Gambia leader declares state of emergency

DAKAR, Senegal – Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, just two days before he is supposed to cede power after losing elections last month. The longtime leader is refusing to step down despite international pressure and the threat by other West African nations of a military intervention. The 90-day state of emergency, announced on state television, was to begin immediately. It bans all residents and citizens from “any acts of disobedience” or violence and urges security forces to maintain order. In the announcement, Jammeh also blamed what he called the unprecedented level of foreign involvement in Gambia’s election.