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Gambia’s President, in Power 22 Years, Loses Election Gambia’s President, in Power 22 Years, Loses Election
(35 minutes later)
BANJUL, Gambia — Yahya Jammeh, the president of Gambia, has been defeated in his bid for re-election, a stunning turn for a nation that for more than two decades has lived under what human rights groups have described as a repressive regime. BANJUL, Gambia — Yahya Jammeh, the president of Gambia, has been defeated in his bid for re-election, a stunning turn for a nation that has lived for more than two decades under what human rights groups have described as a repressive regime.
The electoral commission officially declared Adama Barrow the winner Friday morning, the day after voters cast ballots, an upset victory that astonished observers. Mr. Jammeh, who had said he would stay in power for a billion years if God wanted, was expected to make a public statement later on Friday. The electoral commission officially declared Adama Barrow the winner on Friday morning, the day after voters cast ballots, in an upset victory that astonished observers. Mr. Jammeh, who had said he would stay in power for a billion years if God wanted, was expected to make a public statement later on Friday.
Mr. Barrow won 46 percent of the vote, and Mr. Jammeh’s 37 percent. Mr. Barrow won 46 percent of the vote, and Mr. Jammeh 37 percent.
People celebrated in the streets, calling it a new era in Gambia, with some chanting, “One Gambia, one love, one family.” People celebrated in the streets, calling it a new era in the West African country, with some chanting, “One Gambia, one love, one family.”
Early in the morning, one of Mr. Jammeh’s cabinet ministers appeared on state television urging Gambians “to go on their normal businesses and stay calm until final results are announced.”Early in the morning, one of Mr. Jammeh’s cabinet ministers appeared on state television urging Gambians “to go on their normal businesses and stay calm until final results are announced.”
After more than 24 hours of an internet and phone blackout, networks lit up Friday morning as news that Mr. Jammeh was trailing in the vote count began to trickle out. Gambians overseas who had been too afraid to return under the current president’s rule cheered the news on social media. After more than 24 hours of an internet and phone blackout, networks lit up Friday morning as the news that Mr. Jammeh was trailing in the vote count began to trickle out. Gambians overseas who had been too afraid to return under the current president’s rule cheered the news on social media.
Mr. Jammeh seized power during a coup in 1994, and has become known for eccentric behavior that included claiming to be able to cure AIDS with herbs, prayer and a banana. He has been denounced by human rights groups for threatening to behead homosexuals, ordering so-called sorcerers to be hunted and killed, and arresting and prosecuting journalists and supporters of the opposition.Mr. Jammeh seized power during a coup in 1994, and has become known for eccentric behavior that included claiming to be able to cure AIDS with herbs, prayer and a banana. He has been denounced by human rights groups for threatening to behead homosexuals, ordering so-called sorcerers to be hunted and killed, and arresting and prosecuting journalists and supporters of the opposition.
Two opposition protesters have died in custody, including the main opposition party’s national organizing secretary, Solo Sandeng, who was beaten to death at the National Intelligence Agency in April, according to an Amnesty International report.Two opposition protesters have died in custody, including the main opposition party’s national organizing secretary, Solo Sandeng, who was beaten to death at the National Intelligence Agency in April, according to an Amnesty International report.
Mr. Barrow led a coalition of opposition groups that gelled in the final days of the campaign. This week, enthusiasm swept the streets of Banjul, the capital, as people gathered in the hundreds for peaceful protests, crying out for the end to what they said was an oppressive regime.Mr. Barrow led a coalition of opposition groups that gelled in the final days of the campaign. This week, enthusiasm swept the streets of Banjul, the capital, as people gathered in the hundreds for peaceful protests, crying out for the end to what they said was an oppressive regime.
Mr. Jammeh’s defeat is a rare turn for longtime leaders on the continent. Many leaders have amassed so much power — and often, wealth — through decades of incumbency that they manage to stay in office until death. Other so-called leaders for life have interfered with elections to cling to power.Mr. Jammeh’s defeat is a rare turn for longtime leaders on the continent. Many leaders have amassed so much power — and often, wealth — through decades of incumbency that they manage to stay in office until death. Other so-called leaders for life have interfered with elections to cling to power.
Mr. Jammeh had himself been accused of keeping power by rigging elections in the past.Mr. Jammeh had himself been accused of keeping power by rigging elections in the past.