You must respect Gambian constitution, Sirleaf tells Jammeh

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the constitution of The Gambia must be respected amidst President Yahya Jammeh’s appeal to the sub-regional body.

Jammeh had, on January 15, 2017, telephoned Sirleaf to make an appeal to ECOWAS Authority to make judges available as a means of addressing the political crisis in the country.

Jammeh is challenging the outcome of the December 1, 2016 presidential election which he lost to his rival, Adama Barrow at the country’s Supreme Court. But there are no judges to hear the case.

President Sirleaf, who also chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, in a statement said, “This was nothing new as he had said the same thing in meetings with the mediating team twice in Banjul”.

She said unfortunately, being the person that he is, Jammeh recorded and televised their conversation without advising her of his intent to do so.

“Let me make it clear that there is no change in ECOWAS position. The Constitution of The Gambia must be respected,” Sirleaf added.