Saturday, June 14, 2025
Home Blog Page 230

Jammeh phoned Sirleaf live on TV begging, calling her ‘My sister’

Fatu Camara
-
0
Jammeh phoned Sirleaf live on TV begging, calling her ‘My sister’

Gambia’s paranoid outgoing President Yahya Jammeh on Sunday made another surprising appearance on national television, this time on live phone call with ECOWAS Chair and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and begging her and the sub-regional body to facilitate the availability of Supreme Court judges to look into his election petition.

Mr Jammeh also reminded Madam Sirleaf of an interlocutory injunction he filed in court against the planned inauguration on the 19th January of President-elect Adama Barrow to be stopped.

The preparedness by Gambians to inaugurate President-elect Barrow on January 19th, despite Jammeh’s defiance prompted gives him sleepless nights prompting his phone called on President Sirleaf.

Mr Jammeh who remained defiant of not stepping down after losing an election is condemned by the international community for such an action and called on him to hand over power peacefully when his term ends on January 19th. So far, the African Union has announced it will cease to recognize him as legitimate president of The Gambia after January 19th when his term expired.

ECOWAS which he earlier insulted and described as bias is mediating the political crisis and had visited the country twice but all efforts failed as Mr Jammeh insisted on his court petition to be respected when he personally refuses to respect the will of the people.

The country’s Chief Justice has already announced that the said petition could not be heard until May as there are no sufficient judges to constitute the Supreme Court which has not been functional for the past two years.

With absolute fear and paranoid on his face, Jammeh who disrespectfully put his phone conversation with President Sirleaf live on State TV, falsely reiterated what he called ‘his continued commitment to the peaceful resolution of our political situation’, netting the confines of our constitution and other laws of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia.

“I want to confirmed to you that I have filed an application for an injunction to restraint Mr Adama Barrow from being sworn in as well as restraint the Chief Justice and any other party from swearing in Mr. Adama Barrow until the application is decided by the Supreme Court of the Gambia and until then the status quo remain” he said.

Mr Jammeh then appealed to the Madam Sirleaf who is the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Governments to help and urgently facilitate the availability of Supreme Court judges before the supposed inauguration date of Adama Barrow on January 19th.

“In our Constitution, the so-called deadline of 19th January 2017 is not cast in stone and all parties shall await the outcome of the decision of Supreme Court” he said.

In reply, President Johnson Sirleaf ordered him to put out a statement and appeal to ECOWAS to that effect saying she will communicate to all leaders as soon as possible. “All we want is peace in The Gambia. Let there be peace and the matter resolve peacefully” Sirleaf told Jammeh who swallowed his pride by replying only “Yes My Sister, thank You Madam, I will do that My Sister”.

Shortly after the phone conversation, Jammeh issued another short statement on national television ‘allaying fears on Gambians that there will be no violence’. He said this matter shall be resolve peacefully and constitutionally.

“I ask all Gambians and those residing in The Gambia to go about their businesses. I assure you all that Inshallah, the Gambia shall remain in peace, security and stability” he concluded.

Meanwhile, thousands of Gambians continue to flee out of the country in the past days to seek refuge in neighbouring Senegal for fear of imminent violence amidst the political impasse.

President-elect Barrow is yet to return to The Gambia after attending the Mali Africa-France Summit. He was diverted to Senegal under ECOWAS request and accepted by President Macky Sall who agreed to host him until the inauguration day of January 19th for his protection.

Kombo Central & Basse MPs vow to boycott Assembly session

Fatu Camara
-
0
Kombo Central & Basse MPs vow to boycott Assembly session

The National Assembly Members for Kombo Central and Basse Constituencies have vowed to boycott the Extra Ordinary Session of the National Assembly slated on Monday, 16th January.

The two independent parliamentarians called on their colleagues to respect the verdict of the Gambian people and abstain from any illegality.

Last Saturday, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly announced that it is convening an extra ordinary Session for 2017 from Monday January 16-18 to discuss and approve issues of national interest, urging all National Assembly members to attend.

“I am not going to be part of anything that will be against the interest of the Gambian people. I am not going to legitimize it. Whatever the outcome of the session would not be the interest of the Gambians,” said Hon. Buba Ayi Sanneh, NAM for Kombo Central.

Honourable Sanneh called on the National Assembly Members of the ruling APRC Party to save their honour and dignity for the last time. He said the noble house of the National Assembly is meant to serve the interest of the Gambian people, adding that they are elected by the Gambian people and should represent their interests.

“Whatever decision we make against the verdict of the Gambian people would be a gross violation of the Constitution,’ Hon. Sanneh said.

Hon. Muhammed Magassey, National Assembly Member for Basse Constituency also said he is not certain to attend the session. ” I am not certain I would not attend the session tomorrow, ” Hon. Magassey said.

The Basse Constituency MP said he does not know the agendas on the table as he was not officially informed. He said he only heard the announcement like any other person.

Meanwhile, its reported that outgoing President Yahya Jammeh allegedly wants to take advantage of his party’s majority in the National Assembly to extend his term that would expires on the 19th January.  But it is also said the National Assembly does not have the Constitutional mandate.

Banjul Mayor Abdoulie Bah Absconds

Fatu Camara
-
0
Banjul Mayor Abdoulie Bah Absconds

 

The Lord Mayor of Banjul, Abdoulie Bah has absconded in the early hours of sunday, January 15. According to family sources, The Lord Mayor  received a tip off from a credible member of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) that out going President, Yahya Jammeh has given directives for his arrest.

Relationship between Jammeh and Mayor Bah turned sour after Bah paid a courtesy call on President Elect Adama Barrow. During that meeting Bah was quoted as saying that President Elect Barrow is the choice of the people, affirming his support for him.

Bah is said to have arrived in a neighboring country where is currently receiving great care from his hosts.

Abdoulie Bah is an independent candidate who has been mayor of the capital since 2013 after winning the ruling party’s candidate.

It could be recalled that Jammeh lost in Banjul during the December 1 polls.

CDS Badjie Receives Holy Communion At Catholic Church

Fatu Camara
-
0
CDS Badjie Receives Holy Communion At Catholic Church

The Chief of Defense Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, General Ousman badjie, Sunday January 15 received holy communion at the Saint Theresa’s catholic church in Kanifing according to eye witnesses. ‘The CDS walked into the church, joined the congregation and later walked to the altar to receive the holy communion’ an eye witness told The Fatu Network this morning from Kanifing.

Many were said to have been shocked upon seeing him at the church at that time of the morning more so receiving a communion. Our sources say it could that the lady who handed it to him does not know he is muslim. The CDS was also given a hand bible to read while he was in church.

The drama that unfolded in Kanifing today got many Christian brothers and sisters shocked and worried about the mental status of CDS Badjie. ‘He has been acting strange recently since his appearance on state TV with loads of ‘Jujus’ around his neck’ a source said.

Ousman Ndow illegally detained at Yundum Barracks

Fatu Camara
-
0
Ousman Ndow illegally detained at Yundum Barracks

 

Ousman Ndown was arrested Thursday, January 9, 2017 at his home by seven personnel of The Gambia Armed Forces. He was whisked away immediately in a waiting vehicle to The Yundum Barracks close to The Banjul International Airport.

Ousman a manager at The Joint Officers Mess in Kotu was recently dismissed from his job without any reason forwarded to him. As part of his job, he was tasked with making bookings for wedding parties, receptions and private parties at the Officer’s Mess located in Kotu. The place referred to as ‘Little America’ was the home of former foreign exchange manger at The Central Bank, Lang Conteh who is currently serving a two year jail term after he fell out with dictator Yahya Jammeh for the second time. The property was seized from him in 2004 after he was charged with economic crime which was said to have caused the state a staggering $74 million US dollars.

Sources say Ousman’s passport and laptop were requested by security personnel Friday but could not confirm whether the items were delivered or not. ‘ I can confirm to you that I saw Ousman last night at the military police section of the Yundum Barracks, but please do not reveal my identity’ a source disclosed.

The Fatu Network is working with security sources to bring you updates on why Ousman Ndow was arrested in the first place and if he has been tortured already by the men who picked him from his home.

US Gov’t officials harassed by security agents

Fatu Camara
-
0
US Gov’t officials harassed by security agents

Security sources have informed The Fatu Network about a diplomatic incident that happened few days ago involving US Government officials and security agents from both The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF).

According to sources, security agents complained about the presence of US government officials in the country who are said to have traveled to Banjul recently on a mission. The agents wanted to know why they are in the country and what their mission is. The officials were said to have been approached at The Coco Ocean Resort and Spa by NIA agents who insisted on knowing why they are in the country,

Officials at the state department were said to have intervened and explained to Gambia Government officials that  the US officials are in the country to work with The US Embassy and that their presence do not have anything to do with the current political situation in the country. ‘The Embassy was almost closed, because The US is not ready to accept Jammeh’s nonsense anymore’ a security source told The Fatu Network

Meanwhile, the said officials are said to have vacated The Coco Ocean and are currently in two different locations within the greater Banjul area. Out going President Jammeh’s insecurity according to a source almost got The US Embassy in Banjul closed.

Camerawoman Who Kicked Migrants on Hungarian Border Gets Probation

Fatu Camara
-
0
Camerawoman Who Kicked Migrants on Hungarian Border Gets Probation

by ALASTAIR JAMIESON:
A camerawoman who was filmed kicking migrants has been sentenced to three years’ probation for disorderly conduct.

Petra Laszlo, who gained worldwide notoriety after the Sept. 8, 2015 incident, told a Hungarian court she became frightened when migrants broke through a police line and rushed forward, jostling members of the media.

The incident occurred near Hungary’s border with Serbia, as thousands of migrants from the Middle East and beyond were traveling on their way to western Europe.

“It was all over within two seconds,” Laszlo said. “Everybody was shouting. It was very frightening.”

However, Judge Illes Nanasi said her behavior “ran counter to societal norms” and said the facts of the case did not support her self-defense claim.

Laszlo, who subsequently fired by internet-based N1 TV, was in tears as she addressed the court via a remote video link on Thursday.

She said she had received death threats after the incident and feared for her safety, Hungary news site Index reported.

The court carried out a frame-by-frame examination of Laszlo’s actions during the 2015 melee, and found she had kicked a young girl and an older boy.

However, it couldn’t establish for certain that she was responsible for tripping Syrian soccer coach Abdul Mohsen, who was later offered a job at a Spanish sports academy.
Laszlo hopes to be cleared on appeal, her attorney, Ferenc Sipos, told The Associated Press.

“It is not a crime if somebody acts to defend herself … she was in danger, and she tried to avert this danger with her actions,” he said.

Nearly 400,000 migrants and refugees passed through Hungary in 2015. The flow slowed to a trickle after Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered razor-wire fences to be built along Hungary’s southern border and beefed up laws to prevent illegal border crossings.

Senegal hosting Barrow until inauguration day

Fatu Camara
-
0
Senegal hosting Barrow until inauguration day

Senegalese President Macky Sall on Saturday in Bamako agreed to accommodate Gambia’s President-elect Adama Barrow in Dakar and provide him security until his inauguration day next week, the Senegalese news agency APS is reporting.

Mr Barrow has since arrived arrived in Dakar early Sunday shortly after midnight, source said.

Mr Barrow’s divertion to Senegal while returning from the 27th France-Africa summit under the theme of partnership, peace and emergence, was at the request of the Chairwoman of the Authority of Heads of States of ECOWAS and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

According to APS, Senegalese President Macky Sall responded favorably to the request of his Liberian counterpart and agreed to host President-elect Barrow until the inauguration day when he will be safely escorted to Banjul and inaugurated officially.

Meanwhile, it is reported that ECOWAS will continue its efforts for a peaceful transfer of power, with the aim of convincing outgoing President Yahya Jammeh to leave power peacefully until on 18th January, the evening of the official end of his mandate.

The sub-regional body tasked Nigerian President Muhammadou Buhari accompanied by Ghana’s former President John Mahama and Liberian Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to mediate the political crisis. They have visited the Gambia on two occasions but both talks failed.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council renewed its request to outgoing President Jammeh to respect the sovereign choice of the people of The Gambia and to transfer the power unconditionally and without delay to the elected President-elect Adama Barrow.

The African Union which supports this mediation also called on outgoing President Jammeh to hand over power peacefully saying it will cease to recognise him as Gambia’s legitimate president as of January 19th, when his term ends.

In a statement issued after its 647th meeting held on 13th January 2017, in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, its Peace and Security Council also warned of “serious consequences in the event that his action causes any crisis that could lead to political disorder, humanitarian and human rights disaster, including loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties”.

ECOWAS chiefs of Defence Staff meet on Gambian political impasse

Fatu Camara
-
0
ECOWAS chiefs of Defence Staff meet on Gambian political impasse

West African military chiefs on Saturday met in the Nigerian capital Abuja as they prepare for a possible military action in The Gambia.

Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin hosted the ECOWAS CDS’s at the Defence Headquarters, (DHQ) Abuja to discuss ways and efforts to mitigate the political impasse in Gambia following the refusal of President Yahya Jammeh to hand over power to the president elect, Adama Barrow after he lost the December 1 2016 election.

While welcoming the participants and ECOWAS officials to DHQ, General Olonisakin expressed the readiness of regional leaders and military commanders to continue the pursuit of dialogue with the political leaders of Gambia and ensure peaceful transition of power in accordance with the Gambian’s constitution and the peoples will.

Notable dignitaries at the event included the chairperson of ECOWAS CDS, General Ziankahn of Liberia, General CH Gueye of Senegal ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs Hajiya Salamatu, Gambian-born Vice President of the Commission, Edward Singhateh, the Ghanian Chief of Defence Staff and Principal Staff Officers from Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force Headquarters.

Due to security reasons, there was no information released at the end of the meeting.

Protect the people, Jammeh’s mandate has ended

Fatu Camara
-
0
Protect the people, Jammeh’s mandate has ended

DR Congo boycott training in bonus row at AFCON

Fatu Camara
-
0
DR Congo boycott training in bonus row at AFCON

The DR Congo squad boycotted their training session on Friday, just three days before their opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The players are protesting over reduced bonus payments for the finals in Gabon as well as payments owed from 2015.

“This has been happening for years and years. We always prepare well but there is always a problem with bonuses,” said Norwich midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu.

DR Congo are scheduled to play Morocco on Monday in their first Group C match.

The Leopards reached the semi-final at the Nations Cup two years ago in Equatorial Guinea and finished in third place.

But the players insist they have yet to receive their financial rewards for the achievement.

DR Congo’s sports minister Willy Bakonga has led a delegation of 100 officials to Gabon to resolve the problems.

He told Congolese radio: “When we arrive we will talk with them (the players). We will be together so there is no problem since the bonuses are already there. We’ll give them to them.”

DR Congo’s Everton winger Yannick Bolasie, who is missing the Nations Cup because of injury said “It is not a great situation because as a player you want to be focused on the first game.

“If three days before the first game you are concerned about not being paid and you are boycotting training, what kind of preparation is that?

“Even once you do get paid you can’t just switch your focus and think everything is all right. You need three or four days to prepare – it is crucial.

“I understand the issues because I have been through it. When I have been with the squad I’ve tried to block it out because I don’t want it to affect my game.

“This is the first time I am seeing the situation it from the outside the outside and it is really disturbing. The government should have sorted the issues so that everything is smooth.

“The player just want to be able to concentrate on the game but they haven’t had the chance to do that.”

Guinea Bissau deny hosts Gabon as Cup of Nations begins

Fatu Camara
-
0
Guinea Bissau deny hosts Gabon as Cup of Nations begins

Minnows Guinea-Bissau made it a memorable start to the Africa Cup of Nations as a late Juary Soares equaliser saw them hold hosts Gabon to a 1-1 draw in Saturday’s opening game.

Soares headed home for the tournament debutants in the 90th minute to cancel out Gabonese poster boy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s opener in the Group A game at the Stade de l’Amitie in capital Libreville.

The final whistle was greeted with jeers from the home support but there was delight for Guinea-Bissau, for whom just being at the tournament is a remarkable achievement.

Four-time winners Cameroon, who have been hit by a raft of withdrawals, and 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso were set to meet at the same venue at 1900 GMT knowing a victory would leave them on top of the section after the opening round of games.

After an opening ceremony in which French rapper Booba was the star turn, Gabonese President Ali Bongo declared the tournament officially open.

Bongo was accompanied by his counterpart from Guinea-Bissau, Jose Mario Vaz, and Issa Hayatou, the veteran head of the Confederation of African Football, at the 40,000-capacity stadium.

There have been calls from opponents of Bongo to boycott the tournament amid a social and political crisis in the central African country of 1.8 million people, and the ground in Libreville was not completely full for the occasion.

Supporters of Jean Ping, who insists he should have won last year’s contested presidential election rather than Bongo, had planned a protest in central Libreville to coincide with the opening game.

Those who wanted to see the host nation get off to a winning start in the 60th anniversary Cup of Nations were to be disappointed.

After a first half that failed to catch fire, Gabon came to life in the second half and opened the scoring in the 52nd minute.

The Guinea-Bissau defence failed to clear their lines and talented winger Denis Bouanga’s low ball to the back post was converted by Borussia Dortmund star Aubameyang, to the delight of the home fans.

However, Gabon began to sit back and Guinea-Bissau had opportunities to equalise towards the end, with Rudinilson Silva and substitute Frederic Mendy both coming close.

They looked to have blown their chance, but they drew level in the final minute, Soares getting in front of Bruno Ecuele Manga to head home Zezinho’s free-kick and allow the ‘wild dogs’ to claim a point from their first ever match at the Cup of Nations finals.

The Cup of Nations features 32 matches and runs until February 5, when the final will be played in Libreville.

Games will also be played in Oyem, Port-Gentil and Franceville, where the Algeria of newly-crowned African player of the year Riyad Mahrez meet outsiders Zimbabwe and Tunisia take on Senegal in Group B on Sunday.

Senegal have never won the Cup of Nations but arrived in Gabon as the top African side in the FIFA rankings and are one of the favourites this time around.

A star-studded side notably containing Liverpool winger Sadio Mane is determined to make up for their poor showing at the last Cup of Nations two years ago in Equatorial Guinea, when they were eliminated in the group stage.

“We have an obligation to make up for what happened. What we did was not great given the expectation of the Senegalese people. We are here to do better than in 2015,” declared skipper Cheikhou Kouyate, of West Ham United, on Saturday.

Reigning champions Ivory Coast begin their defence of the trophy against Togo in Group C on Monday.

AFCON 2017 opens in Gabon

Fatu Camara
-
0
AFCON 2017 opens in Gabon
The Africa Cup of Nations opened Saturday in the Gabonese capital Libreville. It is the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the prestigious continental football competition.
The Africa Cup of Nations 2017 promises to be very interesting as sixteen teams clash in 32 matches to determine the best of the best in the continent.
There was fireworks and gymnastic display at the stadium to usher in the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Top international and African musicians thrilled the continent at the opening ceremony that was watched from the 40,000 seater Stade de l’Amitie by millions of people worldwide.

Franco-Senegalese rapper Booba was the star turn and thrilled spectators at the opening ceremony.

Gabonese President Ali Bongo declared the tournament officially open. He was accompanied by his counterpart from Guinea-Bissau, Jose Mario Vaz, and Issa Hayatou, the veteran head of the Confederation of African Football among other CAF, FIFA and sporting personalities at the 40,000-capacity stadium.

 

The opening ceremony end with the first match of the competition between Gabon and Guinea-Bissau at 1600 GMT and the game ended 1-1.

UNHCR: ‘Thousands fleeing Gambia fearing potential unrest’

Fatu Camara
-
0
UNHCR: ‘Thousands fleeing Gambia fearing potential unrest’

Several thousand people, mainly children, have crossed into Senegal from the Gambia in the last ten days to escape growing tension over the results of last month’s presidential election, the UN Refugee Agency in Dakar has confirmed.
 
While some people have decided to stay in The Gambia, many have begun sending their children to Senegal as a precautionary measure amid the political impasse, fearing potential unrest.
 
The United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR) teams report seeing buses filled with children, accompanied by women, cross the border,” said Liz Ahua, the regional representative for the UN Refugee Agency in Dakar.
 
Gambia’s longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh narrowly lost to rival Adama Barrow in the country’s December 1 election. After initially conceding defeat, Jammeh reversed his decision prompting international condemnation.
 
He is now contesting the result at the Supreme Court which had already announced that it cannot sit over the matter over lack on judges to constitute a panel to hear the case. Hi Attorney, Edward Gomez has further filed an interlocutory injunction seeking the superior court to stop President-elect Barrow from been sworn-in pending the outcome of the petition ruling.
 
According to Ahua, the UNHCR, other aid agencies and the Senegalese authorities have been monitoring the borders since the political crisis erupted, deploying  joint field missions last week and this week to southern Senegal’s Cassamance, bordering Gambia, and its surroundings.
 
Much of the daily border crossing is regular traffic, but preliminary findings also suggest that several thousand people have crossed to Senegal to seek shelter, mainly in the Ziguinchor, Sédhiou, Kaolack and Kolda areas.
 
The UNHCR says with support from Senegalese authorities, they are working to strengthen registration systems, which will help clarify figures.
 
“Most arrivals in Senegal are Gambians and Senegalese who have been working or living in the Gambia. The teams also report Ghanaians, Guineans, Liberians, Mauritanians and Lebanese among the arrivals. Most are staying with relatives or host families. Some households have more than doubled or tripled in size, which risks putting a strain on their resources, especially food,” UNHCR’s Ahua noted.
 
Ahua added that the UNHCR is working closely with the Senegalese authorities and aid agencies to establish contingency plans in case of future influxes. “These include identifying and preparing transit and hosting sites near existing facilities providing basic services” Ahua noted.
 
In the meantime, the UNHCR announced that it has dispatched a team on Thursday, January 12th 2017, to Zinguichor in Cassamance area, to assess existing protection capacity.
 
The UNHCR office and the authorities in Guinea Bissau are also sending a team to Cacheu in the north-west of that country, where some 400 people have reportedly arrived from the Gambia in recent days.
 
In addition to UNHCR and Senegal’s National Committee for Refugees, Returnees and Displaced People, interagency missions also included OCHA, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, IOM and other stakeholders.
 
Diplomatic efforts from various international actors, including ECOWAS, the African Union and the UN, are under way to convince President Jammeh to step down and allow Barrow to assume his new functions on January 19.

Barrow meets French President Hollande at Mali Summit, discusses Gambia situation

Fatu Camara
-
0
Barrow meets French President Hollande at Mali Summit, discusses Gambia situation

Gambia’s President-elect Adama Barrow today met with French president François Hollande at the France-Africa Summit in Mali and discuss the current political situation in The Gambia.

The ongoing 27th Africa-France Partnership, Peace and Emergence Summit is convened by French President Francois Hollande in Mali, aimed at strengthening cooperation between France and African countries in the areas of peace and security, economic partnership and development.

Prior to meeting President-elect Barrow, President Hollande during the opening of the Summit called on outgoing President Yahya Jammeh to respect the will of the people and hand over power peacefully. He assured Barrow of France’s fullest support saying his country will recognize him as legitimate President of The Gambia by January 19th.

Barrow flew to Bamako on Friday accompanying ECOWAS mediation team after failed talks in Gambia. Today, he briefed West African leaders at the Summit about the ongoing political impasse in The Gambia.

On Friday, the ECOWAS mediation team leader by Nigerian President Muhammadou Buhari with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ghana’s former President John Mahama where in the Gambia to find a lasting solution to the political impasse.

The talks failed for the second time as incumbent President Yahya Jammeh who lost the December polls still insist on power saying he will not hand over power until the verdict of the court is delivered on his petition.

Barrow held talks with West African leaders at France-Africa Summit in Bamako

Fatu Camara
-
0
Barrow held talks with West African leaders at France-Africa Summit in Bamako

Gambia’s President-elect Adama Barrow today held talks with West African leaders at the ongoing 27th France-Africa Summit in Mali.
The ongoing 27th Africa-France Partnership, Peace and Emergence Summit convened by French President Francois Hollande in Mali is aimed at strengthening cooperation between France and African countries in the areas of peace and security, economic partnership and development.

No detailed information came out as to what Mr Barrow discussed with leaders but it is believed that it all centered on the current political situation in the country.

Barrow flew to Bamako on Friday accompanying ECOWAS mediation team, to briefed West African leaders at the Summit about the ongoing political impasse in The Gambia.

On Friday, the ECOWAS mediation team leader by Nigerian President Muhammadou Buhari with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ghana’s former President John Mahama where in the Gambia to find a lasting solution to the political impasse. The talks failed for the second time as incumbent President Yahya Jammeh who lost the December polls still insist on power saying he will not hand over power until the verdict of the court is delivered on his petition.

Has President Buhari abruptly left Banjul after meeting Jammeh?

Fatu Camara
-
0
Has President Buhari abruptly left Banjul after meeting Jammeh?

Unconfirmed report to The Fatu Network reveals that Nigerian president and chief mediator Muhammadu Buhari abruptly left Banjul immediately after meeting outgoing president, Yahya Jammeh without meeting President-elect Adama Barrow and his team as scheduled.

It is still not clear as to why Mr Buhari abruptly left but unconfirmed reports say it may not be unconnected with the many unnecessary demands that out going, Yahya Jammeh has been making as part of his pre-conditions for a possible break through.

The Fatu Network is frantically doing everything to verify and to bring to you the updates as to why this happened.

‘If we fail the people of Gambia, we will be failing Africa’- AU boss Zuma

Fatu Camara
-
0
‘If we fail the people of Gambia, we will be failing Africa’- AU boss Zuma

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission has called on the African Union Peace and Security Council to be unambiguous & unequivocal in its message to resolve the current political crisis saying “If we fail the people of The Gambia, we will be failing Africa’.

Dr Zuma said the situation in The Gambia does not need long discussion because when the people have spoken, that should be respected.

Addressing the 647th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on Friday, 13th January 2017, in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, Dr Zuma insisted that the will of the Gambian people must be respected in this instance.

“We don’t need long discussions on this matter. The African Union Peace and Security Council must be unambiguous & unequivocal in its message to resolve this issue. The African Union is working with ECOWAS leaders and the stakeholders of The Gambia to ensure a smooth transition of authority on 19 Jan 2017. The Gambia voted, the president-elect was voted & he should be installed when the time comes” she insisted.

Dr Zuma said the will of the people must be respected saying “We’ve come a long way. Democracy in Africa is thriving… The ECOWAS region presents a good example of democracy in Africa… and when the people have spoken, that should be respected”.

Meanwhile, at the end of the meeting, the African Union has announced it will cease to recognise Yahya Jammeh as Gambia’s legitimate president as of January 19th, the date he is due to hand power to the winner of the December election, the AU’s Peace and Security Council said.

African Union Peace and Security Council also warned of “serious consequences in the event that his action causes any crisis that could lead to political disorder, humanitarian and human rights disaster, including loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties”.

It could be recalled that outgoing President Yahya Jammeh was defeated in December polls, conceded defeat and later reversed the decision prompting international condemnation. He has since been defiant and the sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS, has for the second time visited the Gambia without any deal. Mr Jammeh is still defiant and leaders may resort to military intervention to get rid of him.

Barrow off to Bamako to meet ECOWAS leaders at France-Africa Summit

Fatu Camara
-
0
Barrow off to Bamako to meet ECOWAS leaders at France-Africa Summit

The ECOWAS mediation team has decided to fly out with Gambia’s President-elect Barrow to talk to all ECOWAS Heads of States at an ongoing Summit in Bamako, Mali, following ‘failed’ talks to resolve the political crisis on Friday.

The ongoing 27th Africa-France Partnership, Peace and Emergence summit convened by French President Francois Hollande in Mali is aimed at strengthening cooperation between France and African countries in the areas of peace and security, economic partnership and development.

Speaking to journalist at a press briefing at the Coco Ocean after the end of the Banjul mediation, Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama confirmed the ECOWAS delegation will traveled together with President-elect Barrow to Mali to ensure that all the sub-regional Heads of States to hear from him directly for the first time.

“The ECOWAS Heads of States will for the first time hear from Barrow directly,” said Mr Onyeama.

Foreign Minister Onyeama said today’s talks were not conclusive, saying they will have to brief to sub-regional authorities before disclosing the specifics to the press.

He said they will brief other leaders about today’s talk, thereafter, they will make action plan to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the country.

Meanwhile, during today’s talks, the ECOWAS mediators met in a separate meeting, the outgoing President Yahya Jammeh, Incoming President Barrow with the coalition team, the Chief Justice of The Gambia Emmanuel Fagbenle and Deputy electoral Commission Chairman Malleh Sallah.

Since the talks have failed for the second time, the sub-regional body promised to come up with an action plan after the summit in Bamako.

ECOWAS’ Gambia talks ‘failed’

Fatu Camara
-
0
ECOWAS’ Gambia talks ‘failed’

The ECOWAS led talks to end the current political crisis in The Gambia has reportedly failed again as outgoing President Yahya Jammeh still remain defiant and refusing to hand over power to President-elect Adama Barrow who won the December presidential polls.

An ECOWAS mediation mission led by Nigerian President Muhammadou Buhari including Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama where in the Gambia on Friday for the second time to broker a deal to end the political crisis.

The delegation upon arrival in The Gambia, first met outgoing President Yahya Jammeh at the State House. Nothing official was announced after the meeting but leaked information confirmed that Mr Jammeh remained defiant and insisting that he will not step down as the election results petition is now at the Supreme Court and should be respected.

The Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle last week announced that the Supreme Court cannot sit over the petition until May as there are no judges to preside over the petition. Yet still, Mr Jammeh remains defiant and with no hope on the petition and his term expiring on January 19th, 2017,  Mr Jammeh ordered his Attorney Edward Gomez to filed an interlocutory Injunction at the Supreme Court to stop President-elect Barrow from been sworn-in, clearing showing his defiance not to hand over power.

Manwhile after meeting with the ECOWAS team, Coalition spokesperson Halifa Sallah told journalist that the mediation is still not conclusive but expressed beliefed that efforts will continue to resolve the crisis.

“The ECOWAS mediation is still not conclusive and the coalition beliefs that ECOWAS efforts will continue, since they have been able to meet both sides.The destiny of the Gambia is in the hands of Gambians. No president could claimed to be credible who will rule a country of dead bodies and destroy properties.The crisis has not been solved by today’s talks” Sallah said.

President Buhari who is the chief mediator could not meet President-elect Barrow because after meeting Jammeh, he left for Mali to participate in the 27th Africa-France Partnership, Peace and Emergence summit. He assigned his Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama to represent him while Liberian President Sirleaf and Ghana’s Mahama completed the mission in meeting President-elect Barrow.

Meanwhile, it is also confirmed that the ECOWAS delegation is travelling tonight with President-elect Barrow to Bamako, Mali, where he is expected to discuss face-to-face with other ECOWAS Heads of States at the ongoing 27th Africa-France Partnership, Peace and Emergence summit convened by French President Francois Hollande. The Summit is aimed at strengthening cooperation between France and African countries in the areas of peace and security, economic partnership and development.

1...229230231...237Page 230 of 237

2025 © The Fatu Network - Site by DigiTech Solutions

Reset password

Enter your email address and we will send you a link to change your password.

Get started with your account

to save your favourite homes and more

Sign up with email

Get started with your account

to save your favourite homes and more

By clicking the «SIGN UP» button you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Powered by Estatik