The
Coalition spokesperson, Halifa Sallah, has said the winner should prepare for
inauguration, while the loser prepares for the court.
He
made this remark yesterday at a press conference held at the Kairaba Beach
Hotel.
“This
is the fact that no Gambian should deny or be put under the carpet; an election
has taken place according to law, Halifa Sallah continued, adding that the
winner has been declared, according to law, and an election petition was filed
by the loser at the Supreme Court.
Dialogue
is necessary to reach a mutual understanding on the peaceful way forward,
Sallah went on.
The
Office of the President-elect is now waiting for the initiatives of the
Secretary General, who was appointed Mediator General of the government, Sallah
announced.
The
decision to release those arrested in connection with political matters, and
the commitment not to effect new arrests are steps in the right direction,
Sallah said.
“It
is hoped that this would be extended to all those in detention without trial
prior to the election period.
“It
is also hoped that all media houses that were closed down would be allowed to
operate, and cover the divergent views that would enrich the debate on the way
forward.”
The
open arms extended to brother and sister presidents from ECOWAS, the OIC, the
AU and the UN for their kind words and support to The Gambia would also
facilitate mediation efforts from all sides, according to Halifa Sallah.
The
Office of President-elect Barrow is confident that if all adhere to the verdict
of the Gambian people, and put the national interest before personal or party
interest, peace will prevail in The
Gambia at all times, he said.
The
Coalition spokesperson further stated: “The supreme interest of the people
should be the guide of all our actions, in order to maintain and consolidate
national unity, peace and prosperity.
“The
Office of President-elect Barrow, therefore, would like to convey to the
general public, with sincerity and honesty, that he was declared a winner after
the conduct of a free and fair presidential election, regardless of the
technicalities that may have emerged in the declaration of the results.”
The
courts could determine what led to the declaration of two results. “However,”
Mr Sallah said, “it is evident that none of the results challenged the
established fact that Adama Barrow won the 1st December 2016 Presidential
Election.”
