After Brexit and Trump, the next political earthquake is in...The Gambia

[rooster59]

After Brexit and Trump, the next political earthquake is in...The Gambia

 

 

The world has seen another political bombshell – and this time it is in Africa!

 

Businessman Adama Barrow has scored a shock election victory in The Gambia, defeating its longtime president who had vowed to stay in power for “a billion years”.

 

For the last 22 years, Gambians have been ruled with an iron fist by Yahya Jammeh.

 

But the authoritarian leader has now formally conceded defeat, confirming that he won’t contest the result announced by the Electoral Commission.

 

Celebrations erupted in the streets of the capital Banjul, a normally sleepy seaside city whose white beaches lined with palm trees are a draw for European tourists.

 

Gambians shouted: “We are free. We won’t be slaves of anyone”. Some waved the Gambian flag and opposition party signs.

 

Earlier this week, Jammeh said that his “presidency and power are in the hands of Allah and only Allah can take it from me”.

 

Thursday’s vote was a rare show of defiance against a leader who human rights groups say crushes dissent by imprisoning and torturing opponents.

 

“I never in my dreams believed he would concede. It almost feels too good to be true,” said Ramzia Diab, an opposition coalition member who fled to neighbouring Senegal after receiving death threats.

 

It is unclear whether Jammeh, who seized power in a coup in 1994, will insist on some kind of immunity for alleged abuses under his rule in the tiny West African country – a former British colony which he declared an Islamic Republic last year.

 

The man who defeated him has pledged to revive the economy, amid poverty and unemployment that push thousands of Gambians to flee to Europe in search of a better life.

 

Barrow, a real estate developer who once worked as security guard at retailer Argos in London, has also vowed to end human rights abuses and to step down after three years as a boost to democracy.

 

Gambians had voted on Thursday amid a total blackout of the internet and all international calls, and with land borders sealed. European Union observers were barred and only a small team of African Union observers came.

 

But Barrow somehow managed to unite and galvanise Gambia’s opposition for the first time since Jammeh took power in the country of 1.8 million people.

 

A peaceful change of power in Gambia would be a welcome surprise for African democracy at a time when many of the continent’s leaders have been rigging polls, fiddling with constitutions to extend their terms in office and cracking down on peaceful protest.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-12-03

 

[Raymonddiaz]

Great for Gambia. Democracy is always the best way of live for people.

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Gambians shouted: “We are free. We won’t be slaves of anyone”.

Earlier this week, Jammeh said that his “presidency and power are in the hands of Allah and only Allah can take it from me”.

Congratulations to you, Gambians, on being delusional.

[phantomfiddler]

2 hours ago, Raymonddiaz said:

Great for Gambia. Democracy is always the best way of live for people.

 

In an ideal educated middle class society perhaps, but this is rarely the case ! Democracy does not work in many countries, and is terribly prone to abuse by dishonest politicians. In S.E.Asia Singapore reigns supreme as a testament to intelligent honest dictatorship being the best form of government, and Prayut in Thailand is trying his best to make large changes in a previously totally corrupt democratic farce.

[Old Croc]

Good news for The Gambia if the despot actually steps down.

I'd put the celebrations on hold until he actually goes.

[Falcon]

Knowing Jammeh, and I actually know him very well, right back before he became president and when he was a small boy in the army and his Mother working to sell groundnuts (peanuts) in the serrekunda market, he won't go quietly. I'd give the new guy a couple of months to settle in and then to expect another coup staged again by Jammeh. He made far too much money out of the country to just step down and retire.

[williamgeorgeallen]

maybe this democracy thing will take off.

[elgordo38]

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

It is unclear whether Jammeh, who seized power in a coup in 1994, will insist on some kind of immunity for alleged abuses under his rule in the tiny West African country

Yes they always want to be absolved of their heinous crimes what a joke politicians are. 

[elgordo38]

Just now, williamgeorgeallen said:

maybe this democracy thing will take off.

Democracy is a figment of your imagination. No matter which horse you bet on you lose. Its the way political races are won. Think back in time since JFK when did any good ever come of politicians and they rhetoric. 

[williamgeorgeallen]

2 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

Democracy is a figment of your imagination. No matter which horse you bet on you lose. Its the way political races are won. Think back in time since JFK when did any good ever come of politicians and they rhetoric. 

well there are certainly different versions of it i will give you that. 

[elgordo38]

Just now, williamgeorgeallen said:

well there are certainly different versions of it i will give you that. 

And I will give you a like for your honesty

[easton]

Barrow vows to step down after 3 years?

 

I wish him luck but in 3 years he will probably change his tune.

[bassman]

Appears that Trump and Brexit are doing great things around the world, bringing down the EU, the despot Obama and now the corrupt government of Gambia.

 

Let freedom ring.

[Old Croc]

On ‎12‎/‎3‎/‎2016 at 11:04 AM, Old Croc said:

Good news for The Gambia if the despot actually steps down.

I'd put the celebrations on hold until he actually goes.

Surprise, surprise.

 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957883-longtime-gambian-ruler-now-refuses-to-step-aside/#comment-11413099