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Tag: Adama Barrow

  • Troops storm The Gambia as Barrow takes oath

    Troops storm The Gambia as Barrow takes oath

    The Gambia got a new President yesterday.

    Adama Barrow, who won the December 1, last year election, was inaugurated as president at an event in Dakar, Senegal, witnessed by top United Nations diplomats.

    But the defeated incumbent Yahya Jammeh stayed put at the presidential palace in Banjul, The Gambian capital.

    A few hours to the expiration of his legal term on Wednesday, he failed to utilise the opportunity provided by visiting Mauritanian president for him to stand down.

    West African leaders have so far failed to persuade Jammeh to quit. They have threatened to remove him by force.

    Senegalese troops yesterday entered The Gambia to ensure Adama Barrow assume power as the country’s president, a Senegalese army spokesman said.

    Senegalese army spokesman Col Abdou Ndiaye was quoted by news agencies as saying the country’s troops entered The Gambia yesterday afternoon.

    Nigeria said its “armed reconnaissance air force are over Gambia”, AFP reports.

    Jammeh lost the poll, according to the Gambian electoral commission. But he wants the results annulled, citing errors in the electoral process.

    Taking his oath, Barrow said: “I, Adama Barrow, do swear that I’ll well and truly prosecute the functions of the office of the president of the Republic of The Gambia. That I will preserve and defend the constitution.”

    President of the Gambian Bar Association, Sherrif Tambadou, administered the oath of office on the President.

    Barrow was relocated to Dakar by the ECOWAS Mediation Team led by  President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his inauguration speech, he ordered all members of The Gambia’s armed forces to remain in their barracks.

    “Those found illegally holding arms will be considered rebels,” he warned.

    Western ambassadors to Senegal, the UN envoy for West Africa and top officials from the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) attended the ceremony. Hundreds of Gambian expatriates gathered outside the compound.

    Nigeria’s fighter jets were yesterday conducting “armed reconnaissance air force over Gambia.

    “They have the capacity to strike,” Nigerian Air Force spokesman Ayodele Famuyiwa told the French news agency AFP.

    The Nation’s source who is embedded with the Nigerian forces said the mood of the troops was upbeat.

    The troops are camped at Base Aeriene Amee De L’air Senegal where they are supporting other countries to plan logistics in case of a military action.

    The source said: “Troops deployed by other countries are stationed in different locations, particularly close to the border between Senegal and The Gambia for easy advancement in the event of any call for military action.

    “The morale of the troops is high with an expectation to quell any insurrection in Gambia while our air assets conducting surveillance over Gambia and neighbouring countries,” he said.

    In Banjul, it was eerily quiet. Most streets were deserted; shops, petrol stations and banks were closed. People were mostly staying indoors, uncertain about what might happen.

    In some areas, men were standing on the roadside, arms crossed or looking at their phones. Some told reporters they were waiting for President Jammeh to go and would take to the streets once Barrow was sworn in.

  • UN backs Adama Barrow

    UN backs Adama Barrow

    The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to back Gambia’s new President, Adama Barrow and called for a peaceful transition of power.

    The resolution called on former president Yahya Jammeh “to carry out a peaceful and orderly transition process,’’ and to transfer power to Barrow in accordance with the Gambian constitution.

    The UN resolution called for support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) “in its commitment to ensuring the respect of the will of the people as expressed in the results of the December 1, 2016, elections.’’

    Barrow is the 3rd President of The Gambia.

    He was sworn in as President of The Gambia at a ceremony in the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, today, having won the presidential election of December 1, 2016.

  • Senegalese troops enter Gambia as UN affirms Barrow

    Senegalese troops enter Gambia as UN affirms Barrow

    Senegalese troops on Thursday afternoon reportedly moved across the border into The Gambia following the swearing in of Adama Barrow as the country’s new president.

    The  army spokesman, Colonel Abdoul Ndiaye according to agency reports  said after the UN Security Council is backing the  West African efforts to ensure that the country’s defeated leader Yahya Jammeh hands over power.

    The UN Security Council has affirmed that Barrow is now the President of The Gambia.

    The 15 members of the Security Council voted unanimously in favour of Resolution 2337, 2017 on the situation in The Gambia.

    The Ambassadors of France, UK and Senegal on the Security Council also briefed UN Correspondents, saying that should Barrow request for military assistance to enable him function as President, he shall be legitimately granted.

    The Council further directed ex- President Yahya Jammeh, for the umpteenth time, to peacefully tranfer power to Barrow to avoid the dire consequences of his continued actions.

     

  • Barrow sworn in as Gambian president, calls for unity

    Barrow sworn in as Gambian president, calls for unity

    Mr Adama Barrow was on Thursday sworn in as the third president of The Gambia in an inauguration which took place in the country’s embassy in Senegal.

    President of the Gambian Bar Association, Sherrif Tambadou, conducted the exercise as Barrow took the oath of office.

    Barrow was relocated to Dakar by the ECOWAS Mediation Team led by Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ousted Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, who had earlier conceded defeat in the Dec. 1 presidential election, but later rejected the result of the poll, has yet to vacate office in spite of regional and international intervention.

    Barrow, in his inaugural speech, said that there was no loser in the elections and called for national unity among all citizens.

    He also urged personnel of the Gambian Armed Forces to remain loyal to the Constitution.

    “As Commander-in-Chief, I call on all personnel of the armed forces and other security agencies to be loyal to the Constitution and the Republic.

    “As their Commander-in-Chief, I command all members of the Armed Forces to remain in the barracks and those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my command shall be considered rebels,” he said.

    The president also said that his administration had developed a think-tank to put in place inclusive development, and urged all Gambians to “join hands to effect the change that will bring liberty and prosperity to everyone”.

    He commended the efforts of ECOWAS, African Union, United Nations and the international community for the efforts made to support the will of the Gambian people.

    The inauguration ceremony was attended by ECOWAS Commission President, Marcel de Souza, ECOWAS Parliament President, Moustapha Cisse Lo and ECOWAS Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs Alima Ahmed.

    The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UN Office for West Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, was also present at the ceremony.

    Members of the diplomatic community were also represented. (NAN)

     

  • Gambia: Botswana dumps Jammeh as President

    Gambia: Botswana dumps Jammeh as President

    The Government of Botswana has declared that it no longer recognises Yahya Jammeh as President of the Gambia as his tenure expires.

    This is contained in a press statement issued on Thursday, following the refusal of Jammeh to hand over power to the President-elect Adama Barrow, in accordance with the expressed will of the Gambian people in the December 1, 2016, Presidential election.

    This decision which takes effect immediately makes Botswana the first African country to withdraw its supports and identification of Jammeh as Gambian president.

    Botswana’s announcement on Thursday through its social media platforms (Twitter & Facebook) is in consistency with its position as articulated through the Press Release of December 16, 2016.

     

    In the statement, Botswana’s government said: “Mr Jammeh’s decision not to respect the will of the Gambian people undermines the ongoing efforts to consolidate democracy and good governance in The Gambia and Africa as a whole. This is also in direct contravention of the spirit and aspirations of the African Union Constitutive Act.

    “The Government of Botswana, therefore, continues to appeal to the international community to do all within its power to exert pressure on Mr Jammeh to hand over power in order to ensure a smooth transition.”

    Although, Barrow’s inauguration is due to hold in a ceremony in The Gambia today, but Mr Jammeh has imposed a state of emergency and parliament has controversially extended his term by 90 days.

    Thus, Barrow, who insisted on his swearing in has said the ceremony will hold at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

     


    Statement on Facebook Reads:

    Botswana Statement on Jammeh

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  • Gambia: Military intervention inevitable as Jammeh stays put

    Gambia: Military intervention inevitable as Jammeh stays put

    As all attempts to convince President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia to step aside on the expiration of his tenure fails, the prospect of military intervention by regional forces seem inevitable.

    Recall that Jammeh lost the presidential election to the candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Adama Barrow on December 1st, 2016 and initially conceded defeat before refusing to step down.

    Jammeh and Barrow

    Jammeh had ruled the country for more than two decades, but said if God willed it, his presidency could go on for “a billion years“.

    He has refused to leave office despite international pressure and a threat by leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to enforce his election defeat.

    Earlier this week, he disclosed the telephone conversation he had with the Chairperson of the ECOWAS, and Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, public. See video below:

    On Wednesday, a military commander with West Africa’s regional bloc, Seydou Maiga Mboro said its forces will “take action” at midnight unless a solution is found to Gambia’s political crisis before then. According to him, all the troops are already in place awaiting the deadline for President Yahya Jammeh to step down.

    Senegalese and Nigerian troops have arrived the borders of the Gambia awaiting instructions to oust Jammeh out of office if he refuses to step down after clinging to power for over 22 years despite losing to Adama Barrow.

    However, Barrow on his social media account invited everyone to his inauguration which according to him will hold at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

     

    Before running for the Presidency of his country, Barrow lived in the United Kingdom (UK) for several years, where he reportedly worked as a security guard at the Argos catalogue store in north London, while studying for his real estate qualifications.

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  • Gambia’s Barrow to take oath in Senegal

    Gambia’s Barrow to take oath in Senegal

    The man who won The Gambia’s disputed election said 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, the BBC reports.

    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 Gambian embassy in Dakar.

    At least 26,000 Gambians, fearful that violence could erupt, have sought refuge in Senegal.

    Meanwhile, thousands of United Kingdom and Dutch tourists continue to be evacuated from the tiny West African state.

     

     

  • For Gambia, it’s D-Day

    For Gambia, it’s D-Day

    SIR: Global civil society alliance – CIVICUS – urges President Yahya Jammeh to respect constitutional norms and the will of the Gambian people. For the last 21 years, his regime has used violence to shut down dissent. The current crackdown against the media and civil society is indicative of his regime’s past tactics.

    On January 1, three radio stations – Taranga FM, Hill Top Radio and Afri Radio were ordered to stop broadcasting by the National Intelligence Agency. On January 9, security agents stormed Paradise FM and called on the station to cease broadcasting to the public. The Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure subsequently sent a letter to all four radio stations informing them that their licenses have been revoked, without providing any justification.

    Since December 31, 2016, intelligence agents have arrested and detained citizens wearing t-shirts bearing the logo of the movement – #GambiaHasDecided. The movement is leading calls on President Yahya Jammeh to respect the results of the December 1, 2016 elections and step down. The targeting of the leaders of the movement and those perceived by the authorities to be associated with it has forced several Gambians to flee after receiving credible threats to their lives.

    The Gambia has been in a state of uncertainty and continues to experience heightened tensions since President Yahya Jammeh rejected the results of the December elections. At first President Jammeh conceded defeat and congratulated the political opposition, later denouncing the results, announcing he would challenge them in court. In line with the Gambian constitution, the newly elected president is due to be inaugurated today, January 19. The clampdown on independent media and members of the political opposition is aimed at preventing citizens from accessing information and intimidating those calling for him to honour the results and peacefully hand over power.

    The West African regional bloc – the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – has called on President Jammeh to respect the outcome of the December elections and to step down today. ECOWAS leaders have also held meetings with President Jammeh to persuade him to do the right thing.

    CIVICUS calls on President Jammeh to cooperate fully with the leaders of the ECOWAS to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to avoid political instability and enhance Gambia’s democratic transition.

     

    • Comrade Akingbola Temidayo,

    Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Ondo-State Chapter.

  • Gambia: Regional bloc prepares for intervention at midnight

    Gambia: Regional bloc prepares for intervention at midnight

    A military commander with West Africa’s regional bloc says its forces will “take action” at midnight unless a solution is found to Gambia’s political crisis before then.

    The Associated Press quoted Seydou Maiga Mboro speaking on Senegalese radio station RFM, saying that “all the troops are already in place” awaiting the deadline for President Yahya Jammeh to step down.

    Witnesses in Senegal have reported seeing troops making their way toward Gambia’s borders.

     Jammeh has refused to cede power after 22 years at the helm despite losing the Dec. 1 election to Adama Barrow.

    The president-elect has vowed to go ahead with his inauguration anyway on Thursday, and ECOWAS, the regional bloc, has vowed to use military force if necessary to remove him.

    Jammeh seized power of Gambia in a 1994 coup

  • Gambia President-elect loses son after dog bite

    Gambia President-elect loses son after dog bite

    The Gambia’s President-elect, Adama Barrow has lost his son after being bitten by a dog.

    According to the BBC, eight-year-old Habibou Barrow was reported to have died on the way to the hospital on Sunday in Manjai near the Gambian capital Banjul.

    Mr Barrow missed his son’s funeral as he was advised to remain in neighbouring Senegal for his own safety.

    Mr Barrow won the presidential election last year but outgoing President Yahya Jammeh has refused to accept the result after initially conceding defeat and congratulating Mr Barrow.