AFRICA GROUP FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

21 DECEMBER 2016
The Africa Group for Justice and Accountability Calls for the Restoration of Democracy
and Rule of Law in The Gambia
The Africa Group for Justice and Accountability (AGJA) joins the unanimous calls from the international community
demanding the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in The Gambia. The AGJA expresses its deep
concern and disapproval at attempts by outgoing President Yahya Jammeh to undermine stability in the country
by demanding that the recent results of the presidential elections be overturned. The AGJA further welcomes all
domestic, regional, and international efforts to support President-elect Adama Barrow and ensure a smooth and
peaceful transition of power.
Presidential elections were held in The Gambia on 1 December 2016. The results of the election gave Presidentelect Barrow a clear victory. Following the election, Mr. Jammeh announced that he would concede the presidency,
which he has held for the last 22 years. However, Mr. Jammeh subsequently declared that he would no longer
respect the election results and led a petition with the Supreme Court to challenge the vote, throwing the country
into uncertainty. In response, Gambians signalled their disapproval of Jammehs actions en masse, unifying around
the democratic process in the country.
Mr. Jammehs decision has also been met with severe criticism by African states, regional organisations including
ECOWAS, the United Nations Security Council, and other members of the international community. On 17 December,
ECOWAS declared that it unequivocally supported the results of the presidential elections in The Gambia. ECOWAS
further agreed that it would take all necessary actions to enforce the results of the elections and nominated a
mediation committee, led by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The AGJA stated: Any subversion of the democratic will of the Gambian people by Mr. Jammeh is unacceptable
and must be emphatically rejected. Mr. Jammehs rst decision to respect the outcome of the election was
the right one. The Africa Group added: The AGJA stands in solidarity with the brave citizens of The Gambia in
defending democracy and rule of law. All efforts to restore and protect The Gambias democracy and rule of law
must be supported. The AGJA joins the people of The Gambia in expressing its appreciation of the show of unity and
purpose from ECOWAS. It is the AGJAs hope that ongoing mediation to resolve this crisis through peaceful means
will be successful. Reecting its ongoing and unyielding commitment to peace, justice and accountability in Africa,
the AGJA stands ready to support these efforts.
In line with its Kilimanjaro Principles on Justice and Accountability, the AGJA continues to offer its expertise,
mediation and facilitation to all African states, regional organisations, and other relevant actors.

The members of the Africa Group for Justice and Accountability:

Dapo Akande (Nigeria)
Professor of Public International Law, University of Oxford
Femi Falana (Nigeria)
Human rights activist and lawyer
Hassan Bubacar Jallow (Gambia)
Former Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and International
Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
Richard Goldstone (South Africa)
Former Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia
Tiyanjana Maluwa (Malawi)
H. Laddie Montague Chair in Law, Pennsylvania State University School of Law
Athaliah Molokomme (Botswana)
Attorney General of Botswana
Betty Kaari Murungi (Kenya)
Independent Consultant on Human Rights and Transitional Justice
Mohamed Chande Othman (Tanzania)
Chief Justice of Tanzania
Navi Pillay (South Africa)
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic)
Former Transitional President of the Central African Republic
Fatiha Serour (Algeria)
Director of Serour Associates for Inclusion and Equity
Abdul Tejan-Cole (Sierra Leone)
Executive Director of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa

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