[Video and Transcript] Jammeh's concession to Adama Barrow

Gambia

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh’s concession was widely reported on Friday after the electoral commission declared his main opponent Adama Barrow winner of the December 1 polls.

The electoral chief had stated on Friday morning that Jammeh was recording a concession speech. The seven minute piece contains two parts, in the first which lasts about 4 minutes, Jammeh is seen directly addressing Gambians on their decision.

He touts the voting process as the most transparent and rig proof system in the world. He also speaks about what next for him and that he was grateful to God for the time he had been leading the country.

The next three minutes, Jammeh is seen in a phone call with the president-elect Adama Barrow. Jammeh congratulated Barrow and stated that he was ready to help Barrow in anyway possible to have a smooth transition and even after he officially takes power in January 2017.

A full transcript of the phone exchange between Jammeh and Barrow

Jammeh: “Hello your excellency President-Elect Mr. Barrow. I am fine. I am calling you to wish you all the best. The Gambian people have spoken and I have no reason to contest the will of the mighty Allah.

I wish you all the best, the country will be in your hands in January and you are assured of my guidance on your transition and when selecting a government but you have to work with me as I plan to go to Kanilai and hand over the State House to you.

You are the elected president of the Gambia and I wish you all the best. I have no ill will and I wish you all the best. (APPLAUSE)”

Barrow: “The Gambia is more important than any one of us.”

Jammeh: “Thank you.”

Barrow: “And also we thank you for all the hard work for 22 years.”

Jammeh: “Thank you.”

Barrow: “We will continue from where you stopped.”

Jammeh: “Thank you.”

Barrow: “And inshallah (God willing) we will seek any advice in any area we will always consult you.”

Jammeh: “Thank you though I will be a farmer in Kanilai.”

Barrow: “I am here with my team.”

Jammeh: “Convey my congratulations to all your team. This is transparent, this is the will of Allah and as a Muslim I accept it in good faith. The Gambian people have chosen you. After 22 years I am grateful to the almighty Allah for that.

And remember I came on a Friday the 22nd of July and I lost on Friday the 2nd of December. It’s not the 22nd but the 2nd 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.”

Barrow: “Thank you very much. I think (inaudible) in the Gambia.”

Jammeh: “Yes.”

Barrow: “I was born on a Friday.”

Jammeh: “What date?”

Barrow: “February 1965.”

Jammeh: “1965.”

Barrow: “1965 yes.”

Jammeh: “So you were born before independence?”

Barrow: “Yes.”

Jammeh: “So you are a few months older than me. All the best. Well I think that is why they didn’t call you ‘Old Pa’ (LAUGHS) I wish you all the best Mr. Barrow. Ok?”

Barrow: “Thank you.”

Jammeh: “And you have my full support let us make sure you work towards peace and… “

Barrow: “Peace and stability, yes.”

Jammeh: “Because without peace and stability let me make it clear you cannot achieve anything anywhere in Africa. I wish you all the best.”

Barrow: “We are looking forward to having a meeting with you.”

Jammeh: “Yes we will work on.”

Barrow: “That will give us the opportunity.”

Jammeh: “Yes we will meet next week.”

Barrow: “Next week?”

Jammeh: “It depends on your calendar you are the president elect now and I am the outgoing president so you give us time. From Tuesday, any day I’ll be free.”