Gambia's Crisis Takes a New Twist as Vice President Joins 8 Cabinet Members to Resign from Office

Ahead of a scheduled hand-over to President-elect, Adama Barrow on Thursday, The Gambia's Vice President, Isatou Njie-Saidy has resigned from office.

President Jammeh & Vice President Njie-Saidy

 

The Vice President of Gambia, Isatou Njie-Saidy, has officially resigned on Wednesday, the same day as Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology & Religious Affairs, Abubacar Senghore, who is the eighth cabinet member to leave the government this month.

 

The Vice President who joined eight cabinet ministers to resign in the face of the political impasse in the country sparked by President Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to step down, comes hours before the mandate of Yahya Jammeh and his government comes to an end.

 

According to Gambian journalist, Alhagie Jobe who confirmed the resignation, thousands of tourists and foreign nationals have also flooded the Banjul airport in an effort to return home as the crisis deepens. 

 

The United States, United Kingdom and other European countries advised their citizens in the country to leave immediately as President Jammeh declared a three-month state of emergency on Tuesday starting from January 17 to April 17, 2017.

 

He also ordered the security forces, who pledged allegiance to him, to maintain law and order in the country during the period.

 

The resolution was passed by the country’s National Assembly after a motion was tabled by Majority Leader Fabakary Jatta on Tuesday morning. the Assembly also approved a resolution extending its life for 90 days effective from April 11 to July 11, 2017.