Thursday, 19 January 2017
Gambia crisis: Barrow inauguration in Senegal as Jammeh stays put
The man who won The Gambia's disputed election says he will be sworn in as president at the country's embassy in neighbouring Senegal.
The message, posted on Adama Barrow's social media accounts, invited the general public to attend the ceremony.
Last-ditch efforts by regional leaders to convince Yahya Jammeh to step down as president failed overnight.
He lost elections last month, but wants the results annulled citing errors in the electoral process.
West African military forces are ready to enforce a transfer of power in The Gambia, a popular beach destination among European holidaymakers.
Senegalese troops remain stationed at the Gambian border, despite the deadline for Mr Jammeh to stand down passing at midnight.
The threat of military action is supported by Nigeria and other states in the region.
Mr Barrow has been in Senegal since Sunday following an invitation to attend a summit of African leaders who back his victory.
The president-elect tweeted and posted on Facebook that his inauguration would take place at 16:00 GMT at the embassy in the capital, Dakar.
At least 26,000 Gambians, fearful that violence could erupt, have sought refuge in Senegal.
Meanwhile, thousands of UK and Dutch tourists continue to be evacuated from the tiny West African state.
He lost elections last month, but wants the results annulled citing errors in the electoral process.
West African military forces are ready to enforce a transfer of power in The Gambia, a popular beach destination among European holidaymakers.
Senegalese troops remain stationed at the Gambian border, despite the deadline for Mr Jammeh to stand down passing at midnight.
The threat of military action is supported by Nigeria and other states in the region.
Mr Barrow has been in Senegal since Sunday following an invitation to attend a summit of African leaders who back his victory.
The president-elect tweeted and posted on Facebook that his inauguration would take place at 16:00 GMT at the embassy in the capital, Dakar.
At least 26,000 Gambians, fearful that violence could erupt, have sought refuge in Senegal.
Meanwhile, thousands of UK and Dutch tourists continue to be evacuated from the tiny West African state.
Gambian Army abandons Jammeh
By News Express on 19/01/2017
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Gambia’s army chief Ousman Badjie.
Gambia’s army chief Ousman Badjie said he would not order his men to fight other African troops if they enter Gambian territory.
He spoke Wednesday as Senegalese and other troops massed on his nation’s borders.
The Senegalese troops backed by Nigerian Air Force and other African troops were on standby to move into The Gambia as President Yahya Jammeh approached a midnight deadline to stand down or face military action after refusing to leave at the end of his term.
“We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute,” Chief of Defence Staff Ousman Badjie said, after eating dinner in a tourist district close to the capital, Banjul, eyewitnesses told AFP.
“I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men,” he added, stopping to pose for selfies with admirers while dressed in fatigues, beret and green t-shirt, according to those present.
We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute…I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men.
“If they (Senegalese) come in, we are here like this,” Badjie said, making a hands-up to surrender gesture.
Badjie is no stranger to controversy after appearing to declare support for president-elect Adama Barrow and then switching back to Jammeh.
He was recently barred from visiting Gambian peacekeepers in Darfur due to the sensitivity of The Gambia’s ongoing political crisis, which has seen Jammeh repeatedly refuse to step down despite losing a December 1 election to opponent Barrow.
“Our troops are on alert… The ultimatum takes effect at midnight,” when Jammeh’s mandate is due to expire, Senegal army spokesman Colonel Abdou Ndiaye told AFP ahead of the deadline.
•Source: AFP and African news via NAN
Toyin Falola
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