As preparations towards the swearing in of Adama Barrow as the president of The Gambia later today continue, it has emerged that the incumbent Yahya Jammeh’s status will change to that of rebel commander immediately Barrow is sworn in.
Barrow is expected to be sworn in as president at the Gambian embassy in neighbouring Senegal, in a ceremony that will commence at 4pm.
The decision to conduct the ceremony in Senegal followed the failure of a last-ditch effort by President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania to convince Jammeh to step down voluntarily.
A message, posted on Adama Barrow’s social media accounts, invited the general public to attend the ceremony.
West African military forces are on standby to enforce a transfer of power in The Gambia immediately after Barrow’s inauguration.
Senegalese troops remain stationed at the Gambian border, despite the deadline for Jammeh to stand down passing at midnight.
The threat of military action is supported by other states in the region, with Nigeria and Ghana contributing troops to support the effort.
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.
Jammeh was earlier reported to have accepted the last-minute deal brokered by Aziz, who flew into Banjul late yesterday.
The deal included him going into exile in Mauritania.
He was reported to have later changed his mind and said he would only go into exile if judges at the Supreme Court rule against his petition in May.
Aziz left Banjul late in the night for Senegal, where he held talks with President Mack Sall.
Jammeh to Become Rebel Commander …. As Barrow Moves Inauguration Ceremony to Senegal
ByEditor
Jan 19, 2017