Gambia Election: Police Fire Tear Gas to Disperse Protest of Opposition Party Supporters
Supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) have staged a protest as their leader Ousainou Darboe challenges the validity of the recently announced presidential result.
The protest is in direct response to Saturday’s polls which according to the official result announced by the IEC saw incumbent President Adama Barrow pulling 457,519 of the valid votes cast, whilst his close contender opposition strongman Ousainou Darboe pulled 238, 253.
In response the Gambia Police Force (GPF) are presently firing tear gas cannisters to disperse the crowd of protesters here at Kairaba Avenue.
Kairaba Avenue is the Gambia’s main thoroughfare which runs in a relatively straight line from Westfield Junction to the Atlantic Road. It is a major business area and home to the American Embassy.
Kairaba Avenue is also the area where the opposition leader Ousainou Darboe is resident. Earlier this afternoon a crowd of protesters gathered at his residence in solidarity with their leader who has rejected Saturday’s poll results.
Meanwhile, international observers, including the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, The Commonwealth among others have commended the Gambian people for the conduct of elections that are generally considered free, fair and credible.
The country’s Inspector General of Police has issued a statement warning against post electoral violence in The Gambia.