before Jammeh fled into exile, had accused the ex- President of siphoning millions of dollars in public money into various bank accounts.

    The government also alleged that Jammeh opened the accounts with other peoples’ names but continued to withdraw cash, including at the central bank.

    Reuters found that in 2012 and 2013, more than $8 million was withdrawn by Jammeh himself from a bank account in the name of Jammeh Foundation for Peace, a charity founded by the ex- President.

    The justice minister said “we are setting up a commission of inquiry to look into Jammeh’s financial and business related activities.

    “We will absolutely look into the Jammeh Foundation as part of this inquiry.’’

    He said the inquiry would begin in the next few months and would be carried out in conjunction with the finance ministry.

     

     

  • President Barrow endorses ‘one China’ policy

    President Barrow endorses ‘one China’ policy

    President Adama Barrow of Gambia has endorsed the “one China” policy and said it would not establish any official relations or contacts with Taiwan, continuing a policy adopted in March 2016 by the government of former leader Yahya Jammeh.

    The policy affirms the Chinese position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it.

    Senior Gambian government official said in a statement that Taiwan made informal contacts with the new government in an attempt to secure a change of policy.

    Senior Chinese officials attended new president Barrow’s swearing-in ceremony.

    It added that for years, China and Taiwan have tried to poach each other’s allies, often dangling generous aid packages in front of leaders of developing nations.

    The statement quoted the officials as saying: “the government shall remain resolute in upholding the one China policy and fully support all efforts by the Chinese government to unify its rightful territory.”

    Barrow defeated Jammeh in an election in December. Jammeh had held power for 22 years and only stepped down in January as thousands of West African troops who had entered the country were poised to enter the capital.

    China resumed ties with former Taiwan ally Gambia in March last year. São Tomé and Príncipe followed and switched recognition to Beijing in December.

    In Africa, only Burkina Faso and Swaziland now recognise Taiwan, viewed by China as a wayward province to be recovered by force if necessary.

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”Barrow” count=”8″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link”]

  • Gambia: Jammeh was ready for war – Troop commander

    Gambia: Jammeh was ready for war – Troop commander

    The Nigerian Air Force’ (NAF) contingent to The Gambia yesterday disclosed that ousted ruler Yayha Jammeh was ready for war but for the intimidating air power deployed by the subregion.
    Leader of the contingent, Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf stated this in Lagos after the arrival of 77 airmen and 20 officers, who were among the over 200 personnel sent to country to deploy force and install the  country’s democratically elected President Adama Barrow.
    With the different NAF air lifts and aircrafts flying over, as well as that of other countries, The Gambian military were said to have downed their weapons for fear of retribution, given the small strength of their military power.
    They arrived in NAF 918 C-130 aircraft and two Alpha Jets at about 6:18pm and landed the 203 NAF Airlift Group.
    According to Yusuf, what they saw at the state house in The Gambia and Jammeh’s country home showed he was ready to die and even cause the death of innocent people.
    The contingent was received by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum, on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.
    Yusuf said: “We conducted the operation with deterrence and diplomacy. When we gained access to the state house, from what we saw, Jammeh was prepared for war.
    “But for the airpower that we showed, as we were the first country to show up at The Gambia, he would not have stepped down.
    “For now, we have won the battle but it’s left for the political leaders to win the peace and stabilise the country. The forces we left there are to basically stabilise The Gambia and integrate their forces in the security arrangement.
    “They will continue to be there until stability is achieved and the ECOWAS leaders decide that all security forces of other nations stand down.”
    Asked if any casualty was recorded, Yusuf said no, adding that they have advised Barrow on how to sustain the peace and stability achieved in The Gambia.
    While receiving the contingent Abubakar said the NAF would have applied force if Jammeh hadn’t opted to back down, adding that they were prepared for it.
    He stated that the troops left behind would remain there to ensure stability, adding that others would arrive today.
    He said: “Prior to your departure, the CAS addressed and emplored you to represent Nigeria well. Thus, the discipline and professional conduct you all maintained was highly commendable and worthy of mention.
    “Also, your cooperation with sister services and other military forces of other ECOWAS countries is also commendable. We are glad that democratic order has been maintained in The Gambia and stability achieved through your efforts. You have proven to be good ambassadors of NAF and made Nigeria proud.
    “Note that the ability of NAF to provide Airpower at home and project same seamlessly in other countries is an achievement buoyed by the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.
    “Yes, we would have applied force to restore peace. We went with our fighting forces.”
    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” tag=”Gambia” count=”8″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link”]
  • Photos: Nigeria’s military contingent to Gambia returns

    Photos: Nigeria’s military contingent to Gambia returns

    NGR Troop from Gambia

     

    NGR Troop from Gambia1

  • President of Gambia Barrow arrives Banjul

    President of Gambia Barrow arrives Banjul

    Several elated Gambians took to the streets on Thursday to welcome home President Adama Barrow, who was elected in December 2016 presidential election but was forced to flee to Senegal when his predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, refused to step aside.

    Barrow arrived Banjul, the Gambian Capital city on Thursday with heavily armed troops from Nigeria and Senegal standing by as he flew in from neighbouring Senegal, where he had been taking shelter since January 15.

    Accompanied by his two wives and his children, Barrow was welcomed by military officials and senior members of his coalition government.

    Barrow arrives

    Barrow-arrives-Gambia2

    Barrow arrives Banjul

    Barrow arrives Gambia

    Barrow arrives the Gambia

    [feature_slider display=”tag” tag=”Gambia” count=”8″ caption=”on” nav=”thumbs” animation=”crossfade” easing=”easeInOutCubic” timeout=”200″ arrows=”on”]

  • Gambians welcome Barrow home

    Gambians welcome Barrow home

    President Adams Barrow of The Gambia has confirmed that he is back to the country.

    Barrow confirmed this on his twitter handle, @adama_barrow, on Thursday.

    He tweeted: “I’m finally home. #Gambia”.

    Reuters earlier reported that hundreds of people gathered along the streets of Gambia’s capital Banjul to welcome home the new president after former President Yahya Jammeh went into exile under pressure from regional leaders.

    Gambians were seen along wide avenues leading to the airport, wearing T-shirts with Barrow’s picture blowing whistles, drumming and singing in the Fula language.

    “We welcome you our president, our hope, our solution.”

    Barrow won the Dec. 1 election, but Jammeh refused to step down, forcing his opponent to be inaugurated at the Gambian Embassy in Senegal.

    Jammeh departed The Gambia for Equatorial Guinea on Saturday night after final mediation efforts by presidents Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania and Alpha Condé of Guinea.

    Thousands of soldiers from the ECOWAS sub-regional bloc were poised to remove him by force after his 22-year rule.

    The ECOWAS Commission President, Marcel de Souza on Tuesday said the coalition force in The Gambia would remain for the next six months, as requested by Barrow.

    De Souza, however, said that retaining troops in that country would be decided by the Chiefs of Army Staff.

  • Gambia’s National Assembly revokes state of emergency

    Gambia’s National Assembly revokes state of emergency

    Gambia’s National Assembly on Tuesday revoked a state of emergency declared by Former Leader Yahya Jammeh in an attempt to stay in power.

    The move comes shortly before President Adama Barrow is expected to return to Gambia from neighbouring Senegal, where he sought refuge for security reasons.

    West African troops were meanwhile securing the capital, Banjul, in preparation for Barrow’s arrival.

    Jammeh, who ruled the small West African nation for 22 years with an iron fist, caused weeks of political impasse when he refused to step down after losing the Dec.  1 presidential election to Barrow.

    Jammeh left for Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, after weeks of pressure from West African leaders to step down. (dpa/NAN)

  • Jammeh not granted immunity – Barrow’s aide

    Former Gambian leader, Yahya Jammeh, has not been granted immunity from prosecution, a member of President Adama Barrow’s coalition said on Monday.

    Barrow rejected a proposal by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to protect Jammeh from prosecution, Mai Fatty, an executive member of the coalition, said.

    Senegal’s foreign minister Mankeur Ndiaye confirmed “no deal’’ had been negotiated with Jammeh, who ruled the small West African nation for 22 years with an iron fist, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Jammeh, who has lived in exile in Equatorial Guinea since Saturday, stands accused by the coalition of having stolen some $12 million out of state coffers during the standoff that followed his December 1 election defeat.

    His government was also widely accused of corruption, human rights abuses and an incessant crackdown on the opposition.

    Barrow has said he plans to establish a commission to investigate potential wrongdoing by Jammeh, who spent weeks trying to overturn the result of the presidential election.

    The ex-leader eventually stepped down after pressure from West African leaders, with West African troops entering Gambia to force his hand.

    Throngs of Gambians meanwhile returned home from neighbouring Senegal on Monday, hours after ECOWAS troops secured the capital Banjul and took control over the seat of the Government House.