Gambia electoral commissioner flees country amidst death threats

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Gambia's electoral commission chair has fled the country after receiving deaths threats over the presidential victory of Adama Barrow. Alieu Momar Njai disappearance follows the closure of three radio stations.

Alieu Momar Njai's nephew has confirmed that the chairman of Gambia's electoral commission has fled the west African nation.

Modou Njai told German news a gency DPA that his uncle had left the country due to death threats after confirming Yahya Jammeh as president in the December 1 election.
"He was not willing to leave," Njai'S nephew said. "But the family had to put pressure on him. I understand that he is currently outside Gambia."

With just two weeks until the planned inauguration of the new president, it was not immediately where Njai had fled. Barrow's victory was seen as an unexpected triumph for democracy in Gambia, which gained independence from Britain in 1965 but has since had only two presidents.

ECOWAS on alert

Njai declared Barrow had won the vote a day after the election and President Yahya Jammeh initially accepted defeat. A week later, however, the veteran leader who first seized power in a coup said he would not step down.
"I am not a coward. My right cannot be intimidated and violated. This is my position. Nobody can deprive me of that victory except the Almighty Allah," Jammeh said.
His change of heart drew international condemnation.