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FULL TEXT OF THE DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY BY

PRESIDENT JAMMEH:

I, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh Babili Mansa,

President of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia and

Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Acting under the

provisions of section 34 (1) (b) of the constitution of the Islamic

Republic of the Gambia, today, the 17th of January 2017,

hereby declare a state of public emergency throughout the

Islamic Republic of Gambia as a situation exists which, if it is

allowed to continue, may lead to a state of public emergency.

The unprecedented and extraordinary amount of foreign

interference in the 1st December Presidential Elections, and

also in the internal affairs of the Gambia, and the unwarranted

hostile atmosphere threatening the sovereignty, peace,

security and stability of the country.

The inability of the Supreme Court to convene as a result of the

non-appearance of the Judges to hear the election petitions,

mainly influenced by foreign powers and their agents, in an

effort to thwart the constitutionally mandated process, as

captured in an audio recording of the absconded chairman of

the IEC discussing on how plans have been made to ensure the

Supreme Court Judges will not sit on time to hear the petitions

against the flawed results he published.

The current state of fear and confusion created by some of the

political players in the country, which could lead to the

breakdown of law and order.

The need to prevent a constitutional crisis and power vacuum

pending the determination of the petitions at the Supreme

Court and the application for an injunction against swearing in

Mr. Adama Barrow or anybody as president of the Islamic

Republic of the Gambia, until the Supreme Court decides on

the 1st December 2016 Presidential Election results.

Under this state of public emergency, civil liberties are to be

fully respected while all citizens and residents in the Gambia

are banned from any acts of disobedience to the Laws of the

Gambia, incitement to violence and acts intended to disturb

public order and peace.

The security forces are hereby instructed to maintain absolute

law and order throughout the country.

Signed:

His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhagie Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh

Babili Mansa

President of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia.