Namibia ceases to recognise Jammeh

As the deadline draws close for former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh to step down or face military intervention, the Namibian government has issued a clear endorsement for President Adama Barrow today.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Permanent Secretary Selma Ashipala-Musavyi congratulated Barrow on his inauguration in Senegal this week.
“Namibia has henceforth ceased to recognise the legitimacy of Mr Jammeh. We look forward to working with the Government of President Adama Barrow for furthering our longstanding bilateral relations and cooperation,” the statement read.
Ashipala-Musavyi called on the international community to help efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) in ensuring that the “will of the Gambian people is respected and brining normalcy to The Gambia.”
An initial deadline set for Wednesday demanding Jammeh to vacate his seat was extended until today noon, with UN-backed regional troops already in the country, ready to intervene.
Last ditch-mediation talks are underway to persuade the former president to step down and peacefully hand over power to Barrow.

JANA-MARI SMITH