Président Yahya Jammeh and wife
Longtime strongman Yahya Jammeh has lost Gambia’s presidential election to businessman and political newcomer Adama Barrow. He is expected to make a concession speech later in the day.
Following the Presidential election in Gambia where the opposition candidate Adama Barrow has taken the lead after almost 75 per cent of votes had been counted, reports indicate that the incumbent President, Yahya Jammeh is likely to concede defeat after having recorded his speech.
In a shock result, Gambia’s 22-year president, Yahya Jammeh, will concede defeat to political newcomer Adama Barrow of the United Democratic Party, the head of the country’s electoral commission said Friday.
“It’s really unique that someone who has been ruling this country for so long has accepted defeat,” Alieu Momar Njie told reporters ahead of the release of the results of Thursday’s presidential election.
Jammeh has staunchly held onto power for over two decades since he staged a military coup that ousted Dawda Jawara, who himself had been president since 1970, just five years after the country’s independence from Great Britain.
The longtime head of state, who represents the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party, was expected to make a televised address later in the day.
Jammeh has been accused of massive human rights abuses during his rule.
Jammeh, who has previously said that with the will of God he could rule for a billion years, has been accused by rights groups of abuses, including killing political opponents and clamping down on journalists and gays. During his reign he swung the country in an Islamic direction, last year declaring the country an Islamic Republic.
Previous elections since he came to power have been marked allegations of rigging. Thursday’s election was impacted by an internet backout and a heavy security presence that extended into early Friday.
The United States said the voter turn out appeared to be high and took place under “generally peaceful conditions.” But the State Department voiced concerned about the arrest of opposition supporters, the internet blackout and disruption of phone services.
If Jammeh concedes, it would be remarkable transition in the West African country and the continent, where few leaders step down through elections.
President Yahya Jammeh has ruled the West African nation since taking power in a military coup in 1994.
cw/kl (Reuters, AFP, KNA)
