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Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh's poll rejection condemned | Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh's poll rejection condemned |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The African Union has described as "null and avoid" Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's rejection of the results of last week's election. | The African Union has described as "null and avoid" Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's rejection of the results of last week's election. |
The US and neighbouring Senegal also criticised the statement. Mr Jammeh had initially admitted defeat by his rival Adama Barrow. | The US and neighbouring Senegal also criticised the statement. Mr Jammeh had initially admitted defeat by his rival Adama Barrow. |
Mr Jammeh cited "abnormalities" and called for fresh elections, saying he now rejected the results "totally". | Mr Jammeh cited "abnormalities" and called for fresh elections, saying he now rejected the results "totally". |
Mr Barrow accused the incumbent of damaging democracy. | Mr Barrow accused the incumbent of damaging democracy. |
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. | 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. |
The error, which also added votes to the other candidates, did not change the outcome but narrowed Mr Barrow's margin of victory from 9% to 4%. | The error, which also added votes to the other candidates, did not change the outcome but narrowed Mr Barrow's margin of victory from 9% to 4%. |
Mr Barrow's spokesperson said the head of the army, General Ousman Badjie, supported the president-elect, having pledged his allegiance after the initial result. | Mr Barrow's spokesperson said the head of the army, General Ousman Badjie, supported the president-elect, having pledged his allegiance after the initial result. |
The BBC's West Africa correspondent, Thomas Fessy, says the main question now is whether the Gambian leader has managed to split the army, retaining a faction ready to back his announcement. | The BBC's West Africa correspondent, Thomas Fessy, says the main question now is whether the Gambian leader has managed to split the army, retaining a faction ready to back his announcement. |
AU chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said Mr Jammeh's latest statement was "null and void" because he had already conceded defeat in the election. | AU chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said Mr Jammeh's latest statement was "null and void" because he had already conceded defeat in the election. |
"The chairperson of the commission strongly urges President Yahya Jammeh to facilitate a peaceful and orderly transition and transfer of power," she said. | "The chairperson of the commission strongly urges President Yahya Jammeh to facilitate a peaceful and orderly transition and transfer of power," she said. |
Senegal's government called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Mr Ndiaye, speaking on national television, urged President Jammeh to respect the election result. | Senegal's government called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Mr Ndiaye, speaking on national television, urged President Jammeh to respect the election result. |
US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: "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." | US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: "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." |
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. |
Mr Jammeh said "serious and unacceptable abnormalities" had been found in the electoral process and demanded "fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a God-fearing and independent electoral commission". | Mr Jammeh said "serious and unacceptable abnormalities" had been found in the electoral process and demanded "fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a God-fearing and independent electoral commission". |
Only last week, the president was shown on state TV calling Mr Barrow to wish him well. | Only last week, the president 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 revised results 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. | 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. | 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. |
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