AU
ECOSOCC calls for an expedient and peaceful transition of power in the Gambia
Addis
Ababa, 14 December 2016: African Union Economic, social and Cultural Council
(AU – ECOSOCC) is extremely concerned about the situation in the Gambia since
the outgoing President unjustly rejected the outcome the December 1 election in
his statement on 9 December 2016 only one week after he has rightly accepted
the election results and conceded defeat to the opposition.
In
a statement released today, the Presiding Officer Mr. Joseph Chilengi said,
“ECOSOCC strongly welcomes and joins the call by the AU, ECOWAS, UNSC and
others for a prompt, unconditional and peaceful transition of power to the duly
elected new authorities respecting the sovereign will of the Gambian people and
the constitutional process”. In this regard, ECOSOCC further recalls the
December 10 statement of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
underlining that the rejection of the election results by the outgoing
President Yahya Jammeh is null and void.
ECOSOCC
is also particularly concerned about the dangers and risks to Gambian civil
society and strongly urges the authorities in Gambian to ensure the safety and
security of civil society members including journalists. ECOSOCC further urges
the Gambian authorities to ensure respect for civil and political rights and
guarantee the exercise of fundamental human and democratic rights including
freedom of expression, association and the rights for peaceful demonstrations
and protests in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Rights and international human rights law. ECOSOCC calls upon Gambian security
forces to remain loyal to the constitution and ensure the safety and security
of all Gambians and residents of Gambia.
ECOSOCC
further welcomes the deployment of an AU/ECOWAS delegation to the Gambia to
facilitate a peaceful transition and calls on the high level delegation to
sustain its efforts with a strong and clear message to the Gambian authorities
that any attempt to subvert the will of the Gambian people and the democratic
process in unlawful manner is not acceptable.
ECOSOCC
takes note that after recounting the provisional election results, the
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced on 5 December that a
tabulation error had been made in tallying the votes in some administrative
areas which showed a reduction of votes in the margin of victory for the
opposition coalition but not in any way altering the final outcome of the
election.
Within
the framework of ECOSOCC’s objectives to promote and defend good governance,
human rights, democratic principles and institutions, as well as promoting
peace, security and stability in Africa, ECOSOCC will continue to closely
monitor the Gambian situation and the civil society environment in particular
and expresses its readiness to work closely with and support the continental
and regional efforts to ensure a speedy and peaceful transition of power in
accordance with the sovereign will of the people of Gambia.
“Gambians
have spoken and their choice is confirmed by the independent electoral
commission” Mr. Chilengi said. “There is no compromise and negotiation on the
sovereign will of the people, which should be fully respected.”
Source:
ECOSOCC Secretariat
