Gambia president Yahya Jammeh rejects election result

Washington said Jammeh’s rejection of the results was an egregious attempt to undermine a credible election [Reuters]

Gambian president Yahya Jammeh has rejected the result of the presidential election held earlier this month, a week after conceeding defeat.

Mr Jammeh cited “abnormalities” in the vote and called for fresh elections.

Mr Jammeh, who took power in a coup in 1994, was defeated by Adama Barrow, who won more than 43% of the vote.

Mr Barrow accused the incumbent of damaging democracy by refusing to accept the result. His transition team said the president-elect was safe.

International criticism of Mr Jammeh came swiftly. The US and The Gambia’s neighbour, Senegal condemned his announcement, and the African Union called for a “peaceful and orderly transition of power”.

The results were revised by the country’s electoral commission on 5 December, when it emerged that the ballots for one area were added incorrectly, swelling Mr Barrow’s vote.

The error, which also added votes to the other candidates, “has not changed the status quo” of the result, the commission said.