22 Dec 2016

Botswana has been following political developments in The Gambia and is deeply concerned about the recent reports that President Yahya Jammeh has deployed his security forces at the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission of that country.

A press statement from the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation says this untoward action by President Jammeh should be strongly condemned since it infringes on the independent status of the electoral commission as provided for under the Gambian constitution.

It says the unfortunate action also has a high propensity to compromise the sensitive electoral material being kept by the Gambian electoral commission.

The statement further says Botswana therefore calls on President Jammeh to direct his military personnel to instantly leave the premises of the commission, and to avoid engaging in any further undertaking that could undermine efforts towards peaceful transfer of power.

“Equally, we call on the security forces of The Gambia to refrain from any action that might threaten peace and stability in that country,” the statement says.

Botswana wishes to make it categorically clear that should President Jammeh ultimately refuse to hand over power when his term of office comes to an end on January 18, 2017, Botswana will not recognise him as the president of The Gambia, nor will recognise his government.

The statement further states that Botswana appreciates the efforts being undertaken by ECOWAS, the AU and the United Nations to put pressure on President Jammeh to respect the expressed will of The Gambian people. ENDS