JAMMEH’S LAWYER FLEES TO SENEGAL, IMPLORES HIM TO STEP DOWN

Gambia's embattled president, Yahya Jammeh

The lawyer representing Gambia’s president, Yahya Jammeh and his party, Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), has fled to Senegal ahead of the arrival of ECOWAS’ forces.

Edu Gomez, Jammeh’s lawyer, prior to his escape, had been part of a ploy to have the Supreme Court of Gambia overturn the victory of Adama Barrow and stop his inauguration as President.

The lawyer is said to have written a letter to the embattled President asking him to step down in the interest of peace.

A part of the letter reads:

“On Tuesday 17^th January 2017, my son and I took a crucial decision to seek sanctuary in the sister Republic of Senegal. This was found necessary due to the mounting fear and rapidly increasing tension at every passing moment.

“Having fortunately eluded the 24 hour military security around me and my family, I managed to arrive in Senegal where I now gained safely, respite and mental stability…

“In my present situation, I humbly and respectfully advise President Jammeh as the champion of peace he has been known to be to peacefully step aside in the interest of peace and safety of the Gambian People.

“Everything except God’s Kingdom, comes to an end. I advocate for a peaceful end rather than a violent and gruesome end…”

The beleaguered President of Gambia who has refused to hand over to Adama Barrow is becoming more isolated as more trusted aides have continued to desert him.