Gambian President Jammeh Declares State of Emergency

Regular Contributor Janet Lee

​On Tuesday, with just two days left before he is supposed to cede power, Gambian president Jammeh decided to declare a state of emergency. The president elect, Barrow, is being sheltered in Senegal and four ministers resigned and fled to Senegal as well. Citizens, fearing an uprising, left for the neighboring country and also Guinea-Bissau. Nigeria started moving a warship towards Gambia to show force, and Senegal readied troops. (Some sources say that Gambia's military cannot compete due to favored promotions of people who cannot command their divisions.) On Wednesday, Jammeh's jet is fueled and ready, supposedly so his wife and children can flee, and tourists are being evacuated from the state. The legislature granted Jammeh a three-month grace period of extended rule after the declaration of a state of emergency ahead of Barrow's inauguration date of Friday.

Also of note, after Boko Haram attacked two sites in Nigeria, and Nigeria continued its efforts to eliminate the group, the state carried out a bombing that hit many civilians, including foreign medical personnel. The state regrets its circumstances but cites intelligence leading to the attack on a refugee camp. It is suggested that Cameroon may be a site where Boko Haram is growing. Something to watch.