Yahya Jammeh Finally Steps Down

News coming in from Gambia has it on good authority that embattled long-term Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, has agreed to step down and leave the country.

Ex president Jammeh is said to have revealed this during his meeting with the presidents of Liberia and Guinea. Report say at long last, Jammeh is set to adhere to the Gambian constitution and step down.

A few hours ago, military forces of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had given Jammeh a 12-hour deadline extension to the time he has to step down. ECOWAS forces, early this morning, had crossed from Senegal into Gambia in an attempt to forcefully sack Jammeh if he refuses to leave office.

Yesterday, Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow was sworn into office. However, his swearing in was not done on Gambian soil but was rather carried out at the Gambian High Commission in Dakar, Senegal.

Adama Barrrow had on Saturday, fled to Dakar for safety reasons following Jammeh’s decision to hold on to power despite losing the presidential elections held in December, 2016.

Jammeh had initially accepted defeat and even went ahead to congratulate Barrow but later made a U-turn and decided to challenge the outcome of the election in the Supreme Court.

On Thursday, Gambia’s Chief of Defense, Ousman Badgie, came out to say that there “is not going to be any war or any fighting” while talks to convince Yahya Jammeh to step down progresses.

“It’s a political misunderstanding; it is going to be solved politically, not militarily. Security is guaranteed 100 per cent,” the Army Chief said.

On troops crossing into The Gambia from Senegal, Badgie said: “West African troops that crossed from neighboring Senegal into Gambia to help unseat Jammeh would be welcomed “with a cup of tea,”

Newly sworn in Gambian President Adama Barrow also confirmed that Jammeh had conceded power to him; Barrow tweeted:

“I would like to inform you that Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down.
“He is scheduled to depart Gambia today. #NewGambia.”

Hopefully, an end to the tension brewing in The Gambia is in sight.

Kingsley Ukpai

I write, I write and I keep writing... Most importantly, I make sure everything I write makes sense!

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