As the U.S. prepares for the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, half a world away in West Africa another President-elect will have to be sworn in at his country’s embassy in a foreign land. Current Gambian President Yahya Jammeh refuses to step down after first conceding his loss to duly elected Adama Barrow in the December 1st elections. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Africa Subcommittee, said the differences between the two inaugurations are telling.
“The comparison between the power-grab in Gambia and more than two centuries of peaceful transitions of power from one political party to another here in the United States is stark,” said Smith.
“President-elect Trump will be sworn in, as per tradition on the West side of the Capitol building, with his former campaign opponent Hillary Clinton and current President Obama looking on. Yet Adama Barrow, a businessman like Donald Trump who had never before held public office, is being sworn in today in Senegal because of credible threats to his life from President Jammeh.
“The stable change of power is a hallmark of democracy. Tragically in Gambia, the democratically expressed voice of the people has been rejected by a leader who will not give up power after seizing office in a coup 22 years ago.
“I call on President Jammeh to step down and allow Gambia to begin their own proud tradition of strong democratic transitions.”
While he first announced he would step down as President, Jammeh has since reversed his decision and launched a series of actions to question the election results and call for new elections after word leaked of a likely investigation of his actions in office. The governments of neighboring countries have continued to negotiate with Jammeh to reach a peaceful political settlement, but their military forces are now poised on the border ready to oust their former colleague should he continue to refuse to leave office. The U.S. Embassy in Bajul, Gambia’s capital, called on Americans to shelter in place in expectation of possible violence.
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