Secretary-General Dismayed over President’s Statement Rejecting Election Outcome in Gambia, Urges Legal Resolution of All Disputes

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is dismayed by the 9 December statement by President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia rejecting the outcome of the 1 December presidential election.

The Secretary-General calls on President Jammeh and all political actors and their supporters to fully respect the outcome of the election and to resolve all disputes that may arise from the electoral process through established legal procedures in an expeditious and transparent manner.

He reiterates his earlier call for a peaceful, timely and orderly transfer of power, in full respect of the will of the Gambian people as expressed in the election.  The Secretary-General urges all stakeholders, including defence and security forces, to refrain from any statements or actions that may lead to violence or unrest.