Gambia President-elect Adama Barrow: Yahya Jammeh must concede
(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.
Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow has called on incumbent Yahya Jammeh to accept defeat in last week's election.
The US and neighbouring Senegal also criticised the statement. Mr Jammeh had initially admitted defeat by his rival Adama Barrow.
President Jammeh initially appeared to concede after results showed he had clearly been defeated, but on Friday said he rejected the results "totally".
Mr Jammeh cited "abnormalities" and called for fresh elections, saying he now rejected the results "totally".
Mr Barrow said the president had "no constitutional authority to reject the results" and demand another election.
Mr Barrow accused the incumbent of damaging democracy.
The African Union (AU) has also condemned Mr Jammeh's latest statement, describing it as "null and void".
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 urged his rival to allow "a smooth transfer of executive powers in the supreme interest of this country".
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%.
President Jammeh's reluctance to accept the result has criticised by the US and neighbouring Senegal.
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 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.
"The chairperson of the commission strongly urges President Yahya Jammeh to facilitate a peaceful and orderly transition and transfer of power," she said.
The US had also urged to Mr Jammeh to accept the results.
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.
According to the electoral commission, the results of the vote on 1 December was:
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.
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.
"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:
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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