Mr. Jammeh is contesting results of the December 1, 2016 presidential elections at the Supreme Court, after earlier conceding defeat.

An ECOWAS mediating team headed by the Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari,failed to reach an agreement when it first visited him in December.

The ECOWAS is working to get Jammeh to accept defeat before his term expires on January 18, 2017.

At an ECOWAS mini-summit in Abuja, Nigeria on Monday, the team agreed to once again visit the Gambia “to discuss with Jammeh the need and imperative to respect the constitution”

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, briefing the press after the meeting in Abuja, said other dignitaries to visit Jammeh include Presidents of Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Immediate past President of Ghana, John Mahama, who is the co-mediator, will be part of the entourage, including representatives of the African Union and the United Nations.

Meanwhile the Chair of ECOWAS and President of Liberia, Ellen Johson Sirleaf, has assured that ECOWAS would adhere to the principles of democracy in handling the issue.

At the inaugural ceremony of Ghana’s new President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President Johnson Sirleaf admitted the brewing political stalemate in the Gambia is “perhaps the most difficult situation” currently facing the ECOWAS.

She called on Gambians to “follow the example of Ghana and put the interest of the nation above all personal interests”, and further assured “ECOWAS will exercise every effort to sustain peace and democracy” in that country.

“After accepting his loss in the elections, President Jammeh reversed cause and questioned the results in the elections. He has submitted his grievances to the Supreme Court which will start its review process on January 10. ECOWAS is closely following the process and the president of Nigeria is leading the effort as ECOWAS mediator”, she stated,  adding that, “we stand with the people of Gambia, and want to assure them of our unwavering adherence to the principles of democracy in our entire region.”

–

By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ECOWAS to make 2nd attempt at convincing Jammeh to step down appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the youth only the kingmakers of Gbese have the mandate to compel Ayi Bonte to abdicate.

The Gbese Mantse has come under intense pressure from some Ghanaians to abdicate  after vowing to do same if the National Democratic Congress is defeated in the December 7 polls.

[contextly_sidebar id=”mGUVJiOkv4vX8YUcJDLIO1XvDoNmeEJU”]Days after the election, some Ghanaians took to social media to call on the chief to honour his word.

But addressing the press on Friday, the youth leader for Gbese, Nii Anan Agbo Meshack said Nii Ayi Bonte II never said he will abdicate if the NPP won but rather said he will step down if Nii Lantey Vanderpuye and Oko Vanderpuije loses.

He added that Citi News said persons calling on the chief to step down have no right to do that.

“The seven day ultimatum cannot work, because those giving the ultimatum are not coming from the Gyase house so how do they give such ultimatum. Those given the ultimatum are nobody. Who are they and what is their capacity? He will never step down. He will only do that only when those who put him on the throne tells him to get down. Apart from the principal kingmakers of Gbese nobody can ask him to step down,” he added.

–

By: Godwin A. Allotey & Philip Nii Lartey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Gbese Mantse won’t step down – Youth appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.