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| Gambian president Yahya Jammeh rejects election result | Gambian president Yahya Jammeh rejects election result |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Gambia’s president Yahya Jammeh has rejectedthe outcome of last week’s election, which he lost to opposition leader Adama Barrow, and called for a fresh vote. | |
| The announcement made on state TV on Friday throws the future of the West African country into doubt after an unexpected election result that ended Jammeh’s 22-year rule and was widely seen as a moment of democratic hope. | |
| “After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election. I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process,” Jammeh said. | “After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election. I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process,” Jammeh said. |
| “I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission,” he said. | “I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission,” he said. |
| Human rights groups have accused Jammeh’s government of detaining, torturing and killing his opponents during his rule. | |
| His defiant announcement came after the chair of the country’s new ruling coalition said Jammeh would be prosecuted for his crimes within a year of handing over the reins of government in January. | |
| Babatunde Olugboji, deputy programme director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, responded to Jammeh’s U-turn on Friday. | |
| “We are deeply concerned by reports of belated objections to the Gambian election results raised by President Jammeh,” he said. | |
| “The international community, notably Ecowas [the Economic Community of West African States] and the African Union, should loudly protest against any unlawful attempt to subvert the will of the Gambian people.” | |
| He also reiterated analysis his group had issued immediately after the election defeat: “Given the Jammeh government’s past record of intimidating and targeting perceived opponents, the transition period also carries risks. | |
| “It is essential that during the political transition Gambian security forces continue to show respect for human rights and the rule of law.” | |
| Jammeh’s defeat sparked wild celebrations last week. But some people also said at the time that they doubted he would accept he had been beaten. | |
| Official election results from the electoral commission gave Barrow, a property developer who once worked as a security guard at retailer Argos in London, 45.5% of the vote against Jammeh’s 36.7%. | Official election results from the electoral commission gave Barrow, a property developer who once worked as a security guard at retailer Argos in London, 45.5% of the vote against Jammeh’s 36.7%. |
| Barrow is set to take over in late January following a transition period, but Jammeh is likely to make strenuous efforts to ensure that does not happen. |