Regional troops show support in Gambia

Honor new president of Senegal; Jammeh shows no sign of stepping down

DAKAR, Senegal — A West African regional force charged into neighboring Gambia late Thursday to support the country’s newly inaugurated president, while longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh showed no sign of stepping down.

The troops moved in shortly after Adama Barrow was inaugurated at Gambia’s embassy in neighboring Senegal, after a final effort at diplomatic talks with Mr. Jammeh failed to secure his departure. His mandate expired at midnight.

Senegalese military spokesman Col. Abdoul Ndiaye confirmed to the Associated Press that the first regional troops had crossed into Gambia and were on their way to the capital, Banjul. AP journalists saw at least 20 military vehicles gathered at the border town of Karang.

State television broadcast news that the presidents of Liberia, Mauritania and Guinea would arrive today to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

In his inaugural speech, which took place under heavy security, Mr. Barrow called on Mr. Jammeh to respect the will of the people and step aside. The new president also called on Gambia’s armed forces to remain in their barracks as the regional military intervention got underway.

Shortly after the inauguration, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution expressing “full support” to Mr. Barrow, calling on Mr. Jammeh to step down and condemning his attempts to usurp power. The resolution also backed the regional efforts to get Mr. Jammeh to respect the election results.

Outside Gambia’s embassy in Dakar, Baal Jaabang held up a freshly framed portrait of Mr. Barrow, already printed with the words: “His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of Gambia.”

He arrived at the embassy to cheers of joy from hundreds of Gambians who had gathered, with national flags, for a glimpse of the new president. Gambia, a tiny country known for its large number of residents fleeing to Europe and a coastline that draws many thousands of British sunbathers, has been in a political crisis for weeks.

Mr. Barrow was declared the winner of the Dec. 1 election and at first was congratulated by Mr. Jammeh in a phone call aired on state television. But once it was suggested that Mr. Jammeh could face criminal charges linked to human rights abuses during his long rule, he backtracked and challenged the vote in court, alleging irregularities.

In recent days, Mr. Jammeh has tried to stay in power by declaring a state of emergency, while lawmakers voted to extend his mandate by three months.

Mr. Jammeh on Thursday remained at his official residence and intended to stay there, said an official.