Jammeh Set for a Bloody end?

Gambia, one of Africa’s most impoverished nations is on the edge of a political crisis that could plunge the nation into violence, after President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency, a move that further points to his desire to hold onto power despite his defeat to Adama Barrow.

Barrow, a former security guard in a London store is set to be sworn in on Thursday. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has backed him and plans for military intervention are alive, in case Jammeh refuses to cede power.

The embattled despot, who has ruled Gambia since 1994 already saw his Finance, Trade, Foreign Affairs and Environment ministers resign, while Emmanuel Fagbenle, the Chief Justice withdrew from hearing the case in which Jammeh sought to stop Barrow’s inauguration.

The resignations have greatly weakened Jammeh’s strong grip at home, while in the international community, nations such as Senegal consider him a pariah for antagonizing its past and current leaders.

Jammeh is running short of options since his blatant refusal after talks with an ECOWAS delegation, led by Liberia president, Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson.

The man who single-handedly declared The Gambia to be a Muslim state and withdrew it from the Commonwealth, is sure to exit the nation’s highest office.

The nature of his exit threatens to be bloody. 

Foreign military intervention, most likely to launch attacks from neighboring Senegal remains the most likely option on Thursday.

He vowed to rule the tiny West African nation for a billion years, adding it was the will of Allah. Jammeh is now forced to accept the end has come.

Jammeh’s refusal to hand-over power to Barrow may hinge on a clever decision to strike a deal with the international community, where he will be granted asylum in exchange for a peaceful transition.

Under his iron-fisted rule, media freedom has suffered, opposition leaders arbitrary arrested, tortured and some died in police custody, not forgetting his HIV-cure antics, where he subjected patients to partake of dangerous paraphernalia.

Jammeh knows too well that when Barrow comes to power, it may be the start of his tribulations before the Gambian courts that he has for years patronized.

Nigeria has reportedly sent a war-ship to the coast of Gambia as the likelihood of military action against Jammeh draws ever close.

ECOWAS and the international community vowed to ensure the popular decision of the Gambian people, and save them from the feared tin-pot dictator.

Jammeh, once the dreaded despot is about to endure an embarrassing and possibly bloody last day in power.