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S. Africa recognizes Barrow as Gambia's legitimate president

Xinhua, January 20, 2017 Adjust font size:

The South African government said on Friday that it recognizes Adama Barrow as the legitimate president of The Gambia as tension was rising in his country over the transition of power.

Barrow was sworn in as the new president of The Gambia on January 19, 2017 at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

A candidate of the coalition of seven opposition parties, Barrow, staying in Dakar since Saturday, was declared the winner of the presidential election on December 2, 2016 by the Independent Electoral Commission.

But he was unable to take over the presidential power in Banjul because his election win was challenged by then president Yahya Jammeh, who refused to cede power to him.

The South African government urges Jammeh to cooperate with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and step down peacefully, said Clason Monyela, spokesperson of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The South African government wants Barrow to return to his country to assume the role democratically bestowed on him by the people of The Gambia, Monyela said.

"South Africa commends sterling efforts made by the international community, spearheaded by ECOWAS, the AU (African Union) and the UNSC (United Nations Security Council) in the quest to finding a lasting and peaceful resolution of the political crisis in The Gambia," said Monyela.

South Africa, Monyela said, looks forward to a close working relationship with Barrow and the people of The Gambia and will build and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

The UNSC on Thursday adopted a resolution, asking Jammeh to transfer power to Barrow by Thursday.

Jammeh has been given a final ultimatum to relinquish power after regional troops from five African nations entered The Gambia. Endit