Opposition names election candidate after predecessor jailed

September 2, 2016 6:21 AM

Human rights groups accuse Jammeh of systematically repressing dissent, straining relations with Western donor countries.

Al Hadji Yahya Jammeh, President of the Republic of the Gambia, addresses the 69th United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York September 25, 2014.

Gambia's main opposition party named a new leader on Thursday to challenge President Yahya Jammeh in a December election after the jailing of its previous candidate.

The United Democratic Party said it had chosen Adama Barrow, a 51-year-old businessman, to lead its campaign to end Jammeh's 22-year rule of the small West African state.

Nearly 50 protesters were jailed in April and May during rallies calling for electoral reform, including former UDP leader Ousainou Darboe and other senior figures. Darboe and 18 others were sentenced in July to three years in prison.

Two of the party's members have died in custody, prompting calls for an investigation from the United Nations and the United States. The government has denied allegations that one of the victims died from torture.

Gambia's Independent Electoral Commission on Thursday set the election date for Dec. 1. Candidates were requested to submit their applications between Nov. 7-10.