APA Banjul (The Gambia) The Gambian leader, President Yahya Jammeh, who recently chastised those African leaders that endorsed the coup d'etat in Guinea, on Monday came under sharp criticisms from the leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party, Ousainou Darboe, who accused him of paying lip service to democratic ideals.

Darboe made the statement in response to a press release issued by President Jammeh informing people of the opening of a competition for the composition of a song suitable for adoption as the anthem of the July 22 military takeover that brought him to power.

The release states that the winning entry will receive one million dalasis (US$40,000).

Darboe remarked, "it is ironical that a government that calls itself a constitutional government could extol a military takeover to the extent of asking people to write an anthem to extol it. This press release shows that Yahya Jammeh was hypocritical in condemning the military takeover in Guinea. He has no moral standing to condemn the coup d'etat in Guinea, because what he is doing is condoning and encouraging a coup d'etat."

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