The
European Union supports the current efforts by the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and the United Nations, to ensure a
peaceful transition in The Gambia, following presidential elections on 1
December.
We
particularly welcome the recent mission of four ECOWAS Heads of State, under
the leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, together with the UN, to
Banjul to this end. In the light of the ECOWAS summit taking place on 17
December, we stand ready to lend further support to these efforts.
The
European Union expects President Jammeh to respect the will of the Gambian
people as expressed on 1 December. In this context, the occupation of the
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) premises by Gambian security forces is
unacceptable, as it violates the principle of independence of the IEC.
The
European Union is looking forward to fully engage with President-elect Adama
Barrow as soon as he has taken office on 18 January, to step up our relations
in a wide range of areas and support progress regarding democracy, human
rights, good governance and sustainable and inclusive development.
Source:
EU office in Gambia
