SENEGAL'S MACKY SALL LAUDS PRESIDENT BUHARI ON THE GAMBIA

President Macky Sall of Senegal has thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention in The Gambian impasse that led to the restoration of democracy in the West African country.

Former President Yahya Jammeh had baulked at handing over power to Adama Barrow, winner of an election held last December, but ECOWAS leaders, under the inspiration of President Buhari, insisted Jammeh must quit at the expiration of his term in January. He did, rather involuntarily.

In a communication with the Nigerian leader, Macky Sall said:

PHOTONEWS: Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo attends the swearing-in ceremony for the new President of the Gambia, Adama Barrow, at the weekend in Banjul

President Adama Barrow: I am very pleased to announce to you all my Cabinet of Ministers

I am very pleased to announce to you all my Cabinet of Ministers. #Gambia pic.twitter.com/tnhPOTq7CB

— Adama Barrow (@adama_barrow) February 11, 2017

ECOWAS Forces Moves Into Gambia without any resistance

Economic Community of Waest African States (ECOWAS) coalition forces who have been on stand by in Senegal have moved into Gambia with a view to securing strategic positions.

Ecomog Force commander, Air Commodore Tajjudeen Yusuf confirmed that the troops met no resistance as they moved into the country. The Gambian security forces are said to have rather been friendly and welcoming.

The Nigerian air-force also conducted armed Reece of the the country from the base in Dakar Senegal without any hindrance. Correspondent Macham reports that the troops are expected to prepare the grounds for the return of president ADAMA BARROW to the country.

I am in consultation with ECOWAS: President Barrow to stay in Senegal until Jammeh Leave for Guinea

An Unconfirmed reports has it that Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh with his familly has departed The Gambia to Guinea

The recently inaugurated president of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, has revealed he will be ruling the country from his hide out in Dakar, Senegal until he gets security clearance from ECOWAS. He was sworn into office on Thursday at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar as Yahya Jammeh refused to relinquish power after losing elections in December.

Jammeh cites irregularities during the electoral process in December.

Mr Barrow, a political novice, won the elections to end the over two-decades-old grip on power by Mr Jammeh. Since the announcement by the country's electoral commission, Mr Jammeh has sought to use various means to extend his rule, calling for fresh elections at some point.

It is Already War: Yahya Jammeh pleads for more time as troops close in

By land, sea and air, Gambia is surrounded. A total of 7,000 men will participate in the mission to re-establish democracy in Gambia

The Gambia's defeated President Yahya Jammeh has asked for a deadline for him to leave office or be forced out by UN-backed forces to be extended until 16:00 GMT on Friday.

The earlier deadline of noon passed as the Guinean and Mauritanian presidents arrived in Banjul for last-ditch talks.

Mr Jammeh's elected successor, Adama Barrow, was sworn in as president at a ceremony in Senegal on Thursday.

Troops acting in support of President Barrow have paused their advance.

The forces from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) regional grouping are backed by the United Nations.

What May Likely Happen As Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh Backtracks, Decides To Stay Put

President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia has changed his mind again and has decided to stay put and defend his government. Mr Jammeh was earlier reported to have accepted a last-minute deal brokered by Mauritania’s president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz who was in Banjul on a day’s visit.

The deal included him going into exile in Mauritania.

He later had a change of heart and said he will only go into exile if judges at the Supreme Court rule against his petition in May.

A disappointed President Aziz left Banjul late in the night for Senegal where he held talks with President Mack Sall.

Yahya Jammeh Bows Down To Pressure, Agrees To Go Into Exile In Mauritania

Barely a few hours before his mandate expires, President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia is reported to have accepted a last-minute deal to relinquish power peacefully and go into exile. According to reports from Banjul which are yet to be independently confirmed, Mr Jammeh agreed to step down in the interest of peace and stability of the Gambia after a tense closed door meeting with the visiting president of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

Reports added that Mr Jammeh will leave for Mauritania tonight with President Aziz. It is not clear whether he will settle there permanently or move to another country.

Mr Jammeh’s mandate expires at midnight of Wednesday after his surprised defeat in last month’s election by opposition candidate Adama Barrow.

Why President Buhari flew out of Banjul with Barrow on Friday, en route to Mali,

President Buhari arrives Bamako Mali to
attend 27th Africa-France Summit on 13th Jan 2017

(AFP)   President Muhammadu Buhari and other West African leaders, may have tactically taken Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow into safety after a botched attempt to persuade President Yahya Jammeh to voluntarily cede power after he lost the 1 December election. Jammeh’s tenure ends 19 January. And both ECOWAS and the AU have said he would cease to be the leader of West Africa’s smallest country by 20 January.

President Buhari flew out of Banjul with Barrow on Friday, en route to Mali, for what was called crisis talks in hopes of ending the nation’s political impasse.

Gambia’s President-elect, Adama Barrow says "I’m alive and well"

* Shakes off assassination rumour

* Gambia Army chief declares support of armed forces for Jammeh

Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow

Contrary to media reports, Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow is hale and hearty. CBN Television, Banjul had ‎earlier reported that he was murdered by that unknown assailants who overpowered his security guards, leaving two dead and six others injured from gunshots.



Reacting to the report, popular Gambian journalist Fatu Camara wrote: “BREAKING: We are getting reports that due to threats on the lives of coalition members, many of them are currently evacuated to safe houses..
Meanwhile, contrary to fake news going around that President Elect Barrow and two security guards were assassinated, we can confirm to you that Barrow is fine as we speak. Stay tuned!,” she posted on Facebook
However, a tweet from his official handle, @adama_barrow, ‎said he’s alive and well. “We would like to inform you that the President-elect is alive and well. #Gambia‎”, it read. His rumoured death is coming few days after he referred to the country’s constitution that a court action taken by supposed outgoing President Yahya Jammeh cannot prevent the winner of the poll from assuming office as mandated by the constitution.

Gambian Jammeh adamant, insists he will not step down as Gambian President

Embattled Gambia President, Yahya Jammeh, has condemned the West Africa economic bloc, ECOWAS, for urging him to step down following his election defeat.

Gambia was plunged into a crisis on Dec. 9 after Jammeh rejected the results, a week after conceding defeat to a little known property developer, Adama Barrow.

The term of the long-standing ruler is set to expire on Jan. 19.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the African Bar Association that was televised on Tuesday night, Jammeh said the position taken by the regional body had violated its own principle of “non-interference in the affairs of a sovereign state”.

WE NEED BUHARI'S EXPERIENCE TO RESOLVE POLITICAL LOGJAM, SAYS MEMBER OF GAMBIAN COALITION

The coalition of seven political parties that produced Adama Barrow, President-elect of The Gambia, looks earnestly up to President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to deploy his vast experience, alongside other African leaders, to resolve the political logjam in the tiny West African country.

Speaking with the media during the high-level ECOWAS /AU/UN Joint Mission to The Gambia on Tuesday, Hamad Bah, one of the coalition members, declared:

"We need the experience of President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria in many ways. Like President Jammeh, he is a former military officer, so he knows how the military thinks, and would be able to talk to him appropriately.