e Government of Botswana has officially
denounced Yahya Jammeh, as President of The
Gambia. A statement issued today, January 19,
2017, said the country will cease to recognize
him as President of Gambia with immediate
effect.
According to Botswana government, the decision
was because Yahya Jammeh has refused to hand
power to President-elect Adama Barrow.

'Following Mr. Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to hand
over power to the President-elect Adama Barrow,
in accordance with the expressed will of the
Gambian people, the Government of Botswana
announces that it will no longer recognize Mr.
Jammeh as the President of Gambia, together
with his Government,” the statement said.
Read the full statement below..
RE: THE GAMBIA – BOTSWANA NO LONGER
RECOGNISES MR. JAMMEH
PRESS RELEASE Gaborone, 19th January 2017:
Following Mr. Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to hand
over power to the President-elect Adama Barrow,
in accordance with the expressed will of the
Gambian people, the Government of Botswana
announces that it will no longer recognise Mr.
Jammeh as the President of Gambia, together
with his Government. This decision which takes
effect immediately is consistent with Botswana’s
position as articulated through the Press Release
of 16th December 2016.
Mr. Jammeh’s decision not to respect the will of
the Gambian people undermines the ongoing
efforts to consolidate democracy and good
governance in The Gambia and Africa as a whole.

This is also in direct contravention of the spirit
and aspirations of the African Union Constitutive
Act.
The Government of Botswana therefore continues
to appeal to the international community to do all
within its power to exert pressure on Mr.
Jammeh to hand over power in order to ensure a
smooth transition.