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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 Bulgaria 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 Black Sea. 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 Hitrino, 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.