Foreign

Gambian President, Jammeh Declares State of Emergency

Published

7 years ago

January 17, 2017

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh on Tuesday declared a state of emergency, citing foreign interference in a presidential election he lost to opponent Adama Barrow last month.

The declaration was necessary “due to the unprecedented and extraordinary amount of foreign inference in the December 1 presidential elections and also in the internal affairs of The Gambia,” Jammeh said on state television.

This had created an “unwarranted hostile atmosphere, threatening the sovereignty, peace, security and stability of the country,” he added.

According to the Gambian constitution, a state of emergency lasts seven days if the president declares it unilaterally but up to 90 days if the national assembly confirms it.

According to Gambian state radio and TV, the state of emergency will be for 90 days.

Also, according to an “Order paper” tagged, “Fourth Assembly”, with sub-title, “First extraordinary session ” and dated 17th January 2017, the order sought a 90 days stay of a proclamation of a state of emergency in the country effective from 17th January to 17th April, 2017.

It read thus:

“Be it resolved that this August assembly do consider and approve a resolution

Details soon….