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Gambia leader Yahya Jammeh rejects election result Gambia leader Yahya Jammeh rejects election result
(about 3 hours later)
Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh has rejected the result of the presidential election held earlier this month, a week after admitting defeat.Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh has rejected the result of the presidential election held earlier this month, a week after admitting defeat.
Speaking on state TV, Mr Jammeh cited "abnormalities" in the vote and called for fresh elections. Mr Jammeh cited "abnormalities" in the vote and called for fresh elections.
Mr Jammeh, who came to power in a coup in 1994, suffered a shock defeat to Adama Barrow, who won more than 45% of the vote. Mr Jammeh, who took power in a coup in 1994, was defeated by Adama Barrow, who won more than 43% of the vote.
The US "strongly condemned" Mr Jammeh's statement. Mr Barrow accused the incumbent of damaging democracy by refusing to accept the result. His transition team said the president-elect was safe.
"This action is a reprehensible and unacceptable breach of faith with the people of The Gambia and an egregious attempt to undermine a credible election process and remain in power illegitimately," said state department spokesman Mark Toner. The results were revised by the country's electoral commission on 5 December, when it emerged that the ballots for one area were added incorrectly, swelling Mr Barrow's vote.
Mr Barrow, a property developer, is due to take office in late January. Mai Ahmad Fatty, the head of his transition team, told Reuters they were "consulting on what to do", adding: "As far as we are concerned, the people have voted. We will maintain peace and stability and not let anyone provoke us into violence." The error, which also added votes to the other candidates, "has not changed the status quo" of the result, the commission said.
The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, with a population of fewer than two million. However, it narrowed Mr Barrow's margin of victory from 9% to 4%.
Mr Jammeh said that he now rejected the results of the election "in totality".Mr Jammeh said that he now rejected the results of the election "in totality".
"After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election," Mr Jammeh said."After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election," Mr Jammeh said.
"I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process."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.""I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a God-fearing and independent electoral commission."
Uncertain future: Analysis by Thomas Fessy, BBC West Africa correspondentUncertain future: Analysis by Thomas Fessy, BBC West Africa correspondent
Yahya Jammeh appeared on state TV brandishing a document supposedly proving irregularities when the votes were tallied last week.Yahya Jammeh appeared on state TV brandishing a document supposedly proving irregularities when the votes were tallied last week.
Mr Jammeh said the results were unacceptable. He said figures had been transposed swelling the number of votes in favour of his opponent, Adama Barrow, whom he recognised as president-elect live on television after the election results were announced.Mr Jammeh said the results were unacceptable. He said figures had been transposed swelling the number of votes in favour of his opponent, Adama Barrow, whom he recognised as president-elect live on television after the election results were announced.
Yahya Jammeh called for a fresh vote.Yahya Jammeh called for a fresh vote.
Over the past week people have been celebrating the end of his 22-year-long rule but tonight The Gambia's future looks uncertain again.Over the past week people have been celebrating the end of his 22-year-long rule but tonight The Gambia's future looks uncertain again.
The government in neighbouring Senegal condemned the move and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye, speaking on national television, urged President Jammeh to respect the election result.The government in neighbouring Senegal condemned the move and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye, speaking on national television, urged President Jammeh to respect the election result.
The US has "strongly condemned" Mr Jammeh's rejection of the result.
"This action is a reprehensible and unacceptable breach of faith with the people of The Gambia and an egregious attempt to undermine a credible election process and remain in power illegitimately," said state department spokesman Mark Toner.
A Human Rights Watch spokesman also said it was "deeply concerned".A Human Rights Watch spokesman also said it was "deeply concerned".
"The international community, notably [regional bloc] Ecowas and the African Union, should loudly protest any unlawful attempt to subvert the will of the Gambian people," said Babatunde Olugboji, deputy programme director."The international community, notably [regional bloc] Ecowas and the African Union, should loudly protest any unlawful attempt to subvert the will of the Gambian people," said Babatunde Olugboji, deputy programme director.
The streets of the capital, Banjul, were reported to be calm on Friday night although soldiers were seen placing sandbags in strategic locations across the city, AFP news agency reports.The streets of the capital, Banjul, were reported to be calm on Friday night although soldiers were seen placing sandbags in strategic locations across the city, AFP news agency reports.
Only last week, Mr Jammeh was shown on state TV calling Mr Barrow to wish him well.Only last week, Mr Jammeh was shown on state TV calling Mr Barrow to wish him well.
"You are the elected president of The Gambia, and I wish you all the best. I have no ill will," he said at the time."You are the elected president of The Gambia, and I wish you all the best. I have no ill will," he said at the time.
According to the electoral commission, the result of the vote on 1 December was: According to the electoral commission, the revised results of the vote on 1 December was:
Mr Barrow, a property developer, is due to take office in late January.
The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, with a population of fewer than two million.
In his 22 years in power, Mr Jammeh acquired a reputation as a ruthless leader.In his 22 years in power, Mr Jammeh acquired a reputation as a ruthless leader.
Ahead of the election, Human Rights Watch accused him of using violence to silence critics. The group said two activists had died in custody and dozens of people had been jailed and denied medical or legal help.Ahead of the election, Human Rights Watch accused him of using violence to silence critics. The group said two activists had died in custody and dozens of people had been jailed and denied medical or legal help.