Gambia condemns ECOWAS observers for poll boycott

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is often criticised for human rights abuses. By Seyllou (AFP)

BANJUL (AFP) - Gambia's foreign ministry on Wednesday condemned a decision by the west African regional bloc to boycott its presidential polls because it believed they would not be free and fair.

A ministry statement said the government "is utterly dismayed by, and condemns in the strongest unequivocal terms' the decision not to send an observer mission to Gambia for November 24 elections.

On the eve of the polls which returned long-serving ruler Yahya Jammeh to office, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said his control of the media and intimidation of voters meant the election could not be free, fair and transparent.

A fact-finding mission had reported "an unacceptable level of control of the electronic media by the party in power ... and an opposition and electorate cowed by repression and intimidation."

Other observer missions said while polling went peacefully there was a significant lack of a level playing field.

The Commonwealth team said "the ruling party's use of the state machinery during the campaign period amounted to a serious abuse of incumbency."

The African Union said media coverage was strongly weighted in favour of Jammeh and noted a "gross imbalance in the financial and material capability of the candidates."

Jammeh, who took power in a 1994 coup, won a fourth term in the elections with 72 percent of the vote in Africa's smallest mainland nation, where he is often criticised for human rights abuses and the muzzling of journalists.

He retains support for overseeing strong economic growth and construction of roads, schools and hospitals, but he has in the past isolated communites who do not vote for him.