Jammeh dares Buhari and other ECOWAS leaders again, shuts down 4th radio station
- Gambia President Yahya Jammeh has allegedly shut down another radio station in an attempt to gag the country's press following his refusal to hand over power when his term expires this month
- Paradise FM is the fourth radio station to be shut since last week clampdown on the press
- The station was said to have interviewed a spokesman of a coalition backing president-elect Adama Barrow
As Buhari meet ECOWAS leaders, Jammeh shuts down 4th radio station
Reports coming in from Gambia indicate that President Yahya Jammeh is still resolute in his determination to hold on to power as the embattled leader has shut down another radio station in the country, NAN reports.
This is against the backdrop of the fact that West African leaders have started arriving in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital ahead of a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the issue of Gambia’s transition of power.
READ ALSO: Just in: ECOWAS leaders arrive Aso Rock, meet Buhari over Gambia (Videos)
According to one of the presenters, Jammeh has shut down Paradise FM, the fourth radio station to be shut since last week.
As Buhari meet ECOWAS leaders In Abuja, Jammeh shuts down 4th radio station
Paradise FM was closed on orders allegedly given by the communication and information ministry, presenter Andrew Gibba said.
The closure followed those of Teranga FM, Hilltop FM and Afri Radio.
It was alleged that the closure was as a result of an interview conducted by the radio station.
The station was said to have interviewed a spokesman of a coalition backing president-elect Adama Barrow, to whom President Yahya Jammeh has refused to relinquish power.
READ ALSO: Gambia Army chief declares support of armed forces for Jammeh
Jammeh, who has since maintained that he will not step down when his term ends on January 19, has become a source of worry to many African leaders who are currently in Nigeria’s capital to find a way to make him leave power at all cost.
Gambia Army chief Ousman Badjie says the country's Armed Forces are behind the president.
In the event that Mr Jammeh does not hand over power to President-elect Adama Barrow on January 19, ECOWAS says its troops in neighbouring Senegal are ready to intervene in Gambia's political situation.
However, Gambia's army chief Ousman Badjie has declared his loyalty to President Yahya Jammeh,prompting many observers to conclude that war is imminent in the country.
It however remained to be seen what the ECOWAS leaders will decide after the Abuja meeting.
The Gambian authorities have however not given an explanation for any of the closures.