The embattled president of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh has received a major backing from the country’s Army chief, General Ousman Badjie.
General Badjie has written a letter to Mr. Jammeh saying “May I please seize this opportunity to renew to your Excellency the assurance of the unflinching loyalty and support of the Gambia Armed Forces,”
General Badjie’s letter to Mr. Jammeh was published in a pro-government newspaper.
This reaffirmation of loyalty by the Army chief is a major boost for Mr. Jammeh who has refused to step down when his tenure ends on January 19.
The Army chief was initially reported to have backed president-elect Adama Barrow when he was declared winner of the elections.
Mr. Jammeh is disputing the outcome of the elections held on December 1, 2016 which saw his rival Adama Barrow emerge winner as declared by Gambia’s National Independent Electoral Commission. Jammeh initially accepted the outcome of the elections but later reversed his decision.
The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has warned it will resort to force to oust Mr. Jammeh. A standby forces is already on alert should Jammeh refuse to hand over power to Adama Barrow on January 19.
Mr. Jammeh has called the bluff of ECOWAS tagging the threat from the regional bloc “a declaration of war”.
Source: Africafeeds.com
