By Alhagie Jobe in Dakar
West African leaders gathered for a regional summit in the Senegalese capital, Dakar have urged the Gambia’s security forces to avoid use of ‘excessive’ force against citizens and respect their democratic rights in the republic.
In a final communiqué issued at the end of the 49th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened Saturday in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, the leaders called on the Gambia government and the opposition to engage in a frank dialogue without delay and encouraged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to develop a roadmap that will be agreed by all stakeholders in the electoral process.
ECOWAS leaders also instructed the Commission to deploy a pre-election technical mission to The Gambia as soon as possible to assess the electoral process. “We also call on the government and the National Assembly of the Gambia to engage in reforms and organize an inclusive election that will be free and credible” the communiqué stated.
The ECOWAS Heads of State further welcomed the opening of the borders between The Gambia and Senegal, inviting the two countries to continue dialogue while adhering strictly to the principles of free movement of people and goods.
