Gambian crisis gets local perspective
One of the country's foremost diplomats, Tuliameni Kalomoh, has described the political unrest unfolding in Gambia as catastrophic, saying president Yahya Jammeh should cede power.
Kalomoh is supporting calls made by the West African regional block Ecowas for Jammeh to step down and hand power to rival Adama Barrow, who was declared the winner of last year's presidential election.
Having initially conceded defeat to Barrow, Jammeh made a dramatic U-turn in December, and is now challenging the election in court.
The Gambian parliament yesterday – a day before Jammeh's mandate was due to expire - extended his rule for another 90 days.
Kalomoh labelled the Gambian parliament's decision is a “catastrophe”. Ecowas had earlier threatened to use military force to force Jammeh to step down. According to Kalomoh, the political unrest in Gambia does not augur well for its democracy or for the rest of the continent. “It does not set a good precedent for Africa. He should have abided by the Gambian constitution and allowed for a smooth transition of power,” said Kalomoh.
Although he is against the use of military intervention, which may lead to unnecessary loss of life, Kalomoh was quick to point out that force was the only way to deal with the matter, unless Africa wanted to allow leaders to flout their own laws.
Former Swapo Party Youth League secretary Elijah Ngurare said he expected Jammeh to put the interest of the Gambian people above his lust for power.
According to him, African leaders such as Jammeh must understand that there is an expiry date for power and should allow others to take over.
“He should have stepped down and guided the new president,” he said.
He further expressed concern over the likelihood of military intervention, which would not be good for the Gambian people.
“The voice of the African Union should have been louder but AU is just a toothless organisation. The Ecowas threat to use military intervention will obviously make things worse but if it is done in the interest of the African people then we must respect that route,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Kalomoh is supporting calls made by the West African regional block Ecowas for Jammeh to step down and hand power to rival Adama Barrow, who was declared the winner of last year's presidential election.
Having initially conceded defeat to Barrow, Jammeh made a dramatic U-turn in December, and is now challenging the election in court.
The Gambian parliament yesterday – a day before Jammeh's mandate was due to expire - extended his rule for another 90 days.
Kalomoh labelled the Gambian parliament's decision is a “catastrophe”. Ecowas had earlier threatened to use military force to force Jammeh to step down. According to Kalomoh, the political unrest in Gambia does not augur well for its democracy or for the rest of the continent. “It does not set a good precedent for Africa. He should have abided by the Gambian constitution and allowed for a smooth transition of power,” said Kalomoh.
Although he is against the use of military intervention, which may lead to unnecessary loss of life, Kalomoh was quick to point out that force was the only way to deal with the matter, unless Africa wanted to allow leaders to flout their own laws.
Former Swapo Party Youth League secretary Elijah Ngurare said he expected Jammeh to put the interest of the Gambian people above his lust for power.
According to him, African leaders such as Jammeh must understand that there is an expiry date for power and should allow others to take over.
“He should have stepped down and guided the new president,” he said.
He further expressed concern over the likelihood of military intervention, which would not be good for the Gambian people.
“The voice of the African Union should have been louder but AU is just a toothless organisation. The Ecowas threat to use military intervention will obviously make things worse but if it is done in the interest of the African people then we must respect that route,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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