Gambia News : Gambian opposition leader carpets Jammeh

Sep 05,2010 00:00 by lamin

Gambian opposition leader, Halifa Sallah, on Monday sharply reacted to President Yahya Jammeh's assertion that "neither coup nor elections" could remove him from power, saying Jammeh's remarks were "alien to the constitution" of the West African nation, PANA reported from here.

Jammeh, while on a nation-wide-tour recently, told Gambians he would stay on till he decides to hand-over the presidency to his chosen representative.

Sallah wrote to Jammeh, reminding him: "Mr. President, your remarks are alien to the constitution, which states; - The sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of the Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised".

He wrote: "Mr. President, unlike you, we are telling the Gambian people that in 2011, they should elect a government that will last only for five years and the incumbent should preside over free and fair elections and leave office like Nelson Mandela.

"Let us remind you that modern South Africa is also 16 years old. Apartheid was put to an end in 1994 when Nelson took over. Now South Africa is proud to display three presidents, whose assumption of office is peaceful and has not led to any erosion of national integrity."