Thousands of Britons to be flown out of The Gambia
State of emergency declared after President Yahya Jammeh refuses to stand aside after losing election
Thousands of UK holidaymakers are to be flown home from The Gambia after the UK Foreign Office advised against "all but essential travel" to the west African country.
Several major travel agents, including Thomas Cook, are laying on additional flights for tourists currently in the country. According to The Independent, "it is likely that around 5,000 British people are on holiday there right now".
The Foreign Office changed its official advice for Britons going to The Gambia last night, citing the "deteriorating political situation" and "potential military intervention" after President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency two days before he was due to leave office.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite losing the presidential elections on 1 December, Jammeh has refused to step aside for president-elect Adama Barrow, saying there was an "unprecedented and extraordinary amount of foreign interference" in the original vote.
"The electoral commission admitted some errors, although it insists this did not affect the final outcome", the BBC says.
Barrow is in neighbouring Senegal due to fears for his safety, causing him to miss the funeral of his eight-year-old son this week, who died after being mauled by a dog.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Fall into the groove at these delightful record stores
The Week Recommends Each one strikes its own chord
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How likely are you to get audited by the IRS?
The Explainer The odds are greater for some than others
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 22, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published