Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh said on Friday he rejects the outcome of last week’s election that he lost to opposition leader Adama Barrow and called for fresh elections.

The announcement made on state television throws the future of the West African country into doubt after an unexpected election result that ended Jammeh’s 22-year rule and was widely seen as a moment of democratic hope.

“After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election. I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process,” Jammeh said.

“I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission,” he said.

Human rights groups said Jammeh’s government detained, tortured and killed opponents during his rule and his defeat sparked wild celebrations. But some people also said they doubted whether he would accept defeat.

Official election results from the electoral commission gave Barrow, a real estate developer who once worked as a security guard at retailer Argos in London, 45.5 percent of the vote against Jammeh’s 36.7 percent.

Barrow is set to take over in late January following a transition period. </s> Gambia's opposition candidate has defeated longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh in the West African country's presidential vote, an upset victory that could lead to the country's first transfer of power in more than two decades, the head of the election commission announced Friday.

Adama Barrow won 263,515 votes, or 45 percent of the total, while Jammeh finished in second with 36 percent, Alieu Momarr Njai said. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, received 17 percent, he said.

"I hereby declare Adama Barrow duly elected president of the Republic of Gambia for the next five years," Njai said.

He said Jammeh would be calling Barrow "to congratulate him and pray for peace and tranquility." Jammeh himself had not issued a public statement by early afternoon.

Many Gambians stayed up all night listening to the radio and tallying results as they were read out constituency by constituency. News of Barrow's victory prompted thousands to take to the streets in celebration — some on foot while others rode in cars and trucks and on motorbikes — as confused soldiers looked on.

"There will be celebrations, there will be disappointment, but we all know we are all Gambia," Njai said, calling for peace, tolerance and tranquility to be respected as it was during campaigning.

Gambians voted Thursday by placing marbles into drums marked for each candidate.

Eight opposition parties united behind Barrow, a former businessman, and the campaign period featured large opposition rallies and unprecedented expressions of frustration with Jammeh's rule.

Nevertheless, Jammeh had projected confidence, saying his victory was all but assured by God and predicting "the biggest landslide in the history of the country" after he voted on Thursday.

"We are happy to be free," said Omar Amadou Jallow, an opposition leader for the People's Progressive Party, which joined the coalition that backed Barrow. "We are able to free the Gambian people from the clutches of dictatorship, and we are now going to make sure Gambia becomes a bastion of peace and coalition. Our foundation will be based on national reconciliation."

Jammeh came to power in a coup in 1994 and then swept elections in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 after a 2002 constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits. Critics say those earlier elections were not free and fair.

Human rights groups have accused Jammeh of ordering the deaths of countless political opponents as well as targeting journalists and gays and lesbians.

All internet and international phone service was cut on election day in a bid by Jammeh to thwart unrest.

If Jammeh agrees to step down peacefully, it would demonstrate that even Africa's most entrenched leaders can be brought down if opposition politicians overcome their divisions and unite, said Jeffrey Smith, a human rights activist and founding director of Vanguard Africa, a U.S.-based group that worked with Gambia's opposition coalition.

"This is going to have resonance way beyond the tiny borders of Gambia," Smith said, describing the result as "a momentous occasion for the region writ large." </s> Defeated Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, has called the newly elected President of the country, Adama Barrow, to concede defeat.

There had been reports before the declaration of results that Mr. Jammeh had recorded a concession video.

The man, who had led Gambia with what many describe as an iron fist, promised to offer his guidance to Mr. Barrow 51, through the transition process.

He said he respects the will of the Gambian people, and that he was grateful to them and to the Almighty Allah for the opportunity to lead his people.

Mr. Jammeh in the hearty conversation shared some jokes with the new President. Mr. Barrow also thanked him for conceding defeat.

The head of The Gambia's Electoral Commission declared Adama Barrow as the winner of the 2016 presidential election, with 263,515 votes to Yahya Jammeh's 212,099 votes.

The Electoral Commissioner of Gambia, Chief Alieu Momar Njie, said it was unprecedented for a Gambian head of state to accept defeat before the final results

Mr. Barrow led a coalition of seven opposition parties to end the tyrannical rule of Mr. Jammeh who has been accused of suppressing freedoms, jailing political opponents and critics of his government, and in some cases killing such persons.

On Election Day, he shut down the internet blocking social media, blocked international phone calls and stopped many observers from observing the process.

Mr Jammeh had been in power for 22 years, after taking power in in a coup in 1994. The West African country has not had a smooth transfer of power since independence in 1965.

He had been trailing Mr. Barrow in partial results and was defeated in the capital, Banjul, his stronghold. </s> The tiny West African nation of Gambia is on the verge of a military intervention as its leader of 22 years, Yahya Jammeh, refuses to relinquish power to president-elect Adama Barrow.

Tens of thousands of residents have fled, as troops from Nigeria and Senegal prepare to invade the country and use force to install Mr Barrow as the rightful president on January 19.

Mr Jammeh initially accepted the December 1 election result, but a week later, he reversed his decision, claiming that voter fraud had cost him the election. He has since petitioned Gambia's Supreme Court for a re-run of the polls, in what critics have said is simply an attempt to cling to power. On Wednesday Gambia's parliament voted to extend his term by 90 days.

Delegations led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf have tried to convince Mr Jammeh to step aside, to little result. </s> After a 22-year rule, Gambia’s longtime leader, Yahya Jammeh has finally agreed to step down from power after refusing to accept defeat during last year’s election. West African armies invaded the country to remove the recalcitrant leader who refused to concede an election defeat to President Adama Barrow.

In December’s election, Jammeh lost to his opponent, Barrow and initially conceded defeat. Nonetheless, he later had a change of mind and declared the vote unfair.

Apparently, there won’t be any need for violence now since he has taken a decision to step aside thus, bringing an end to a reign that began in 1994 when he seized power in a coup. His government was notorious for torturing and killing perceived opponents to ensure he has no rivalry.

In a statement made in the face of pressure, Jammeh succumbed to the pressure from concerned West African countries. “I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation,” he said on state television.

Without giving any details of what deal he might have struck, the disgraced president decided to step aside to avoid bloodshed “not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed,” he said.

Clad in a white robe and looking tired, Jammeh was due to leave Banjul early Saturday afternoon. In addition, he will be going into exile in Guinea Conakry. The official statement followed hours of talks between Yahya Jammeh and West African mediators.

Mr. Barrow who has been in neighbouring Senegal for days was inaugurated as president in the Gambian embassy there on Thursday.

Subsequently, troops from several West African nations, including Senegal were deployed in Gambia. Their mission was to drive former president Jammeh out of office if he did not agree to go </s> Banjul. Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said Tuesday that no protests would be permitted after a two-week electoral campaign, as rallies in favour of opposition leader Adama Barrow reached boiling point in the capital, Banjul.

A day of opposition protests ahead of a presidential election in two days’ time highlighted deep divisions over Jammeh’s 22-year-rule, while the president took the opportunity to say his opponents could not succeed.

Barrow, a businessman, emerged from obscurity to become the flagbearer of all The Gambia’s opposition parties bar one after mass arrests of supporters from the largest anti-government grouping in April.

“People have shown us tremendous support. With that support we are 100 percent plus that we are going to win and with a big margin,” he told AFP on the final day of the campaign. With no official opinion polls, it is difficult to corroborate Barrow’s claim, but diplomatic sources have indicated in recent days that Jammeh faces his most significant challenge since taking power in a 1994 coup.

“If Jammeh wants advice if he loses, let him accept the will of the people and accept the value of the Gambian people,” Barrow said.

Rights bodies and media watchdogs including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accuse Jammeh of cultivating a “pervasive climate of fear” and of crushing dissent against his regime, one cause of the mass exodus of Gambian youths to Europe.

At a rally near the capital Tuesday, people shouted “Step down!” as they waved red cards demanding Jammeh’s removal after 22 years in power. “He killed dozens of our brothers, he’s a killer,” one man shouted. (AFP) </s> Defeated Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, has called the newly elected President of the small West African country, Adama Barrow, to concede defeat.

There had been reports before the declaration of results on Friday, that Mr. Jammeh had recorded a concession video.

The man, who had led Gambia with what many describe as iron fist, promised to offer his guidance to Mr. Barrow 51, through the transition process.

He said he respects the will of the Gambian people, and that he was grateful to them and to the Almighty Allah for the opportunity to lead his people.

“I am calling you to wish you all the best. The Gambian people have spoken and I have no reason to contest the will of the Almighty Allah. I wish you all the best. The country will be in your hands in January and you are assured of my guidance on your transition. You are the elected President of The Gambia and I wish you all the best. I have no ill-will, and I wish you all the best. This is transparent, this is the will of Allah and as a Muslim I accept it in good faith; the Ugandan people have chosen you.”

My time is up – Jammeh

Mr. Jammeh in a rather hearty conversation, shared some jokes with the new President, and said he believed that his time was up. He revealed that he was going into farming in his home village in The Gambia.

“After 22 years, I am grateful to the Almighty Allah for that. I remember I came on Friday 22nd of July, and I lost on Friday the 2nd of December; Allah is telling me that my time is up and I hand over graciously with gratitude to The Gambian people and gratitude to the Almighty Allah to you.”

Mr. Barrow in response also said he was also born on Friday, specifically 15th February, 1965, and he interestingly won the elections on a Friday. He thanked Mr. Jammeh for calling to concede defeat to him.

The Head of The Gambia's Electoral Commission declared Adama Barrow as the winner of the 2016 presidential election, with 263,515 votes to Yahya Jammeh's 212,099 votes.

Adama Barrow – The new Gambian President.

The third candidate, Mamma Kande, polled 102,969 votes.

The Electoral Commissioner of Gambia, Chief Alieu Momar Njie, said it was unprecedented for a Gambian head of state to accept defeat before the final results

Mr. Barrow led a coalition of seven opposition parties to end the tyrannical rule of Mr. Jammeh who has been accused of suppressing freedoms, jailing political opponents and critics of his government, and in some cases killing such persons.

On Election Day, he shut down the internet blocking social media, blocked international phone calls and stopped many observers from observing the process.

Mr Jammeh had been in power for 22 years, after taking power in in a coup in 1994. The West African country has not had a smooth transfer of power since independence in 1965.

He had been trailing Mr. Barrow in partial results and was defeated in the capital, Banjul, his stronghold.

The Gambia is bounded by Senegal, with a narrow Atlantic coastline.

It is known for its diverse ecosystems around the central Gambia River.

Abundant wildlife in its Kiang West National Park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve includes monkeys, leopards, hippos, hyenas and rare birds.

The capital, Banjul, and nearby Serrekunda offer access to beaches.

The country’s populatiion as at 2013 according to World Bank figures, was 1.8 million. </s> BANJUL, Gambia – Gambia’s president of 22 years acknowledged his election defeat on state television Friday night, vowing to step down hours after news of the results prompted thousands to celebrate in the streets in an unprecedented display of disdain for his rule.

With cameras rolling, Yahya Jammeh called the winner, opposition coalition leader Adama Barrow, on a mobile phone to praise the election and vow not to contest the result.

“Allah is telling me my time is up and I hand over graciously with gratitude toward the Gambian people and gratitude toward you,” Jammeh said.

Jammeh, a man long accused of heading a government that tortures opponents and silences all dissent, was jovial on the call, promising to help Barrow through the transition period before retiring to his home village to begin a new life as a farmer.

It was a stunning turn of events in a country where critics have long alleged votes are rigged. Just five years ago, Jammeh said he could stay in power for a billion years.

According to the electoral commission’s tally, Barrow received 45 percent of Thursday’s vote compared to Jammeh’s 36 percent.

Many Gambians stayed up all night Thursday listening to the radio and tallying results as they were read out constituency by constituency.

Once the results were announced on Friday, some tore down posters of Jammeh as the military stood by. Men in pickup trucks rode through the streets of Banjul screaming “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”

For the tens of thousands watching abroad from political exile, it was a day they thought might never come.

Speaking by phone from Washington, Gambian activist Pasamba Jow said the election was a “great victory” for the country and the entire African continent, though he anticipated a “difficult task of rebuilding our country and healing our nation.”

Eight opposition parties united behind Barrow, a former businessman, and the campaign period featured large opposition rallies.

Nevertheless, Jammeh had projected confidence, saying his victory was all but assured by God and predicting “the biggest landslide in the history of the country” after he voted.

“We are happy to be free,” said Omar Amadou Jallow, an opposition leader for the People’s Progressive Party, which joined the coalition that backed Barrow. “We are able to free the Gambian people from the clutches of dictatorship, and we are now going to make sure Gambia becomes a bastion of peace and coalition. Our foundation will be based on national reconciliation.”

Jammeh came to power in a coup in 1994 and then swept elections in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 after a 2002 constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits. Critics say those earlier elections were not free and fair.

All internet and international phone service was cut on election day in what Jammeh’s government said was a bid to thwart unrest.

Jammeh’s ouster demonstrates that even Africa’s most entrenched leaders can be brought down if opposition politicians overcome their divisions, said Jeffrey Smith, a human rights activist and founding director of Vanguard Africa, a U.S.-based group that worked with Gambia’s opposition coalition.

“This is going to have resonance way beyond the tiny borders of Gambia,” Smith said, describing the result as “a momentous occasion for the region writ large.”

Associated Press photographer Jerome Delay in Banjul and AP writers Abdoulie John in Dakar, Senegal, and Robbie Corey-Boulet in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, contributed. </s> Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, seen in 2014, rejected his election defeat only a week after conceding to opponent President-elect Adama Barrow. By ISSOUF SANOGO (AFP/File)

United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The UN Security Council on Saturday demanded that Gambia's leader Yahya Jammeh hand over power to the president-elect after he rejected the election results in a dramatic political U-turn.

In a unanimous statement, the 15 council members called on Jammeh to "respect the choice of the sovereign people of The Gambia, as he did on December 2 2016, and to transfer, without condition and undue delay, power to the President-elect, Mr Adama Barrow."
Opposition candidate Adama Barrow defeats Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, bringing an end to Jammeh's 22-year-rule in the West African nation.