Defeated Gambian President Rejects Election Result, Calls for New Vote

"It is time he go and we thank him for everything he has done for the country," Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow countered Friday.

By Doug G. Ware, UPI

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh on Friday said he rejects the result of the country's presidential election earlier this month, in which he lost to challenger Adama Barrow after 22 years in power. File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI | License Photo

BANJUL, Gambia, (UPI) -- Ousted Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is making it clear he isn't going to relinquish 22 years of power without a fight.

The recently-defeated premier said on state television Friday that he rejects the result of the presidential election -- citing "unacceptable abnormalities" -- and demanded a fresh vote.

"After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election," he said. "I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process.

"I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission."

How to destroy a legacy

Last week - "Allah is telling me my time is up and I hand over graciously with gratitude toward the Gambian people and gratitude toward you," Jammeh said to the president-elect, as reported by AP.

Apparently Allah has changed his mind! Or did Jammeh suddenly decide not to listen to Allah? Or could it be the hordes of corrupt people around him who have no desire to retire and enjoy the fruits of their deceit? Allah was much more grace-full last week when Jammeh was set to raise the bar on peaceful transition of government in Gambia. Alas, money, or pride, or power has caused him to abandon his ethics and void the people's obvious choice. Nothing good can come from this and the blood spilt will all be on Jammeh's hands. He will be remembered as a greedy, selfish autocrat who cared only for himself and not the Gambian people.

Jammeh lost to challenger Adama Barrow on Dec. 1 by winning less than 40 percent of the vote. Barrow was supported by more than 45 percent of voters, many of whom are itching for new leadership after more than two decades of Jammeh's rule.

"I have been declared the winner and the incumbent President Jammeh has congratulated me, which I think is a move in the right direction," Barrow told Gambia's Daily Observer Friday.

"We have to be patient because nothing will come easy and nothing is automatic," he added. "We are ready and we will work round the clock to make a difference but we are calling on every Gambians to put hands on deck. It is through hard work that we can achieve a better Gambia."

Jammeh, 51, took power in Gambia during a 1994 military coup and has presided over a government that has regularly drawn international criticism over a spate of issues -- including human rights abuses and systemic oppression.

The president has also been condemned for his advocacy for violence against the Gambian gay community. He said last year, "If you do it (homosexuality) I will slit your throat. If you are a man and want to marry another man in this country and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again."

Barrow, 51, is scheduled to assume office next month.

Jammeh initially accepted the election defeat and was expected to concede. Friday's remarks, though, indicate he won't easily release his grip on the presidency.

"We should all put personal issues aside and Gambia is the most important thing, which I think President Jammeh has demonstrated," Barrow said. "He has been here for 22 years working for Gambia and we have to commend him for that, but it is time he go and we thank him for everything he has done for the country."

Antiestablishmentarianism Hits Africa; President Concedes Gracefully

The marbles have spoken: Gambians party after voting out 22yr ruler in shock election upset

    Supporters of president-elect Adama Barrow dance on a poster of incumbent President Yahya
    Jammeh during celebrations of Barrow's election victory in Banjul, Gambia, December 2, 2016.
   © Thierry Gouegnon / Reuters

Gambians are dancing on the streets after they dropped their marbles and voted out the long-term autocratic president Yahya Jammeh in a shock election, making former UK-based security guard Adama Barrow the new president of Gambia.

Barrow gained 45.5 percent of the vote, which is cast by putting a marble into a colored drum for the choice candidate, against Jammeh's 36.7 percent, according to Reuters. 

   A poll worker counts votes cast by marbles after the close of voting during the presidential
   election in Banjul, Gambia, December 1, 2016. © Thierry Gouegnon / Reuters

Jammeh, who had ruled Gambia for 22 years, conceded defeat in the election on state television Friday night and vowed not to contest the result in a phone call to Barrow.

"Allah is telling me my time is up and I hand over graciously with gratitude toward the Gambian people and gratitude toward you," Jammeh said to the president-elect, as reported by AP.

Election Commission chairman Alieu Momarr Njai earlier told reporters that Jammeh would accept defeat, adding that it's "very unique" that the president would do that after so many years in power, according to All Africa.

This would be the first peaceful transition of power in the West African nation’s history since it gained independence from the UK in 1965.

The news has brought massive crowds onto the streets of the Gambian capital, Banjul, dancing and cheering in an impromptu celebration of Barrow’s victory.

Before the election Jammeh, who previously vowed to rule the nation for "a billion years," predicted he would win the vote.

He gained power in 1994 as a result of a coup and has been accused by rights groups of human rights violations including torture and forced disappearances of political opponents and journalists.

Jammeh’s government shut down access to the internet and international calls on the evening before the election, prompting an outcry that it was a tactic to suppress freedom of expression. They also warned that no protests would be allowed after the election.

If Gambia is like most African countries we can assume that the President makes considerably more money than his salary would allow. Perhaps he's decided it's time to just chill-out and enjoy all the money he's stashed away in Swiss banks. At any rate, his stepping down might be the biggest act of democracy Gambia has ever seen. Let's hope and pray Barrow tolerates no corruption and brings about some prosperity for his people.

Amnesty International called the blackout “unjustified” and a “crude attack on the right to freedom of expression in Gambia.”

    Supporters of president-elect Adama Barrow celebrate Barrow's election victory in Banjul, 
    Gambia, December 2, 2016. © Thierry Gouegnon / Reuters

Barrow, 51, has two wives and five children and has vowed to bring the country back from the brink and restore human rights and true democracy in the nation. Eight opposition parties united behind Barrow during the campaign.

Barrow is a real estate agent and previously worked as a security guard at British retailer Argos in a north London store. He is also reported to be a fan of Arsenal football club.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has taken to Twitter to congratulate the small African nation on its momentous decision.

    Gambia is the smallest country in Africa, just a sliver carved out of Senegal.