The Latest: Defeated Gambia Leader Says Relinquishing Power

[oberliner]

Source: NY Times

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh says he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave.

Jammeh spoke early Saturday on state television, saying that "I think it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed."

He did not give details on any deal that was struck, and it is not clear when Adama Barrow, who beat Jammeh in last month's election, will return from neighboring Senegal to take power.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/01/20/world/africa/ap-af-gambia-crisis-the-latest.html

[tenorly]

1. And to think our new leader was unwilling to do so.

It takes a lot of effort to be more undemocratic than Yahya Jammeh, President Trump.

[Little Tich]

2. Good. n/t

[SunSeeker]

3. Good. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Yahya Jammeh leaves the Gambia after 22 years of rule

Yahya Jammeh, the former Gambian president, has left the Gambia after he finally agreed to step down following 22 years of rule.

Jammeh flew out of the capital Banjul on Saturday and into exile after stepping down from power, witnesses and mediators said.
...
The Guinean president, Alpha Condé, and the UN’s regional chief, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, had remain in the capital, and a regional force was positioned in the country, ready to move in if Jammeh changed his mind and again refused to cede power.
...
Barrow, still across the border in Senegal, said he would get to work immediately on rebuilding the Gambia’s economy and righting the wrongs of the past 22 years.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/21/anxious-gambians-await-former-president-yahya-jammeh-departure

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. The Gambia 'missing millions' after Jammeh flies into exile

More than $11m (£8.8m) is missing from The Gambia's state coffers following the departure of long-time leader Yahya Jammeh, an adviser to President Adama Barrow has said.

Mai Ahmad Fatty said financial experts were trying to evaluate the exact loss.

Luxury cars and other items were reportedly loaded on to a Chadian cargo plane as Mr Jammeh left the country.

Mr Jammeh, who flew into exile after 22 years in power, has not commented on the allegations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-38714007

Trimp's kind of leader. Just imagine what a team they could have made ...