The Gambia Polls: Another Good Example

On December 1, 2016, the people of The Gambia went to the polls to elect a new President. The outcome of that exercise has since elicited positive comments and commendation across the world, including the United Nations, the African Union, United States of America, among others.

Even before the polls results were officially declared, sitting President Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Jukung Jammeh called opposition candidate, Adama Barrow on telephone to concede defeat and assured him of a smooth transition of power.

Lieutanant Yahya Jammeh ascended the seat of power in the smallest mainland African country after overthrowing President Sir Dawda Jawara in a military coup on July 22, 1994. In 1996, he formed the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction political party and contested election that saw him become a civilian President. Since then, Jammeh has perpetuated himself in power through elections in 2001, 2006 and 2011. To achieve this, he imprisoned key opposition figures, controlled the state media, muzzled independent journalists and often mobilized the support of local officials.

In the run-up to the 2016 elections, President Jammeh had labeled members of the opposition as “opportunistic people supported by the West” and vowed to bow only to Allah and his mother. He threatened never to tolerate opposition to “destabilise this country”.

To show his resolve and determination to remain the only one good enough to be elected, a number of opposition leaders, including Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party were sentenced to three years imprisonment for staging pro-democracy protests.

But in a twist, Yahya Jammeh shocked his critics and surprised keen watchers of the Gambian politics in particular and the African political landscape in general when he made that famous telephone call to congratulate his opponent and leader of the coalition of opposition political parties for coming out as the preferred candidate by the people of The Gambia this time around.

Many commended this gesture of the out-going President Jammeh, while also congratulating the people of The Gambia for their courage and untiring effort at entrenching democracy without resorting to violence and blood-letting as is usually the case when confronted by despotic and authoritarian rulers that for so long continue to impose themselves on the African continent.

To many, the development in the West African country was especially heart-warming and represented a strong indication that the socio-economic and political transition of the African continent may be truly on the path of change for the better. Indeed, many counted it as yet another celebration of democratic growth in the African continent going by the good example set by former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria who last year shocked everyone including his rival in the election, Muhammadu Buhari by not only calling him on the telephone to concede defeat but also ensuring a peaceful and hitch-free transfer of power.

Unfortunately, days after Jammeh’s call to congratulate his victorious opponent and for which the critical world poured all colours of encomiums for his legendary statesmanship, the man is said to have made a u-turn.

Media reports quoted the out-going president as questioning the outcome of the same elections results he had applauded. That leaves Gambia where it has also been, a ring of uncertainty and apparent instability.

The Tide thinks that it is most unfortunate for African leaders to consider public office as a birthright and would prefer to die in office. Jameh should do the honourable thing and ensure a peaceful transition.

We urge President Yahya Jammeh to make good his promise to work with the President-elect, Adama Barrow to ensure a smooth transfer of the reins of power come January, 2017, and forget the recent doubts expressed about the polls he hailed

There is, no doubt, that the challenges of development are huge and more than just achieving violence-free and unforced surrender of power, it cannot be gain-said that the conduct of free, fair and credible elections and peaceful transition of political power from one administration to another at regular intervals is among the least of the requirements for mobilizing the abundant human and material resources for leading the blessed continent and its people out of the woods.