Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, Accuses ECOWAS of Declaring War.

Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh has accused the West African regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of declaring war, after it said it was putting forces on alert in case he refused to step down at the end of his mandate this month, Reuters reported on Sunday.

Jammeh, who has vowed to stay in power despite losing a December 1 election to rival Adama Barrow, also promised to defend Gambia against any outside aggression, in a New Year’s speech broadcast on state TV.

The veteran leader initially conceded defeat in the vote, then changed his mind days later – raising fears that regional powers might have to intervene to oust him. His mandate runs out on January 19.

Marcel de Souza, President of ECOWAS Commission, said last week it had put standby forces on alert.

In his speech, Jammeh decried “the resolution of ECOWAS on the current situation to implement the results of December 1, 2016 presidential election by whatever means possible,” apparently acknowledging again that the poll did not go in his favour.