All Eyes On Gambia As ECOWAS Deadline Expires Today

Jammeh has remained adamant insisting that he remains in power until the Supreme Court passes its verdict on his petition challenging Barrow’s victory.

However, the ECOWAS warned that it might have to forcefully remove him (Jammeh) from office, warning that he had until midnight of Wednesday to vacate office.

Notable African leaders including Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari, have also tried to convince him to step down, but Jammeh remained adamant.

Similarly, the UN Security Council ordered Jammeh to hand over power to Barrow without condition or delay and ensure a peaceful transition of power.

Although Jammeh initially accepted defeat in the December 1 presidential elections, he emphatically announced that only Allah can make him end his 22-year rule.

“I am not a coward. My right cannot be intimidated and violated. This is my position. Nobody can deprive me of that victory except the Almighty Allah,” Jammeh said.

According to the electoral commission, as a result of the vote on 1 December: Mr Barrow won 222,708 votes (43.34%) President Jammeh took 208,487 (39.6%) while a third-party candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 89,768 (17.1%).

Few days before the ultimatum issued by ECOWAS to ensure Jammeh’s handover elapsed, the ‘ruthless leader’ as described by the BBC, issued a 90 days state of emergency on the country.

Few hours after the decree, Gambia’s national assembly adopted a resolution to allow Jammeh stay in power for three more months, starting from Wednesday.

As at the time of filing this report, troops from ECOWAS have entered The Gambia without any resistance from the country’s military.

Recall that Gambia’s army chief, Ousman Badjie, has said he would not order his men to fight other African troops if they enter the Gambian territory.

The troops, who have secured the State House, which is the seat of government, entered The Gambia after midnight, hours after last minute talks between Mauritania President Mohamed Abdel Aziz and Jammeh fell through.

Barrow, who is expected to be sworn in today, January 19, is currently in neighbouring Senegal. He was expected to be flown into The Gambia after the operation to remove Jammeh was over.

But emerging news have it that the president-elect said he will be sworn in to office Thursday at the Gambian embassy in Senegal.

Gambia’s Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Environment amongst others have resigned from Jammeh’s government.

It was learnt that thousands of UK and Dutch tourists are being evacuated from the tiny West African state, which is popular with European holidaymakers because of its beaches.

Large numbers of Gambians have fled their homes and soldiers from neighbouring Senegal have begun moving towards the borders.

Citizens of the country who have nowhere to run to are stockpiling food and water as the future seems very uncertain.

The world waits on to see the outcome of the deepening political impasse.