Gambia’s President-elect, Adama Barrow will be sworn into office at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
Barrow took to his twitter handle to make the announcement to his followers and the rest of the world who have keenly followed developments in Gambia following the refusal of President Yahya Jammeh to hand over power, despite losing the election in December 2016.
“I would like to inform you that the Inauguration Ceremony is going to take place at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal,” he announced.
I would like to inform you that the Inauguration Ceremony is going to take place at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. #Gambia pic.twitter.com/ofxlIpJChl
A journalist with the Standard Newspaper in Gambia, Sekous Kale earlier told Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show that“pursuant to the Gambia’s constitution, Adama’s inauguration cannot be put to a halt.”
“Adama will be inaugurated but what we don’t know is whether Adama will be inaugurated at the independence stadium as planned,” he added.
Jammeh’s tenure which expired at midnight on Wednesday was earlier extended by 90 days by Gambia’s Parliament.
A state of emergency has also been declared in the country.
President-elect Adama Barrow has been living in Senegal for the past few days following a request by West African leaders after a summit in Mali.
Several talks between Jammeh, ECOWAS and AU leaders in a bid to have him step down failed.
ECOWAS troops from Nigeria, Ghana and neigbouring countries have however been deployed to Gambia to ensure that rule of law prevails in that country.
Ghana and Nigeria have so far deployed 205 and 200 military personnel respectively.
Why is Mr Jammeh refusing to leave office?
The Gambia regularly held elections, which he won until last year. Mr Jammeh had said there were irregularities in the election process, including the turning away of some of his supporters from polling stations, and errors made by the Electoral Commission.
The Commission accepted that some of the results it initially published contained errors, but said Mr Barrow had still won. Mr Jammeh has said he will stay in office until new elections are held.
Retaining power would have ensured he was not prosecuted in The Gambia for alleged abuses committed during his rule. The US state department urged Mr Jammeh to peacefully transfer power to Mr Barrow on Thursday.
“Doing so would allow him to leave office with his head held high and to protect The Gambian people from potential chaos,” spokesman John Kirby said.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
