Mauritanian leader to mediate Gambia crisis: Source

By Mohamed al-Bakay

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AA) - Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz will lead efforts to resolve Gambia’s ongoing political crisis, according to a local government source.

Gambia has been rocked by turmoil since President Yahya Jammeh refused to accept defeat by opposition leader Adama Barrow following a Dec. 1 election.

Jammeh had initially conceded defeat, but later appeared to change his mind, saying he would not relinquish power.

"President Abdel Aziz will visit Gambia in coming days with a view to finding a political solution to the country’s internal crisis," the source said Tuesday, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on talking to media.

"The president has cut short his annual vacation… in order to begin mediation efforts, which we believe will prove successful," the source asserted.

Ecowas, a West African regional bloc, has threatened to levy sanctions against Jammeh -- who first came to power in a 1994 coup -- if he refuses to surrender the presidency.

Last month, the UN Security Council denounced Jammeh’s apparent refusal to recognize the results of the poll.