Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Gambian Opposition Leader Denounces Coup Celebration as Illegal Peter Clottey 21 July 2010 The leader of Gambiaâs main opposition United Democratic Party (UPD) has described as illegal the celebration of the coup dâétat that brought President Yahya Jammeh to power 16 years ago Thursday. Ousainou Darboe, who is also a human rights attorney, condemned the planned celebration saying it sends the wrong signal to the countryâs security forces that there is a virtue in taking up arms to overthrow a constitutionally-elected president. The Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh âOur partyâs position is that, today, (Mr.) Jammeh will again be celebrating an illegality. He will be celebrating a rape on the Constitution of The Gambia. And, he will be sending a very wrong signal to other members of the security forces that there is virtue in staging coup dâétats. And, I do not think that is right,â he said. Mr. Jammeh seized power in a bloodless coup in 1994, but was later elected three times. He is also set to run for a fourth term in next yearâs general election. Gambiaâs local media quoted President Jammeh recently as saying that âwhether you like it or not, no coup will end my government, no elections can end my government. By God's grace, I will rule this country as long as I wish and choose someone to replace me.â Supporters of the Gambian leader have reportedly arrived in the capital, Banjul, to participate in the coup dâétat celebration. But, critics say these âsupportersâ were either forced against their will or bribed to be part of the celebration, an accusation the government denies. Opposition leader Darboe described the celebration as an insult to law abiding citizens and called on Gambians to boycott Mr. Jammehâs coup dâétat celebrations. âWe are in a democratic dispensation (and) we should be celebrating everything that is democratic, but we should not be celebrating undemocratic events. Our party has condemned it in the past and, today, again we condemn it and we will continue to condemn it as long as he continues to celebrate it,â Darboe said. In a televised address last year, President Jammeh said he will supervise the killing of anyone who aims to destabilize the country. He also warned human rights groups to stop interfering in The Gambiaâs internal politics, warning citizens not to cooperate with them. Mr. Jammeh recently expelled two U.N. officials without any explanation. The opposition claims the presidentâs death threat is a calculated ploy to silence any dissent. .