Success: Gambian President Agreed to Step Down After Election Defeat

Target: Yahya Jammeh, former President of The Gambia

Goal: Thank resistant president for finally agreeing to step down after election defeat.

Gambia’s defeated president, Yahya Jammeh, was reluctant to relinquish his seat in office when he lost an election, but after pressure from the international community, he finally stepped down. Threats from the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which The Gambia is part of, and criticism from human rights activists, including this ForceChange petition, gave the ruler no choice but to give up the office he held for over 20 years. Adama Barrow is the elected president, and he has been waiting in Senegal, which surrounds The Gambia, where we was officially sworn in upon Jammeh’s departure.

As Jammeh flew out of the country, he took with him luxurious cars and millions of dollars. Like many African rulers, he was known for his lavish lifestyle and had possibly been stealing from the government throughout his entire term. Gambia is already in poor shape, and the government has been drained of funds. Jammeh is requesting amnesty for himself, his family, and those who served on his team, but new president Darrow has suggested opening an investigation into their potential crimes.

No one is sure where Jammeh will settle down, though he first stopped off in Guinea. ECOWAS troops with the support of the U.N. Security Council, stood by to ensure that the transfer of power was peaceful. Though the ex-president took off with money and assets that belong to the Gambian people, the new ruler is likely to set in place a new type of leadership that will be fairer for all citizens. Sign this petition to thank Jammeh for doing the right thing for his country by stepping down from office.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Jammeh,

A peaceful transfer of power is important in any democracy for the safety of its people and for the security of its established government. You switched back and forth on your willingness to respect the results of the election, but your decision to finally step down was the right thing to do.

Taking millions of dollars and luxury vehicles with you when you left was not as acceptable, and many will be pushing for an investigation into crimes you may have committed during your tenure as president. In the meantime, I applaud you for helping The Gambia move in the right direction and retain its hold on democracy.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Lawrence Jackson