Jammeh recalls US ambassador who advised him to accept defeat

Gambia has recalled its ambassador to the United States, Sheikh Omar Faye confirmed in a letter dated Monday January 19, 2016.

Omar Faye’s recall ‘for home service’ comes exactly a week after he called on his boss, Alhaji Dr Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh Babili Mansa, to respect the country’s constitution and hand over power to the president-elect Adama Barrow.

Whiles still expressing hope that Jammeh will handover to Barrow as per the constitution, his letter read in part, ‘‘I am hereby reminding all Gambian officials, civil servants and military personnel they are serving the people of the Gambia and MUST protect its security, peace and prosperity.’‘

He further expressed the belief that on January 19, 2017, God Willing, Mr. Adama Barrow will become the third President of the Republic of Gambia,’‘ adding an admonition that ‘‘We should all forget personal ambitions and strive towards maintaining the peace and social cohesion of our beloved country.

#Gambia's ambassador to the US recalled by Yahya Jammeh, says “god willing” Adama Barrow will rightly become the country's third president. pic.twitter.com/0koeT4OmYG

— Jeffrey Smith (@Smith_JeffreyT) December 19, 2016

Omar Faye in his earlier letter to Jammeh said the world was so proud of Jammeh’s political maturity after accepting defeat in the december 1 polls. But Jammeh put the country on a dangerous path by his decision to annul and called for fresh elections.

Jammeh went into the December 1 presidential polls with two other contenders. He was seeking a fifth term that seemed secured by all means. A day after the polls the man who came to power in 1994 had recorded poll losses in the capital Banjul and other parts of the country.

He conceded defeat to his main rival president-elect Adama Barrow in a phone call and promised to had over power and return to his farm. A week later on December 9, Jammeh in a televised address said irregularities his team had found later meant that the poll had to be rerun by a ‘God fearing’ electoral body.

Despite international condemnation of his action and regional mediation efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jammeh remains adamant. Several local groups have also called on him to democratically hand over power to Mr. Barrow.