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

Bill: 115-hres-89
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Introduced: 2017-02-03
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Gambia

International organizations and cooperation

Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Latest action: action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-02-03
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that:</p> <ul> <li> the state of emergency in The Gambia should be resolved with the peaceful installation of President Barrow; </li> <li>Economic Community of Western African States peacekeeping forces should continue humanitarian work in conjunction with the Gambian military to ensure security for President Barrow's transition to authority; </li> <li> President Barrow should seek to preside over The Gambia with a steady hand, with high regard for human rights, and through promotion of the free press; and </li> <li> the peaceful transition of power is a tradition that must be upheld across the globe following all free and open election proceedings.</li> </ul> <ul> </ul>

tv_txt: IV 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 89 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

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.