Concession Phone Call: Jammeh Makes It Seem Fun And Easy While He Joins A Pantheon Of Losers In Presidential Elections

Be careful when you hear that the lion has become a new convert and he’s on his way to the Church or the Mosque. Chances are that he wants to mingle with the saints and receive baptism. Or he’s so much loot ---stockpiled in his boot that would sustain him for a while.

But what happens when his kitty runs empty?
Would he turn on the saints, or starve himself to death for the sake of the gospel?

Gordon Offin-Amaniampong looks into what’s become a political tradition or custom.

Historian Paul Corcoran says: “The loser alone can truly congratulate the winner.”

It may sound easy to do but anybody who makes concession call does so with bruised feelings, crushed ambitions and misgivings. The caller may sound graceful in tone but evidently, s/he trembles in the pajamas and gowns.

In January 2008 New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) flagbearer Nana Akufo Addo congratulated then president-elect John Atta Mills. He pledged to work with Professor Mills to heal and unite the divided country. It was the closest election result in Ghana’s political history.

Elsewhere in the United State, on Wednesday morning November 8, 2008 vice president Al Gore conceded the presidential race in a telephone call to George W. Bush then in an hour later he retracted the concession call.

“He called an hour ago to concede. He just called us back to retract that concession,” said Karen Hughes, communications director for George W. Bush.

“It’s unbelievable,” Mr. Hughes added.

“I didn’t do a phone call, I just sent him a telegram,” said George McGovern, the 1972 Democratic nominee. The now 88 year-old-man told The New York Times that he couldn’t bring himself to make the customary call to congratulate the freshly re-elected President Richard M. Nixon.

He recalled: “I was somewhat wiped out by the extent of the landslide.”

And I think from the few examples cited above one can tell that concession phone calls aren’t that easy.

So, whatever descended upon the Gambian president Yahya Jammeh to do what he did last Friday December 2, 2016 must‘ve been a divine intervention. This was contrary to his previous statements that he ruled for one billion years if Allah willed. His demeanor, his tone and his pledge to work with the president-elect seemed too good to be true or sincere.

Nonetheless, Jammeh himself made some allusions that suggested, he meant well and not mischief. Among other things this is what he said during his congratulatory call to his successor Mr. Adama Barrow.

“It’s been transparent, it’s the will of Allah and as a Moslem I accept it in good faith… the Gambian people have chosen you,” said a giggling Jammeh at the State House----the seat of government.

“…I’m calling you to wish you the best. The Gambia people have spoken and I’ve no reason to contest the will of the Almighty Allah.”

“Hallo…Eiish.” Are you hearing me?”

Mr. Jammeh checked his phone to make sure Mr. Barrow was still on the line.

“I wish you all the best. The country will be in your hands in January and you’re assured of my guidance on your transition and I don’t mean to ….but afterwards work with me…

You’ve been elected president of the Gambia. And I wish you all the best. I’ve no err… ill-will and I wish you all the best...”

“Thank you Sir, I’m here with my team,” said Mr. Barrow.

“Convey my congratulations to the entire team.”

“Thank you very much,” said Mr. Barrow.

Still giggling Mr. Jammeh continued: “It’s been transparent, it’s the will of Allah and as a Moslem I accept it in good faith the Gambian people have chosen you. After 22 years I am gratitude to the Almighty Allah for that... Remember I came on the Friday 22^nd of July and I lost on Friday the 2^nd of December, Allah is telling me that my time is up and I hand over graciously with gratitude to the Gambian people and gratitude to the Almighty Allah to you.

“Thank you very much Sir... I was born on Friday the 15^th of February 1965,”said the president-elect.

“So you’re a few months older than me ...all the best. I think that’s why they didn’t call you Old Pa,” he joked amid laughter.

I wish you all the best Mr. Barrow. And you’ve my full support. Let’s make sure we work towards maintaining peace and stability because without peace and stability, let me make it clear you cannot achieve anything anywhere in Africa.”

Is this a real deal?
Perhaps 22 years was good enough for him. Two decades and two years was perhaps more than enough to get his barn filled: He probably filled the pockets of his cronies to the brim and horded as much as possible to sustain himself, his family, friends and loved ones.

But you’ve got to understand, the greed never gets full and never gets satisfied with his loot or booty…until he’s forced away either by the ballot, by the bullet or by any means necessary. Surprisingly he Mr. Jammeh got stretchered off in a ‘Wheel Barrow’.

Mr. Adama Barrow an estate developer (was a security guard at an Argos catalogue store in London according to BBC) from a remote village in the eastern market town of Basse defeated Mr. Yahya Jammeh.

Weeks before the presidential election he’d cut power and internet service to the people an indication that he’d no good intensions of relinquishing power or accepting defeat should that happen. There are several if not many African leaders who’ve perpetuated their stay in office. It was against that backdrop, many feared the former military leader could do the same.

But his announcement on Friday December 2, took the world by surprise and disbelief. And I think this is a real deal. He is not coming back. Mr. Jammeh had had enough of the booty. He’s gotten enough to take care of his third generation...

I also suspect that his action must’ve been influenced or masterminded by the west, particularly the Great Britain. I think the former colonial master must’ve had a hand in Jammeh’s peaceful exit and gracious concession. I can speculate a warning was issued to the authoritarian leader.

“You exit peacefully or we’d come after you and freeze all your booty and loot (assets).

In that case he’d rather leave and keep his loot than let the Brits or the west pulls his tail. Thus even when his kitty runs empty the wild dogs would keep the gate watched. And trust me he’d dare not stage a comeback. Thing is once you take the bait from the imperialists you’re done.

And probably the whole world received the news with some shred of doubt. They weren’t sure whether the controversial former military leader who one time claimed he’d discovered a herbal cure for HIV AIDS---the deadly disease was sincere in his concession call to the president-elect Mr. Barrow.

Atlas Obscura writer Sarah Laskow says: “Nobody likes making concession phone call. She wrote that in the 2102 election, President Obama “unsmiling...and slightly irritated when it was over,” reportedly didn’t even enjoy receiving the call from Mitt Romney then Republican presidential candidate.

Mr. Jammeh took power on Friday July 22 1994. He was elected president in 1996 and got re-elected in 2001, 2006, and 2011. He ruled the tiny Gambia for 22 years and lost it on Friday December 2, 2016. His successor Adam Barrow is from a small village near the eastern market town--- Basse. He was born on Friday February 15 1965.

Was it a sheer coincidence or it was destined to happen?

If you perch too long like a bird you get shot unprepared and unaware, says author Gordon Offin-Amaniampong. Ironically the former military leader got shot not with a bow and arrow but by his main contender Mr. Barrow. Obviously, when the time is up it doesn’t matter any longer where one have his back thrust: It could be the most formidable walls or perhaps surrounded by the most powerful comrades on earth.

Meanwhile, I thought it would be appropriate to meet with the out-going president since I’m in Banjul, the Gambia’s capital city. And I also think I will be able to get a few lingering questions answered.

GOA: Good afternoon Your Excellency. How are you coping with the loss?

Mr. Jammeh: “Thanks GOA. What can I say I think it’s all well and good. I also believe that things happen for either good or bad reason. But I think my loss is Allah’s will. At age 51 what else do I need? Remember I was only 29 when I assumed power.”

GOA: Mr. President, I think you meant when you seized power…Remember that was a military coup.

Mr. Jammeh: “Well you’re right.”
GOA: So tell me, were you somewhat pressured by the west to concede defeat and if true what kind?

Mr. Jammeh: “I don’t think I would like to talk about that now maybe sometime in future. I think Gambians have voted for a change. They’ve chosen a new leader and I’m gratitude to Allah for everything.”

GOA: We’ve seen the likes of Buhari of Nigeria come back and even my own former president Jerry John Rawlings when he handed over power in 1979 to a democratically-elected government but two and half years later he overthrew then Limann-administration. What’s your take on that?

Mr. Jammeh: “Hell no. Look at the shape of my mouth my brother… I’m not coming back. Allah would punish me if I dare. Let me once again use this opportunity to tell my people that I’m not coming back.”

GOA: So what next? What are you going to do when you leave the State House? You’re still a young man.

Mr. Jammeh: “I like farming…but I’ll consider other things too. Insha Allah life will be ok after office.”

GOA: Thanks for your time and Goodluck to you!