The sudden recant by the incumbent Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, of his concession of defeat in the just concluded polls in the country once again brings to the front burner the sit-tight syndrome amongst some African leaders and the hypocrisy of the democratic process they proclaim.
Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Executive Chairman of Egalitarian Africa said this attitude makes a mockery of the democratic process in the country and puts a question mark on the character of the President-incumbent and the democratisation process in that country. Ajulla issued a statement to that effect on Tuesday, December 13.
Ajulo’s statement read: “Twenty-two years ago, President Jammeh came into power through a coup against a democratically elected government in Gambia with the premise that his action was a movement to put the government back on track. Today, with his military action against democracy in the past forgiven or neglected, it would seem the President is bent on pushing the boundaries of permissible actions.
“The President must be reminded of best practices and the common sense that one cannot be a judge in his own case. The Gambian election was noted internationally and locally for its fairness and the peace that accorded it’s conduct. It would be tantamount to ridiculing the laws of the land, the election umpires and the electorates to, in one fell swoop, annul the election. Nobody is allowed to wield such power, not in a democratic clime, not in our time.
“This is thus a call on the outgoing President Jammeh to do the conscientious and respect the laws of the land, the principles of democracy and the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance to which his country is a plenary subscriber. Note and respect must also be paid to Article 23 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, notably the rejection of unconstitutional changes of the will of the people.
“This would be a tribute to him and a submission to the people ‘s will. As a continent we have come far and learnt lessons. Such autocratic tendencies are not reflective of the people ‘s will, nor can it be sustained against the people ‘s ultimate will. President Jammeh is reminded of fellow West-African colleagues such as Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana who both took the path of honour in the defeat suffered at the polls.
“We at Egalitarian African therefore call on the President to take this one up the chin and not cause undue anxiety over the future of the country. Such draconian tendencies would be met with equal force, in words and actions. Africa can no longer lag behind in the race for development and growth in a bid to accommodate the whims and egos of its autocratic leaders. Enough is indeed enough.
“Let this be considered a supplication, an entreaty, a piece of advice and also a warning. The threat to democracy in any part of our dear continent is a threat to democracy in all its member countries. Let it be known that we will resist with full force, by words and actions this attempt to rubbish democracy.
“It is on notice that President Jammeh ordered to the streets his league of soldiers in a show of power and intimidation. Such a brusque insinuation will not go un-responded.
“In the spirit of fair warning, President Jammeh is reminded that no one man is an island of force. While the world watches, the Egalitarian Africa group hereby call on all stakeholders in the future of Africa to prevail by whatever means to reclaim the people ‘s mandate in the land of Gambia. The international community is equally invited to justify the spirit of brotherhood envisaged by the Commonwealth and the United Nations.
“The Egalitarian Africa group is more than ready and poised to justify it’s intentions in the restoration of the mandate of the people of Gambia, at whatever point that becomes inevitable.
“We continue to pray for a peaceful resolution of this non-issue but will not shy away from the call of duty at and as when due.
“Africa must be great again.”