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After conceding defeat, Gambian president makes shocking U-turn, rejects election result

Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh has rejected the result of the presidential election held earlier this month, a week after admitting defeat. Speaking on state TV on Friday, Jammeh cited “abnormalities” in the vote and called for fresh elections. Jammeh, who came to power in a military coup in 1994, suffered a shock defeat to Adama Barrow. “After a thorough investigation, …

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African woman set on fire by husband in the German city of Kiel dies, crime shocks community

Passers-by describe the scene as horrific as an African man poured petrol on his wife in broad daylight in the northern German town of Kronshagen, near Kiel on Wednesday. The Kieler Nachrichten, a daily newspaper, reports that the man poured fuel over his wife, both originally from Togo, as she left a clinic in the town before setting her ablaze. …

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Swazi opposition politician on what Africa can learn from Gambia’s election

After 22 years of authoritarian rule, Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh conceded defeat at the country’s elections on 1 December. We can learn from The Gambia that we are stronger united than divided, says Swazi activist Bheki Dlamini. Swaziland and The Gambia are two of Africa’s smallest nations, both less than 20,000 square km and with populations below 2 million. Both …

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Gambia: Army chief pledges allegiance to President-elect

Gambia’s army chief has pledged allegiance to President-elect Adama Barrow, Barrow’s spokeswoman has said, reinforcing hopes that the tiny West African nation will see its first peaceful change of power in more than half a century. A self-made real estate developer who once worked as a security guard at retailer Argos in London, Barrow beat incumbent Yahya Jammeh in last …

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German Chancellor Merkel calls for ban on the burka

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a ban on the burka in public life “wherever possible” during her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party congress in Essen, officially launching her election campaign to hold on to Germany’s Chancellery. Speaking to sustained applause from her CDU delegates, Merkel said the full-face veil worn by some Muslim women in Germany was …

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Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh pledges to hand over power by January and vows to remain in the country

Gambia’s Information Minister Sheriff Bojang has denied speculations that defeated President Yahya Jammeh may renege on his promise to hand over to his successor. The minister has assured his countrymen and women and the international community that Jammeh, who has ruled Gambia for 22 years with iron hand, will hand over to President-elect Adama Barrow latest by the end of …

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Nigeria bans importation of vehicles through land borders

The Federal Government of Nigeria has banned the importation of vehicles into Nigeria through the land borders. The ban takes effect from 1 January 2017. According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Customs, Wale Adeniyi, “The prohibition order covers all new and used vehicles.” He added, “The ban is sequel to a Presidential Directive restricting …

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Donald Trump appoints Nigerian member of his economic advisory team

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday named a Nigerian, Adebayo Ogunlesi, as a member of an advisory council that will help the incoming president implement “his plan to bring back jobs and Make America Great Again.” Ogunlesi is the Chairman and Managing Partner, Global Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm with more than $35bn in assets under management. He has …

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Five reasons why Gambian leader Yahyah Jammeh lost power after 22 years

President Yahya Jammeh scored only half his previous ballot box tally in last week’s election, handing victory to opposition coalition leader Adama Barrow. But why did Gambians turn against Jammeh after 22 years in power? Economic crisis A triple blow has been dealt to the Gambian economy in the last three years, making life close to unbearable for many and …

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