A
joint declaration released by the UN, ECOWAS, and AU for the sake of peace and
stability of The Gambia in 2016-2017 political impasse has proven that there
was agreement between the three international bodies and former Gambian
president, Yahya Jammeh as claimed by he (Jammeh) and his supporters.
According
to the declaration, ECOWAS, the AU and the UN would have worked with the
government of The Gambia to ensure that former President Jammeh was at liberty
to return to The Gambia at any time of his choosing in accordance with
international human rights law and his rights as a citizen of the Gambia and a
former head of state. However, no concrete agreement had been signed for
Jammeh’s return by either The Gambia government or any of these international
organisations. The agreement was made on 21 January 2017 in Banjul.
Below
reads the full text of the Joint Declaration:
Joint
Declaration by the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union
and the United Nations on the Political Situation of the Islamic Republic of
The Gambia
1.
Following the Decision of the Summit of the ECOWAS Authority taken on 17th
December 2016 in Abuja, Nigeria, Mediation efforts, including visits to Banjul,
were undertaken by the Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and
Government, HE President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Mediator, HE President Muhammadu Buhari and Co-Mediator on
The Gambia, HE former President John Dramani Mahama, along with HE President
Ernest Bai Koroma to mediate on the political impasse with Sheikh Professor
Alhaji Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh.
2.
Following further mediation efforts by HE President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of
the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and HE President Alpha Conde of the Republic
of Guinea Conakry with HE Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh,
the former President of the Republic of The Gambia, and in consultation with
the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the
Chairperson of the African Union and the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, this declaration is made with the purpose of reaching a peaceful
resolution to the political situation in
The Gambia.
3.
ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commend the goodwill and statesmanship of His
Excellency former President Jammeh, who with the greater interest of the
Gambian people in mind, and in order to preserve the peace, stability and
security of The Gambia and maintain its sovereignty, territorial integrity and
the dignity of the Gambian people, has decided to facilitate an immediate peaceful
and orderly transition process and transfer of power to President Adama Barrow
in accordance with the Gambian constitution.
4.
In furtherance of this, ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commit to work with the
Government of The Gambia to ensure that it assures and ensures the dignity,
respect, security and rights of HE former President Jammeh, as a citizen, a
party leader and a former Head of State as provided for and guaranteed by the
1997 Gambian Constitution and other Laws of The Gambia.
5.
Further, ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commit to work with the Government of The
Gambia to ensure that it fully guarantees, assures and ensures the dignity,
security, safety and rights of former President Jammeh’s immediate family,
cabinet members, government officials, Security Officials and party supporters
and loyalists.
6.
ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commit to work with the Government of The Gambia to
ensure that no legislative measures are taken by it that would be inconsistent
with the previous two paragraphs.
7.
ECOWAS, the AU and the UN urge the Government of The Gambia to take all
necessary measures to assure and ensure that there is no intimidation,
harassment and/or witch-hunting of former regime members and supporters, in
conformity with the Constitution and other laws of The Gambia.
8.
ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commit to work with the Government of The Gambia to
prevent the seizure of assets and properties lawfully belonging to former
President Jammeh or his family and those of his Cabinet members, government
officials and Party supporters, as guaranteed under the Constitution and other
Laws of The Gambia.
9.
In order to avoid any recriminations, ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commit to work
with the Government of The Gambia on national reconciliation to cement social,
cultural and national cohesion.
10.
ECOWAS, the AU and the UN underscore strongly the important role of the Gambian
Defence and Security Forces in the maintenance of peace and stability of The
Gambia and commit to work with the Government of The Gambia to ensure that it
takes all appropriate measures to support the maintenance of the integrity of
the [Defence and] Security Forces and guard against all measures that can
create division and a breakdown of order.
11.
ECOWAS, the AU and the UN will work to ensure that host countries that offer
“African hospitality” to former President Jammeh and his family do not become
undue targets of harassment, intimidation and all other pressures and
sanctions.
12.
In order to assist a peaceful and orderly transition and transfer of power and
the establishment of a new government, HE former President Jammeh will
temporarily leave The Gambia on 21 January 2017, without any prejudice to his
rights as a citizen, a former President and a Political Party Leader.
13.
ECOWAS, the AU and the UN will work with the Government of The Gambia to ensure
that former President Jammeh is at liberty to return to The Gambia at any time
of his choosing in accordance with international human rights law and his
rights as a citizen of the Gambia and a former head of state.
14.
Pursuant to this declaration, ECOWAS will halt any military operations in The
Gambia and will continue to pursue peaceful and political resolution of the
crisis.
Madi
Jobarteh
Courtesy
of Kerr Fatou
