Yahya Jammeh changed his mind to step down after defeat because of fear
Gambian president Yahya Jammeh refused to step down and condemned efforts by west African regional leaders to get him to hand over power after he lost an election to challenger Adama Barrow.
Jammeh initially accepted the results of the 1 December election, which was seen across Africa as a moment of hope. He is accused by human rights groups of the detention, torture, and killing of perceived opponents during his 22-year rule.
But why a sudden change of mind after accepting defeat? Following his defeat, there were rumors in the country that in fear, Yahya Jammeh has gone into hiding and since he has violated human rights and accused of killing some of his opponents, he is likely to appear in The Hague, at the International Criminal Court.
Even though he is assured not facing any prosecution on leaving office, a spokesman for the opposition coalition that backed president-elect Barrow told AFP, Yahya Jammeh like other African heads of states doesn't trust anyone.
“Ecowas wanted to know whether the incoming administration plans to prosecute outgoing President Yahya Jammeh,” spokesman Halifa Sallah said following talks on the peaceful transfer of power.
“There is no indication of a threat of prosecution or the need to threaten outgoing President Yahya Jammeh,” he said.
“President-elect Barrow says he is going to treat outgoing President Yahya Jammeh like a former head of state and would consult him for advice,” Sallah added.
French President François Hollande said the results of the 1 December polls were “indisputable” and that Barrow “must be installed as soon as possible.”
“The matter is non-negotiable,” Hollande said after a meeting in Paris with visiting Senegalese President Macky Sall, whose country nearly surrounds the Gambia.
Last week, Ecowas said Jammeh must step down next month when his term runs out and vows “to take all necessary action to enforce the results” of the poll, without spelling out what those measures might be.
Yahya after the defeat is not at rest or mentally stable because he doesn't know his future after being in power for more than two decades. His international relations worsened after the threat of decapitating homosexuals in his country.
This was just a warning that the Gambia can't accept this kind of love affair, something many African leaders also don't support. Africa is a continent that has suffered a great deal. After slavery and the brutalities of Apartheid, Aids and Ebola have completely decimated the face of the continent.
No one knows what comes next after the continent becomes 'the paradise of homosexuals,' especially in a continent that is often neglected whenever there is an outbreak of a disease. The international community waits and when the situation gets worse before they try to do something.
Yahya Jammeh's abuse of power continues after refusing to step down despite accepting defeat at first
No one should hate Jammeh for preventing his country or Africa to be a 'Ghetto for Homosexuals' but it's totally insane for changing his mind to step down after defeat. Gambians want a change Yahya. Your trust and love have diminished, thus; it's time to step down.