19 Jan 2017

Following Mr Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to hand over power to the President-elect Adama Barrow, in accordance with the expressed will of the Gambian people, the government of Botswana announces that it will no longer recognise Mr Jammeh as the President of Gambia, together with his government.

A news release from the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation states that this decision which takes effect immediately is consistent with Botswana’s position as articulated through the Press Release of December 16.

The release further states that Mr Jammeh’s decision not to respect the will of the Gambian people undermines the ongoing efforts to consolidate democracy and good governance in The Gambia and Africa as a whole.

“This is also in direct contravention of the spirit and aspirations of the African Union Constitutive Act.

The government of Botswana therefore continues to appeal to the international community to do all within its power to exert pressure on Mr Jammeh to hand over power in order to ensure a smooth transition,” states the release. BOPA