As the political impasse in Gambia escalates, the African Union (AU) says it will cease to recognise Yahya Jammeh as The Gambia's legitimate president after last-ditch attempts to persuade the long-time leader to step down failed.

According to Ceoafrica, Jammeh, a former coup leader who has ruled the country since 1994, lost a December 1 election to Adama Barrow by a slim margin, which he initially conceded defeat, but a week later, contested the poll's results, stating irregularities, which has led to refusal to hand over power.  

In a statement issued after a meeting in the Ethiopian capital yesterday, the AU's Peace and Security Council warned of "serious consequences" if Jammeh's actions lead to political disorder and the "loss of innocent lives".

It also called on The Gambia's security forces to "exercise utmost restraint" leading up to the inauguration.

The Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow also called for direct talks with Jammeh to discuss the peaceful handover of power.

A delegation of West African officials including Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Liberian leader, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ghana's President, John Mahama met Jammeh in the capital Banjul yesterday and tried to persuade him on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to make an honourable exit, rather than risk dragging the country into crisis or civil war.

"Only God knows whether Jammeh will accept to step down," Buhari said.

While ECOWAS has voiced its commitment to seeking a peaceful solution to the impasse, it has also hinted at possible military action, if Jammeh stays on beyond the end of his term next week.

"This talk is very, very crucial because it is on the basis of this talk that everybody can now begin to see which option to take," said Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, also part of the delegation.

"Meanwhile Adama Barrow will be travelling to neighbouring Mali where he will be meeting the heads of West African states to explore all options - as Jammeh and his security forces grow increasingly isolated."

Earlier this week, Gambia's dysfunctional Supreme Court delayed hearing Jammeh's petition until Monday, since only one out of five Judges was present.

But experts say it is highly unlikely that four additional judges will be present on Monday, because the Supreme Court has not been operational since Jammeh fired several of the court's judges in mid-2016.

All other eligible Court of Appeal judges left the country after the December election.