Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has said that he rejects the outcome of last week's election that he lost to opposition leader Adama Barrow, only days after he conceded defeat to him in a public address.

The fresh announcement he made on state television on Friday throws the future of the West African country into doubt after the unexpected election results ended Jammeh's 22-year rule.
Jammeh had conceded defeat on state TV last week, prompting wild celebrations over the ending of a government that human rights groups accused of detaining, torturing and killing opponents.

"After a thorough investigation, I have decided to
reject the outcome of the recent election. I lament
serious and unacceptable abnormalities which
have reportedly transpired during the electoral
process," Jammeh said, changing his position on
the election results.

"I recommend fresh and transparent elections
which will be officiated by a God-fearing and
independent electoral commission," he said.

Jammeh's announcement presents an unexpected
and severe challenge to the incoming Barrow
administration, which was already grappling with
how to take the reins of power and deal with the
army that, for two decades, was loyal to the
president.

The latest official figures gave Barrow a narrower
win than initially announced - 43.29 percent of the
votes for Barrow and 39.64 for Jammeh. Voter
turnout was at 59 percent.

The African Union called Jammeh's rejection of the
results "null and void" since he had already
conceded defeat.

"The Chairperson of the Commission strongly urges
President Yahya Jammeh to facilitate a peaceful
and orderly transition and transfer of power," AU
chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said, also calling
on Gambia's security forces to remain neutral.


Gambians worried

Soldiers were seen placing sandbags in strategic
locations across the capital Banjul on Friday, a
development that triggered widespread unease
among the already-spooked population, who had
been panic-buying food before the vote, due to
fear of unrest.

Witnesses told the Reuters news agency that there
was particular nervousness about the president's
statement that he would deal harshly with any
troublemakers who took to the streets.


Opposition spokeswoman Isatou Touray, on social
media, criticised a "violation of democracy" and
called for people to "remain calm, lucid, vigilant
and not retreat."

The US state department said in a statement that
Jammeh's rejection of the results was an egregious
attempt to undermine a credible election and
remain illegitimately in power.

Senegal's foreign minister, Mankeur Ndiaye, called
for an emergency meeting of the UN Security
Council and "solemnly" warned Jammeh not to
harm Senegal's interests or its citizens in Gambia.
Senegal, which has Gambia's only land border, and
entirely surrounds the small riverside country, is a
non-permanent member of the Security Council. Its
army intervened in Gambia in 1981, during a
coup.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/gambia-jammeh-rejects-result-presidential-election-161210034606068.html