Africa, BREAKING NEWS
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THE Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Commission is concerned over the political situation in the Islamic State of The Gambia and condoles citizens who lost their relatives in the recent crackdown on them by security forces in the country.
According to ECOWAS, the political situation in the Islamic State of The Gambia is marked by the arrest, detention and death of some opposition leaders following demonstrations advocating political reforms prior to the presidential election scheduled to hold in December 2016.
In a statement made available to Realnews, April 19, ECOWAS reiterated that the consolidation of peace and stability in the Islamic State of The Gambia could only result from a consensual, inclusive and nationally-owned process and respect for constitutional order.
“ECOWAS therefore calls on the political stakeholders including opposition members and civil society organisations to display a profound sense of civic responsibility and patriotism in the exercise of their civil rights to peaceful assembly.
“ECOWAS further calls on the government of the Islamic State of The Gambia to ensure the freedom of expression and strict adherence to the rule of law and the principles of human rights. The Commission further appeals to the Gambian security forces to put up a republican comportment and refrain from the use of any form of excessive force while maintaining law and order”.
The ECOWAS Commission also extends its deep condolences to the families of the deceased persons and calls on the government of the Islamic State of The Gambia to shed light on the circumstances that led to the recent unfortunate event.
It said that the ECOWAS Commission would continue monitoring the situation, and expressed its readiness to support the authorities and citizens of the Islamic State of The Gambia to ensure a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
— Apr 20, 2016 @ 16:40 GMT
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