(JollofNews) – President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia Monday insisted that his regime will not allow Thursday’s planned inauguration of Adama Barrow to go ahead.
Mr Jammeh, 51, said he has filed a motion at the Supreme Court asking it to make an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Mr Barrow, the Chief Justice of the Gambia or any judicial or quasi-judicial officer or any person in whatever capacity whatsoever to preside over swearing-in or inauguration on January 19th 2017 or any other date pending the determination of the election petition.
The same injunction is being sought against government employees, National Assembly Members, any organ of the government and any domestic, regional or international body, group or organisation.
Although the Chief Justice, who is the only Supreme Court judge currently in the country has refused to rule on the said motion as he was a subject of the injunction , Mr Jammeh said the injunction is still in the courts and Mr Barrow’s swearing will not take place.
Mr Jammeh’s mandate is due to end at midnight on Wednesday following his defeat in last month’s election by opposition candidate Adama Barrow. He is refusing to relinquish power after accusing the country’s electoral commission of rigging the election in favour of the opposition.
His attempt to overturn the election result at the Supreme Court has been delayed because of a shortage of judges as most of the judges come from neighbouring countries.
The African Union has said it will no longer recognise Mr Jammeh’s rule after his term ends and warn of serious consequences.
Regional group Ecowas, which has unsuccessfully failed to convince Mr Jammeh to handover power peacefully intends to seek the United Nation’s to approve military action if Mr Barrow’s inauguration on Thursday is blocked.