Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the recent presidential elections and transfer of power in The Gambia, and for other purposes.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that:

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 89 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 89

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
recent presidential elections and transfer of power in The Gambia, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 3, 2017

  Mr. Langevin (for himself and Mr. Donovan) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
recent presidential elections and transfer of power in The Gambia, and 
                          for other purposes.

Whereas for the past 22 years, The Gambia has been ruled by President Yahya 
        Jammeh following a coup in 1994;
Whereas President Jammeh ruled without regard for human rights, respect for the 
        law or political process, concern for responsible and legal 
        international trade, and esteem for journalists or a free press;
Whereas President Jammeh's 22-year rule was upended in The Gambia's December 
        2016 election loss to Adama Barrow, leading to a subsequent denouncement 
        of the election, a legal challenge contesting its results, a refusal to 
        step down as President, and the declaration of a state of emergency to 
        forcibly extend his term;
Whereas the Department of State has called this action an ``unacceptable breach 
        of faith'' and called upon President Jammeh to relinquish his authority;
Whereas the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has pursued 
        peaceful mediation of the matter at hand, provided refuge for Gambian 
        citizens fleeing the country in the wake of the ongoing civil and 
        political unrest, and maintained a steadfast loyalty to democracy; and
Whereas President Jammeh has seemingly relinquished power and fled The Gambia in 
        exile: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the state of emergency in The Gambia be resolved with 
        the peaceful installation of President Barrow;
            (2) ECOWAS peacekeeping forces continue the humanitarian 
        work in conjunction with The Gambian military to ensure 
        security for President Barrow's transition to authority;
            (3) President Barrow seek to preside over The Gambia with a 
        steady hand, with high regard for human rights, and through 
        promotion of the free press; and
            (4) the peaceful transition of power is a time-honored 
        tradition that must be upheld, unequivocally, across the globe 
        following any and all free and open election proceedings.
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