Gambian minister abandons Jammeh, flees to Senegal

By Alpha Kamara

DAKAR, Senegal (AA) - Gambian Information Minister and presidential spokesman Sheriff Bojang has resigned from his post late Monday evening and officially supported President-elect Adama Barrow.

Last month, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh conceded defeat before rejecting the election results a week later leading to uncertainty in the small West African country.

In a statement issued in Senegal where he is currently seeking asylum, Sheriff Bojang said: “I have taken the decision, to resign from the Government as Information & Communication Minister with immediate effect”.

“It is my considered opinion that the results of the pools represent a true reflection of the sovereign will of the Gambian people. The current attempts to challenge that are in fact an attempt to subvert the express will of the Gambian electorate," he added.

He called on his colleague ministers and President Jammeh to take what he called “the right decision for the future of the Gambia", stressing, it was never too late to do the right thing.

Sheriff Baba Bojang has been one of the most influential of Jammeh's ministers for the past two years. He was very vocal in supporting some of his tough decisions, including pulling out of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the arrest of journalists and opposition supporters.

Leaders of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) are scheduled to meet Jammeh Wednesday in order to attempt to end the political stalemate.