By An Editor
Jammeh denied Ecowas chairmanship for the second time
Following his boycott of Burkina meeting
Gambian president, Yahya Jammeh, has been denied for the second time, his chance to head the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This latest developpment followed President Jammeh's decision to boycott the meeting of heads of state of Ecowas in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso last Friday, because he expected to get a humiliating denial of his chance to be chairman of Ecowas for the second time.
The first denial came in early 2005, few weeks after his government murdered Journalist Deyda Hydara. President Jammeh was embarrassed by that decision of the Ecowas heads of state because, earlier on, it was agreed that after the tenure of Ghanaian President John Kuffuor, the Gambia should have taken it. Because of the murder of the journalist, the honour was accorded Nigeriene President Mamadou Thandia. After his two-year tenure, it should still have gone to President Jammeh, but because of the increased human rights violations, the regional leaders vow not to ever give it to Gambia under Jammeh.
On last Friday's meeting, the regional heads of state decided to deny the opportunity to President Jammeh, who had in fact boycott the meeting following hinst that he was going to be humiliated, for the second time and gave it to President Blaisse Campoare of Burkina Faso.