(JollofNews) – The Government of the Gambia has angrily reacted to a resolution issued by African Union’s Peace and Security Council, which warned President Yahya Jammeh of serious consequences if he refuses to handover power at the end of his term.
The Jammeh regime said the resolution is irresponsible, malicious and only intended to annoy and aggravate the political situation in the Gambia.
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council last Friday warned Mr Jammeh that he will not be recognised as president of the Gambia after January 18th. It urged him and his government to refrain from any action that could undermine the process leading up to the swearing-in of the President-elect Adama Barrow on 19th January 2017.
The council also reiterated its call to the Gambian stakeholders, including the defense and security forces, to exercise utmost restraint and to strictly abide by the constitution and uphold the rule of law, including the respect for the freedom of speech.
It said it will follow with keen interest the outcome of the visit to the Gambia by the Ecowas mediation, with the participation of the AU and the UN, and has agreed to meet as soon as possible, to assess the post-electoral situation in the Gambia and take appropriate decisions as may be deemed necessary.
But the Gambia Government said the council does not have the mandate to bar member states and governments from the African Union.
Ut added: “Any such resolution has to be approved by the authority of the heads of State of the African Union. This resolution has not been approved and the resolution is therefore non-binding and of no effect.”