Gambia Electoral Head Flees Country

The Chairman of the Gambian Electoral Commission, Alieu Momar Njie, has fled the country after threats were made to his life, according to his nephew.

Image result for Alieu Momar Njie gambia
Alieu Momar Njie

Gambian opposition leader Adama Barrow was declared by Njie as winner of the presidential election but President Yahya Jammeh has refused to step down, challenging the election results in court.

Security forces had earlier occupied the office of the electoral commission and denied staff access for weeks, but have since left the premises.

Modou Njie told journalists on Tuesday that his uncle had left the country because of the threats.

“He was not willing to leave but the family had to put pressure on him.

“I understand that he is currently outside Gambia,’’ he said.

Jammeh continues to defy international powers to relinquish power after losing the election to Barrow, a former real estate agent who was little known even in Gambia before he announced his candidacy.

Barrow said on Monday that he would take power on January 19 as mandated by the constitution, in spite of Mr. Jammeh’s court challenge.