AU tells Jammeh to facilitate smooth transfer of power
The Chairman of the African Union (AU), Idriss Deby Itno, president of the Republic of Chad, has called on the outgoing president of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh to facilitate the smooth transfer of power to the newly elected president of the country, Adama Barrow, as decided by the people.
The AU Chairman reaffirms the imperative need for an orderly and peaceful transfer of power to the President-elect of The Gambia, in line with the relevant provisions of the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, a statement copied to ghanabusinessnews.com has said.
Mr Deby Itno congratulated the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its principled stand with regards to the situation in The Gambia. He expressed the AU’s full support to the decisions adopted by the 50th Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority held in Abuja, on December 17, 2016, including the consideration to use all necessary means to ensure the respect of the will of the people of The Gambia.
He also commended the leadership and commitment demonstrated by Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, and President of Liberia, aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly transfer of power in The Gambia.
He reaffirmed the readiness of the AU to pursue and intensify coordination efforts with ECOWAS and the UN, in order to facilitate the speedy and orderly transfer of power to the President-elect, including its full support to President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as ECOWAS Mediator in The Gambia.
He renewed his call to The Gambian defense and security forces to strictly abide by the Constitution and rule of law.
By Pamela Ofori-Boateng
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