Gambia headed towards an uncertain future as President Yahya Jammeh on Tuesday declared a 90-day State of Emergency in the country, 24 hours before his tenure officially ends.
In a televised announcement, Jammeh, in a desperate move to cling on to power, decried “extraordinary” foreign interference in Gambia’s politics.
The president, who has turned down entreaties to walk the path of honour by handing over power to president-elect, Adama Barrow after his election defeat, warned that “any acts of disobedience to the laws of The Gambia, incitement of violence and acts intended to disturb public order and peace” are banned under the State of Emergency.
He said security forces has been instructed to “maintain absolute peace, law and order”.
Before the announcement, the country’s National Assembly had passed a motion condemning what it called the “unlawful and malicious interference” of the African Union and the country’s neighbour, Senegal, in The Gambia’s affairs.
This latest move by Jammeh follows a warning by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), asking him to step down by midnight Wednesday or be bundled out of office.
The embattled President is becoming increasingly isolated after his refusal to relinquish power and ensure a peaceful transition of power. Gambia’s tourism and culture minister, Benjamin Roberts, on Tuesday became the sixth minister to resign.
Others who have resigned include ministers of finance, trade, information, environment and his closest ally, minister of foreign affairs, Mrs. Neneh MacDouall-Gaye.
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