Jammeh declares State of Emergency in Gambia

President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia has declared a 90-day State of Emergency in the country, 24 hours before his tenure officially ends.

In his televised announcement, Jammeh decried “extraordinary” foreign interference in his country’s politics.

He also stated that “any acts of disobedience to the laws The Gambia, incitement of violence and acts intended to disturb public order and peace” are banned under the State of Emergency.

Jammeh said security forces had been instructed to “maintain absolute peace, law and order”.

Earlier, the National Assembly passed a motion condemning what it called the “unlawful and malicious interference” of the African Union and the country’s neighbour, Senegal, in The Gambia’s affairs.