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Gambia President Yahya Jammeh must step down - UN | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh must hand over power after defeat in elections, the UN Security Council has said. | |
President Jammeh initially conceded to Adama Barrow in last week's vote but has since refused to accept the end of his 22-year rule. | |
Mr Barrow said he was sure the military supported him as the country's new leader. | |
The UN added that a handover should come without condition or delay. | |
President Jammeh first seemed to accept the loss but then backtracked and said, on Friday, that he "totally" rejected the result. | |
In a unanimous statement, the UN's 15 council members called on him to "respect the choice of the sovereign people of The Gambia". | |
The president's U-turn was condemned by The African Union (AU), who described his statement as "null and void". | |
His reluctance to step down has also been criticised by the US and neighbouring Senegal. | |
A heavy military presence has been reported in the Gambian capital, Banju, but the streets have remained calm. | |
The BBC's West Africa correspondent, Thomas Fessy, says the main question now is whether President Jammeh has managed to split the army, retaining a faction ready to back his announcement. | |
According to the electoral commission, as a result of the vote on 1 December: | |
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. |