REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA: Risk of instability and repression

15 Dec 2016

[International Secretariat]

Region: REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA

Topic:

“President Jammeh’s rejection of the election results and his statement that he will not tolerate protest risks leading to instability and possible repression.”

“In recent weeks thousands of Gambians have enjoyed the ability to speak and gather freely, and these rights must continue to be protected. If Gambians decide to exercise their right to peaceful protest we call on the security forces to show restraint, and we expect the international community to condemn any restriction on protest and any other violations that may be committed.”

“Amnesty International will be closely monitoring the situation.”

Background

On 2 December, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission announced that opposition candidate Adama Barrow (Coalition 2016) won the election and President Yahya Jammeh (APRC – Alliance for Patriotic Reconstruction and Construction) accepted his defeat. Last night on a recorded statement he announced he now rejects “in totality” and called for new elections to be held when resources allow. Under Gambian law any appeal against the results of the election must be filed in the Supreme Court within 10 days of the results.

10 December 2016
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE