Organisation of Islamic Cooperation calls on Jammeh to step down

REPORTED BY KALAHAN DENG

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – a grouping of 57 Muslim nations – has called on Gambian President Yahya Jammeh to respect the result of the election, which he lost, and step down from power.

Mr Jammeh is a devout Muslim who is often pictured carrying a copy of the Koran and has called for a re-run of the election by a “God-fearing” electoral commission after rejecting the result.

In a statement, OIC Secretary General Yousuf al-Othaimeen said contesting the result would cause instability and threaten national unity.

The OIC said its observers at the 1 December election did not record any irregularities.

The Gambia is due to host the next OIC summit.