Gambia calls state of emergency

Assembly approves president’s move for 90-day measure

DAKAR // Gambia’s president, Yahya Jammeh, yesterday declared a state of emergency, two days before he is to step down after losing elections last month. Mr Jammeh is refusing to hand over power despite international pressure and the threat of military action by West African countries.

He announced the 90-day state of emergency, effective immedi- ately, on state television, blaming what he called the unprecedented level of foreign involvement in Gambia’s election.

In approving the state of emergency, the national assembly condemned the “unlawful and malicious interference” by the African Union’s peace and security council.

The council said it would no longer recognise Mr Jammeh as Gambia’s legitimate leader after tomorrow when president-elect Adama Barrow is set to take over. But Mr Jammeh insists that Gambia’s supreme court must first decide on the ruling party’s challenge to the election re- sults, which could take months. On Monday, Gambia’s chief justice recused himself and said he could not rule on Mr Jammeh’s request for an injunction to block Mr Barrow’s inauguration. Meanwhile, members of Mr Jammeh’s cabinet are leaving. The ministers of foreign affairs, finance, trade and environment have resigned and the information minister has gone into exile in Senegal. Mr Jammeh has ruled Gambia for more than 22 years. He changed his mind after initially conceding his electoral defeat.