6 reasons why Barack Obama should “do something” about Yahya Jammeh before Donald Trump is Sworn in as US President

For those of you who do not know who Yahya Jammeh is, you might wonder why you have never heard about him in the first place after you google him.

Funnily enough, daily show host and John Stewart replacement; Trevor Noah might be responsible for increasing Jammeh’s fame in America when he likened him to Donald Trump, a sketch that gained massive media attention all over the world.

Noah suggested that Trump would be more fit to be an African dictator than an American president.

Yahya Jammeh, is the President of the Republic of the Gambia for 22 years who took office after a bloodless military coup in 1994 and has been a ruthless dictator ever since. He was finally voted out of office in the 1^st Dec 2016, in elections deemed to be free and fair by all observers; if not partially tilted in his favor, as access to state television and other resources were only enjoyed by him and his party.

Jammeh lost the elections and on Friday Dec 2^nd conceded defeat in a fashion that made the whole world proud. A week later Jammeh decided to renounce his concession and called for fresh elections citing an admitted error by the independent electoral commission during the tallying of the votes that notwithstanding, made no difference to the fact that he lost the election.

The country teetering on the brink of turmoil, with the army’s loyalty split between the President elect Adama Barrow and Jammeh, neighboring West African heads of state of Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, flew down to Gambia to attempt to mediate between both sides and ask Jammeh to step down. They left Banjul without reaching any conclusive agreement.

But alas, as the whole world is watching this unfolding drama, a story not new under the sun, people tired of a tyrant wanting change, but soon left feeling that violence is the only way, a spiral into civil war ensues, lots of lives lost.

Here are six reasons why Barack Obama should put serious pressure on Jammeh to step down peacefully.

#1. A Chance to lead an international coalition

Obama will have a last chance to cement America’s global leadership position in the wake of a Trump presidency by leading or providing tactical support to an international coalition, be it with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) through the UN or joint exercises with other willing nations such as the UK and Senegal. It has been rumored that Spain and Nigeria are potentially interested in assisting with such an operation. We are hoping that mere formation of such an international coalition will serve as a deterrent and convince Jammeh that he must handover in peace and any form of military resistance is futile.

#2. Chance to export democracy

The Gambia has been in a dictatorship for more than two decades. However, this fact, Gambia’s history and geopolitics makes it ready to accept democracy for a long time to come. Gambians now know what can happen when there is no separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, they know what it means to live in a country with a sham justice system and how that affects them, they know very well, how important, freedom of expression is in a society.

They had to go without all of these for 2 decades, while they are surrounded on three borders by arguably one of the most democratic countries in not only Africa, but the world, that is Senegal.

Obama making sure that there is a “peaceful” transition to President elect Barrow will be spreading democracy in the African continent at a very important time for African and U.S. interests. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Africa as a continent is slowly but surely embracing democracy. The last decade saw the fall of the many stereotypical African “Strongman” head of state such as Ghadaffi of Libya.

However, If Jammeh somehow manages to defy the will of the people and remain in power, he will be setting a powerful precedent, several elections are due on the continent reminding other heads of state that in Africa, there is such a thing as absolute power for those ready to take the risk to defy their people and the international community at large.

At a time of increasing Russian influence in the world, the US cannot be seen to be too weak to uphold democracy around the world to avoid another ideological polarization of the world.

#3. Appeal to Black Americans/international community

Mr. Obama, probably knows this but as small as the Gambia is, it plays an important role in U.S. heritage as the land of Kunta Kinte. The main character in “Roots” a film indelibly stamped on the black consciousness in the USA.

Jammeh was on a path of being increasingly isolated by the international community for rampant human rights abuses. Helping to ensure a peaceful transition of power, will boost Obama’s statesmanship. The whole world wants Jammeh to step down and Mr. Obama is the one to get the job done.

#4. Whats in it for the USA?

There may be money to be made. A report by the Boston Consulting Group shows that West Africa will rival Saudi Arabia as one of the largest oil producing regions in the world.

As much as the world is trying to get away from reliance on fossil fuels. Obama would do well if he can “cosy up” to some West African countries, a relationship which may to lead future cooperation, that of course, serves the interest of all parties involved and not necessarily exploitative.

#5. This is not Benghazi, or Iraq

It is fair to say a significant part of the American population is weary of foreign military intervention. Hopefully it will not have to come to that and that soft but firm power will do. But there is no telling with Jammeh. Should he remain defiant only a military intervention will remove him.

It is often argued that intervention ends up creating more trouble than its worth. Removing dictators like Saddam Hussein and Ghaddfi, has left behind a power vacuum and the struggle for power between factions, leaving the conflict prolonged, costing US tax payers more money and most importantly, more civilian lives lost. However, the Gambian problem is quite different from Libya or Iraq in the following respects;

1. This dictator was already voted out, no other faction or group is vying for power apart from the President elect, Adama Barrow and the coalition parties.
2. Gambian civilians are not armed.
3. Gambia has a very minimal history of civil upheaval and bloodshed
4. Jammeh’s militant followers are a small minority.
5. There is strong justification to safeguard American and Gambian lives.
6. Jammeh is a cat cornered, for it is likely he faces prosecution for crimes committed during his rule. This is why he is dangerous, it is not because he wants to kill Gambians, my fear is that he feels he “has to” to save himself.
7. You have a reliable and trusted ally in Senegal, who is equally invested in a transition of power. Senegal practically surrounds the Gambia, and is sure to be affected by any turmoil in the Gambia.

So Mr. Obama, Jammeh is required by the Constitution of the Gambia to handover power on January the 19^th of January which also happens to be your last day as US president. (call it fate)

We have little hope that your successor Donald Trump will care about what is happening in Gambia given his “America first” which means “money first” philosophy. He just may be the first US president to totally ignore Africa as far as we can see.

As the first black American President, getting rid of the African dictator in the land of Kunta Kinteh may be just be the best way to bow out.

“A force can only be stopped by a greater opposing force”