Headstrong Jammeh declares state of emergency over foreign interference

Long-serving Gambian President Yahya Jammeh seems really desperate to hold onto power after declaring a state of emergency.

He cited undue foreign interference in the recently staged December 1st polls which he lost to his exiled opponent Adama Barrow as one reason.

While speaking on national TV, Jammeh said the declaration was necessary “due to the unprecedented and extraordinary amount of foreign inference in the December 1 presidential elections and also in the internal affairs of The Gambia”.

Read also: Gambia: Tension heightens as 4 ministers resign

Jammeh who took over power as a young army officer in a 1994 military coup and was elected as President in 1996; said the situation had created an “unwarranted hostile atmosphere, threatening the sovereignty, peace, security and stability of the country,” he added.

The Gambian constitution provides that a state of emergency lasts seven days if the president declares it unilaterally but up to 90 days if the national assembly confirms it.

 

 

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