H.E. President Yahya Jammeh
Africans Rising, a Pan-African Movement of people and formations, working for peace, justice and dignity congratulates the people of The Gambia upon a successful and peaceful election on 1st December, 2016. However, Africans Rising strongly and without any reservation condemns your action of annulling the results of the election. The annulment is an assault on the will of the people of The Gambia and the country’s electoral process.
The Gambia is yet again at a dangerous tipping point. The Gambian people are deeply fearful that violence could ensue as a result of your refusal to respect the will of the people. We ask that you lead The Gambia to a peaceful resolution of this political impasse.
Africans Rising therefore asks that you revert to the public pronouncement conceding defeat made immediately after the results were announced and quickly put in place mechanisms to assist in the handover of power to the new administration headed by President Elect, Adama Barrow. By doing so, you will be strengthening African solidarity and building trust and cooperation amongst citizens of The Gambia.
The Kilimanjaro Declaration, our founding charter unequivocally calls on our determination to foster an Africa-wide solidarity and unity of purpose of the Peoples of Africa to build the Future we want – a right to peace, social inclusion and shared prosperity. Therefore Africans Rising stands in solidarity with the people of The Gambia and welcomes the statement by the military to reject violence and safeguard the Constitution of The Gambia.
We are deeply concerned by the ongoing political situation and encourage the International Community and in particular, the Sub Regional bloc, ECOWAS, the United Nations and Africa Union to intervene and ensure a prompt and peaceful resolution to the current political crisis.
Kumi Naidoo
Director, Africans Rising
CC: H.E Adama Barrow, President Elect, The Gambia
All People of The Gambia
