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Gambia’s President Jammeh Says He’s Ready To End Election Standoff

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President Yahya Jammeh Tuesday, January 10, 2017 told Gambians that he is ready to enter dialogue with the opposition and resolve the simmering political dispute in the country.

In a late televised address to the nation, Mr Jammeh said although he still strongly believes that he was cheated in the election, he is confident that Gambians can come together and resolve the election dispute and any other matter without external interference.

Mr Jammeh, 51, who has ruled the Gambia for 22 years last month suffered a surprised election defeat.

The election was called in favour of opposition candidate Adama Barrow who won more than 45% of the vote according to the country’s electoral commission.

Gambian president-elect Adama Barrow is seen during an exclusive interview with Reuters in Banjul, Gambia, December 12, 2016. | Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde

Mr Jammeh had initially conceded defeat and praised the country’s electoral system as rigged proof. He changed his mind a week later and declared the results null and void citing huge and unacceptable mistakes by the electoral commission.

He later filed a suit at the supreme court asking judges to determine that Adama Barrow was not duly elected or returned as president, and that the said election was void.

But as tension continues with many civilians fleeing the urban area to the provinces and neighbouring countries, Mr Jammeh said he will personally  take all possible steps within his conscience and law to end the standoff.

“I assure everyone that as a Gambian, a Muslim, and a family man, no foreigner can love this country and hold its highest interest at heart more than myself and the majority of Gambians. So I will also be taking all possible steps within the constitution and my conscience to do my part to resolve this impasse,” he said.

Read full report HERE.

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