Gambia awaits arrival of new president after former leader’s exile
Gambia was yesterday preparing for the arrival of the country’s new leader and an era of democracy, hours after its authoritarian ruler of 22 years flew into exile.
Even as new President Adama Barrow remained in neighbouring Senegal awaiting a return after a political crisis sparked by his December election win, former leader Yahya Jammeh appeared to be guaranteed the right to come home.
A joint declaration by the United Nations African Union and West African regional bloc ECOWAS, issued shortly after Jammeh left, said the bodies would work with Barrow’s government to make sure Jammeh, his family and his close associates are not the target of punishment.
But a top Barrow adviser, Mai Ahmad Fatty, said the declaration did not have the new leader’s approval. He said: “I was very shocked to learn from Facebook that the document we had rejected was already posted at the websites of both ECOWAS and the AU.
“Gambia will neither respect nor honour what was contained in that joint declaration. We don’t consider it legally binding on us.”
The unpredictable Jammeh, known for startling declarations such as his claim that bananas and herbal rubs could cure AIDS, flew off late on Saturday with a wave as supporters and soldiers wept.
He was heading toward Equatorial Guinea, which is not a state party to the International Criminal Court.
Jammeh’s about-face on his election loss to Barrow – when he at first conceded and then challenged the vote – appeared to be the final straw for the international community, after declarations about the creation of an Islamic republic and leaving the Commonwealth. Barrow was sworn in on Thursday at Gambia’s embassy in Senegal for his safety, hours after Jammeh’s mandate expired at midnight. Meanwhile, Jammeh was abandoned by his defence chief and many Cabinet members.
A regional military force that had been poised to oust Jammeh, if last-minute diplomatic efforts failed, entered Gambia shortly after his departure and was securing the capital, Banjul, ahead of Barrow’s arrival.
“President Barrow would like to leave (Senegal) as soon as possible. One can’t leave the country open,” Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of the regional bloc, said.
But, he added, part of Gambia’s security forces needed to be “immobilised”. He also confirmed that Jammeh had mercenaries by his side during the standoff.