Gambia's president retains power in 'unfair' elections

Gambia's president for the last 17 years, Yahya Jammeh, has retained power in elections Friday that saw him win with over 70 percent of votes. The regional bloc ECOWAS says the election was marred by intimidation and repression.

By News Wires (text)

AP - Gambia's electoral commission says that Gambia's president of 17 years has won re-election after a poll that critics say was unfair.

The chairman of the electoral commission says President Yahya Jammeh won with 72 percent of the vote, and leading opposition candidate Ousainou Darboe came in second with nearly 17 percent of the vote.

The regional bloc ECOWAS said Thursday's vote in this tiny country on Africa's western coast was marred by repression and intimidation. Jammeh has rejected the idea of a unity government, saying: "I don't have an opposition. What we have is people who hate this country and I will not work with them.''

He has drawn international criticism for his claim he can cure AIDS with an herbal body rub and bananas. He first took power after a 1994 coup.

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Date created : 25/11/2011

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React to the article

(3) Reactions

Who are they???

by Candy (not verified) - 06/12/2011 - 15:31

Who are these white pple to always come jugde pple in theri own country?? fair or not fair or what business is theirs.Look at what they have done to Egypt and Ivory coast.hope they are happy...

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gambia election

by lamin cham (not verified) - 26/11/2011 - 12:16

Ecowas was absolutely right in condemning this election. The whole process was a sham. How can you have democractic election in a military dictatorship? Jammeh controls everything in the gambia from mercenary judges he hired from Nigeria to the IEC. Oppostion were given only few days to campaign and in that time were given little or no airtime. For the AU observers to declare such an election free and fair is just beyond believe. The organisation is a disgrace- not fit for purpose.