Jammeh and business partner and confidante Amadou Samba |
According to a source in Banjul, Jammeh may postpone his campaign tour from "Monday...to Thursday due to ailing health complications and amid fear of rebel incursion."
Jammeh's confidence was shaken last Wednesday by the size of the crowd that accompanied Mr. Adama Barrow, Leader of the 7-party Coalition to the offices of the Independent Electoral Commission to deposit his nomination papers.
The massive demonstration of support and popularity of the opposition that was on display led Jammeh to decide to go on tour. This decision is significant because he has said in the past that he will not campaign for reelection because he enjoys a universal support of Gambian voters. The December 1st presidential will prove to be his most challenging re-election campaign ever.
The United Nations, European Union, Human Rights Watch and similar agencies and organizations have warned Jammeh that it is imperative that the elections are free, fair and credible. Otherwise, sanctions will be applied against his regime.
Sporadic arrests of opposition supporters are already being reported which is adding to the tension that is already in the air as the elections draw near. Meanwhile, we will continue to monitor events and developments in Banjul to see if their is any change in Jammeh's plan to tour the country on Monday as initially planned. .