Adama Barrow’s photo and inauguration announcement on Gambia government website

The photo of President-elect, Adama Barrow has replaced that of incumbent President Yahya Jammeh on the Gambia government website announcing January 19, 2017 as the inauguration date. The website until some minutes ago this evening contained information about Jammeh.

The change was done referring to Barrow as President, even before he is inaugurated, just as troops from the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) were massing towards the Gambia border with Senegal. There are troops from Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria on the mission.

The ECOWAS is seeking authorization from the United Nations to intervene in the Gambia and to remove Jammeh from power to allow for the inauguration of President-elect, Adama Barrow who is currently in the Senegalese capital, Dakar and has insisted he will be sworn-in tomorrow January 19, 2017.

Meahwhile, last minute negotiations are ongoing. Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is reported in the country to convince Jammhe to step down.

The Gambia ran into political crisis because Jammeh who lost a December 1, 2016 elections, accepted the results but later changed his mind, rejected the results and called for fresh elections.

ECOWAS Heads of State mediators have been dialoguing with Jammeh asking him to step down and hand over peacefully, but he has refused, insisting he wants his petition challenging the results to be heard by the Supreme Court, which is only due to sit in May. Jammeh, managed to get the country’s National Assembly to pass resolutions extending its own term, impose a State of Emergency and extend Jammeh’s term for 90 days Tuesday January 17, 2017.

Military commanders have been quoted elsewhere saying they are waiting till midnight to enter The Gambia if Jammeh continues to be adamant.

Some of his ministers have resigned and fled the country.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi