Gambia: EU urges political parties to express views through public rallies
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The European Union (EU) Delegation to The Gambia, has urged political parties in The Gambia to express their views through public manifestations or rallies.
In a statement, obtained by PANA here on Friday, the EU called on all political parties to do so in a calm, peaceful, law-abiding and respectful manner, and to refrain from using threatening languages and or aggressive conducts.
PANA reports that the tiny West African nation have witnessed various protests ranging from demands for President Adama Barrow to step down.
On January 12, 2020, Gambia for five years, a pro-government group, protested and petitioned President Barrow to rule for five years.
On Thursday, January 16, 2020, ex-president Yahya Jammeh, Alliance for patriotic re-orientation and construction APRC party organised a protest to demand that the former Gambian leader should be allowed to return to the country.
Jammeh, 54, ruled the country for 22 years. He has been living in exile in Equatorial Guinea after losing in a 2016 presidential election to President Barrow.
According to the EU, “The EU Delegation hereby reiterates that it is not in any way associated with or supports any particular political movement seeking to illegally or unconstitutionally change the democratic order in The Gambia.
"The EU Delegation to The Gambia continues to support The Gambia in its efforts to enhance democracy, to promote national reconciliation and to further the protection of human rights, including the freedoms of expression and of peaceful assembly.”
-0- PANA MSS/VAO 17Jan2020
