SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Gambia’s longtime ruler refuses to bow out, demands fresh polls Investigations reveal string of ‘unacceptable errors’ BANJUL: Gambia’s leader of some 22 years Yahya Jammeh announced late Friday he would no longer accept defeat in recent elections, plunging the West African country into turmoil with a demand for fresh polls. Investigations into the December 1 vote have revealed a string of “unacceptable errors” on the part of electoral authorities, Jammeh said in a speech broadcast on state television, adding that he would no longer concede to opponent Adama Barrow. “In the same way that I accepted the results faithfully believing that the Independent Electoral Commission was independent and honest and reliable, I hereby reject the results in totality,” he said. “Let me repeat: I will not accept the results based on what has hap- pened,” he added, warning Gambians not to take to the streets to protest his decision. Soldiers were seen placing sandbags in strate- gic locations across the capital Banjul Friday, a development which triggered widespread ACCRA: Supporters of Ghana’s President elect Nana Akufo-Addo, of the New Patriotic unease among the already-spooked popula- Party, celebrates presidential election victory. — AP tion, who had been panic-buying food before the vote due to fear of unrest. As the military deployed onto the streets of Akufo wins Ghana’s the tiny nation, the US Embassy in Banjul urged the army to continue to show “respect BANJUL: In a Thursday, Dec 1, 2016 file photo, Gambia’s president Yahya Jammeh shows his presidential election for the rule of law and the outcome of the inked finger before voting. — AP presidential election.” “The Gambian people neutral and free from foreign influence,” he said. Jammeh’s more than two decades in power. But have made a clear choice for change and a ACCRA: Challenger Nana Akufo-Addo won Africa’s most secure democracies. But fears pressure to prosecute Jammeh and top figures new start,” the embassy added. Latest official Shock victory in his administration, who have been accused of Ghana’s national election on Friday, tap- of widespread violence erupting during figures gave Barrow 43.29 percent of the votes ping into an electorate fed up with a sput- the election never materialized, with a Neighbouring Senegal immediately con- widespread human rights violations, is one of in the presidential election, while Jammeh demned the development, calling for a UN the key challenges facing the new government. tering economy and ready for change. The generally peaceful voting day followed by took 39.64 percent. The turnout was at 59 per- erudite 72-year-old human rights lawyer calm as the official results trickled in. “I Security Council meeting on Gambia and urg- Many Gambians had tired of their leader’s cent. Opposition spokeswoman Isatou Touray ing Jammeh to accept the “democratic choice, unpredictable behavior, including the declara- cruised to victory winning 53.8 percent of think Ghanaians should be extraordinarily criticised on social media a “violation of the votes, according to the country’s elec- proud of themselves,” said Ambassador freely expressed by the Gambian people” and tion of an Islamic republic in a country with a democracy” and called for people to “remain continue a peaceful transition of power to history of religious tolerance, and its withdrawal tion agency. Johnnie Carson of the National calm, lucid, vigilant and not retreat.” “I will not let you down. I will do all in Democratic Institute, an election observer. President-elect Barrow. The US State depart- from the Commonwealth and the International On December 2, Jammeh made a magnani- ment called the move “reprehensible and unac- Criminal Court. my power to live up to your hopes and “Ghana has distinguished itself in the last mous concession speech on television and expectations,” Akufo-Addo said to an two and a half decades with integrity and ceptable breach of faith with the people of The The perception that Jammeh simply took over promised-to general surprise-a peaceful and Gambia and an egregious attempt to under- businesses and properties for his personal gain ecstatic crowd at his house in the coun- transparency,” Carson said. “It is a gold swift handover of power to President-elect try’s capital of Accra. “I will do my best to standard for democracy in Africa.” mine a credible election process and remain in also angered many, while police harassment and Barrow, sparking celebrations in the country. But power illegitimately.” impunity by the security services, especially the serve your interests and put our country on Friday he pointed to errors which awarded back on the path of progress and prosperi- ‘Escaped violence’ “We call upon President Jammeh, who National Intelligence Agency that reported direct- victory to his opponent Adama Barrow with a accepted the election results on December 2, to ly to Jammeh, fed growing resentment. Barrow ty.”Incumbent John Mahama conceded Yet while the European Union slimmer margin than initially announced, claim- defeat in the evening two days after a hot- Election Observation Mission said that carry out an orderly transition of power to had vowed to set up a South Africa-style truth ing that numerous voters had not been able to President-Elect Barrow in accordance with the commission but ruled out a political “witch hunt” ly contested race that was seen as a test of Ghana “largely escaped the violence many cast their ballots. “This is the most dubious elec- the country’s democracy in a region had feared” it pointed to other areas of Gambian constitution,” spokesman Mark Toner and promised that his predecessor would be able tion we ever had in the history of this country,” he said. Jammeh’s move upends the situation in to “live in Gambia like any ordinary citizen”. Dozens plagued by dictators and coups. concern. “The misuse of incumbency, said. “We will go back to the polls because I want Mahama called to congratulate opposi- including unequal access to state media, Gambia, where the population had been hop- of opposition activists, including the leader of the to make sure every Gambian votes under an elec- ing for a peaceful democratic transition after United Democratic Party (UDP) had already been tion leader Akufo-Addo, whose New and unaccountable campaign financing toral commission that is impartial, independent, Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters had been were areas Ghana could address in the Barrow’s shock victory this month ended freed from prison on bail this week. — AFP gathering for hours outside his house future,” said the mission in a statement. after local media gave him a clear lead fol- Akufo-Addo will serve a four-year term lowing the Wednesday vote. “Yes he has in the former British colony, a once boom- Gas train blast in kills five conceded defeat,” George Lawson of ing country that has seen its economy Mahama’s New Democratic Congress slow, currency deteriorate and inflation SOFIA: At least five people were blast occurred at 5:37am (0337 of Varna, Bulgaria’s largest port on put out around noon, local authori- (NDC) party told AFP. soar. Mahama, who came to power in 2012 killed yesterday and 27 were injured GMT) at the village, located about the . ties said. “There will be more than Akufo-Addo had campaigned on a plat- after beating Akufo-Addo, had urged vot- when a freight train transporting 100 kilometers from Varna, Aerial footage showed a massive five victims. form promising to boost growth and ers to “stay the course”, promising to deliv- gas derailed and exploded in the Bulgaria’s main port on the Black plume of black smoke rising over There are several injured with deliver jobs. “The president of Ghana is er more infrastructure projects. In his third northeastern Bulgarian village of Sea. The interior ministry said there the small village, which is home to 90 percent burns,” Bulgaria’s outgo- president for every single Ghanaian,” bid for the top job, Akufo-Addo blasted , officials said. “Five victims were 200 firefighters and rescuers at some 800 people. Charred tankers ing Prime Minister Boyko Borisov Akufo-Addo said, as fireworks popped Ghana’s poor economic growth rate-esti- have been confirmed dead so far the scene. More than 50 houses lay scattered around the tracks of after arriving at the site. He overhead and thousands of people mated at 3.3 percent in 2016, the lowest and 27 injured,” the interior ministry were damaged and 40 families evac- the nearly ruined railway station. appealed for blood donations for cheered in the streets outside his house. rate for two decades-and laid out a radical said in a statement. The train was uated. “Four victims have been iden- There was debris everywhere. “There the hospitals treating the injuries. vision to transform the country’s economy. carrying more than 20 tankers of tified but we fear there will be more. is devastation in the area around the Residents said the firefighters had ‘Gold standard’ Akufo-Addo had also warned his sup- propylene gas and propane butane Twenty-five people were blast site. Twelve people have been been “very slow” to arrive and many Akufo-Addo’s supporters - almost all porters that “vigilance is key” at the polls when it derailed while entering the injured,” civil defence chief Nikolay rescued from under the ruins alive burst into tears while recounting in head-to-toe white, a symbol of victory - in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the village’s rail station. Nikolov said. A hospital in the near- so far and firefighters are checking how their houses collapsed. Cargo had been dancing on his lawn for hours in 2012 vote-narrowly won by Mahama with The last two tankers hit a power by town of said an 18- for more,” Nikolov added. train accidents are relatively fre- anticipation of his victory speech. At one 50.7 percent-that he contested unsuccess- line and exploded and seven year-old man had died from his Hitrino’s station, the police quent in Bulgaria where railway point, they broke out in an enthusiastic a fully in the country’s Supreme Court. tankers full of propylene went off injuries, while three people with headquarters and several homes tracks are obsolete and regularly cappella rendition of Ghana’s national Ghana is the world’s second biggest pro- the tracks, local police spokes- life-threatening burns have been along the railway tracks were pillaged by thiefs. But victims are anthem. “We have won,” said Hajia ducer of cocoa after Ivory Coast and woman Assia Yordannova said. The transported to a hospital in the city razed. Fires raging in the area were extremely rare. — AFP Mustafa, a 44-year-old trader, flashing a Africa’s second biggest gold producer wide smile, “I have my president, I have my after South Africa. But it was forced to turn choice.” The high-stakes race between to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Akufo-Addo and Mahama has been seen in 2015 for a bailout as global commodity as a litmus test of the stability for one of prices tanked. — AFP aiming to extend the state of emergency

PARIS: The French government dential elections in April-May 2017 and announced plans yesterday to extend a legislative polls in June. The state of national state of emergency until after emergency must “encompass all electoral elections next year, citing a heightened operations” Cazeneuve said at a meeting risk of jihadist attacks coinciding with of the French cabinet, warning of the polls. The security measures-in force since danger of those “who want to strike at attacks in Paris that killed 130 people in the heart of our democratic values and November 2015 — will be debated in republican principles.” parliament Tuesday before their expected The extension until July 15 would also approval by the Senate on Thursday. allow a new president-incumbent “This electoral campaign period, Francois Hollande is not seeking re-elec- which naturally includes numerous pub- tion-to assess security and prolong the lic meetings and rallies, will also unfortu- state of emergency if necessary, nately incur an increased risk of attacks,” Cazeneuve added. Hollande’s tenure has said newly-appointed French Prime been marred by the three major Islamist- Minister Bernard Cazeneuve. The state of inspired terror attacks-against Charlie emergency-which gives police extended Hebdo magazine in January 2015, then in powers of search and arrest-has already Paris the following November and in been renewed four times. Nice. Cazeneuve, the former interior min- France was also left in mourning in ister who coordinated the introduction of July this year after a Tunisian jihadist the state of emergency, took over as rammed a truck through a crowd of prime minister on Tuesday after Manuel Bastille Day revellers in the city of Nice, Valls stepped down to seek the Socialist killing 86 people. France will hold presi- nomination for the presidency. — AFP HITRINO: Firefighters continue to work at the scene after a tanker train derailed and gas tank exploded. — AP Italy in new government endgame, bank fears rise

ROME: Talks on creating a new Italian government bers in parliament to sway the decisions he has to debt holders will have to share some of the losses. major capital-raising operation of its own which entered a decisive phase yesterday as fears mount- make. The real work began yesterday with talks may have to be repriced, delayed or pulled as a ed that any new premier will have to handle a with junior coalition party the New Centre Right Renzi comeback opposed result of the current uncertainty. politically toxic banking crisis. President Sergio (NCD) to be followed by meetings with officials of BMPS shares slumped more than 10 percent on Among those who visited Mattarella yesterday Mattarella is trying to broker a deal among politi- the populist Five Star Movement, Silvio Friday, taking this year’s slide in value to 85 per- morning was Arturo Scotto, a lawmaker with the cal parties on the creation of a caretaker adminis- Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and Renzi’s Democratic cent. The bank’s board was holding crisis talks over Left Ecology party (SEL), who warned that any tration to guide the country to elections. Party. Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, the NCD’s the weekend. Saving the world’s oldest bank will attempt to reinstate Renzi would be greeted with A nationwide vote is due by early 2018 but leader, emerged to say there was no need to rush be politically difficult for whoever oversees the fury. “It would be a provocation to voters who not could take place up to a year earlier if there is no to elections. operation. Most analysts see it and other Italian only rejected his reforms but also delivered a deal. Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni emerged as “The government... is not like a yoghurt. It does banks as needing radical restructuring involving damning judgment on his social, political and the pundits’ favorite to succeed Matteo Renzi amid not have a ‘best-before’ date,” he said sardonically. inevitable redundancies. But there are many small environmental policies,” Scotto said. swirling speculation that the ougoing prime minis- The need for a new government has become press- investors who have BMPS bonds, and their savings Veteran Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, ter’s re-appointment was also an option. Renzi ing following the European Central Bank’s decision will be hit in any rescue deal. Renzi ally Graziano Delrio, and former anti-mafia resigned after a crushing defeat in last weekend’s to reject Rome’s request for more time to persuade Imposing losses at smaller banks last year hit prosecutor Pietro Grasso, are also being touted as referendum on constitutional reform, plunging the investors to back a five-billion-euro private bailout Renzi’s standing hard and was linked to at least possible new premiers. Renzi is reportedly lobby- country into a political crisis just as the long-antici- for troubled bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena one suicide. The ECB appears to have judged that ing hard to keep out Culture Dario Franceschini, pated banking crunch landed in the finance min- (BMPS). The bank, identified as being vulnerable to delaying a solution will only risk a wider crisis in who is seen as a potential rival to the outgoing PM istry’s lap. failure in stress tests last year, had asked for an the Italian banking sector that could have damag- for the leadership of the Democratic Party, which Mattarella has spent the last two days talking extra five weeks to raise the funds it needs to avoid ing implications for the rest of the eurozone. Italy’s remains the country’s most popular political force mainly to fringe parties without sufficient num- a government bailout under which, under EU rules, biggest bank, UniCredit, meanwhile is planning a ahead of the fast-rising Five Star. — AFP