SI congratulates President-elect of Gambia, Adama Barrow
2 December 2016
The Socialist International warmly congratulates President-elect Adama Barrow on his decisive victory in the elections of 1 December 2016, finally bringing to an end the dictatorial reign of Yahya Jammeh who originally seized power in a coup in 1994.
Adama Barrow, of the SI member party the United Democratic Party (UDP), was the presidential candidate of an alliance of opposition parties.
This victory for the democratic opposition heralds a new era for democracy and offers hope to the people of Gambia who have for decades suffered the consequences of an authoritarian regime that has deprived them of their rights and freedoms, committed human rights violations, physical abuse and murder of political detainees in custody, denied them freedom of expression, and repressed and harassed members of the opposition.
The Socialist International had repeatedly denounced the actions of the Jammeh regime and called for the liberation of all political prisoners, including UDP leader Ousainou Darboe who was incarcerated last April.
Today we celebrate with the people of Gambia and reaffirm our solidarity with the UDP and all the democratic forces in the country who have waited so long for this day.