GAMBIA, DECEMBER 19, 2017 – Adama Barrow has been sworn-in as new President of Gambia.
He took the oath of office at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal on Thursday.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Barrow called on security forces to “demonstrate their loyalty” in a standoff with outgoing President of the country, Yahya Jammeh.
He said, “From today on, I am the president of the Gambia regardless of whether you voted for me or not.”
“I command the chief of defence staff and officers of high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as commander in chief without any delay.
“I command all members of the armed forces to remain in their barracks, those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my order will be considered rebels.”
Jammeh, who was floored by Barrow in the last presidential election, first conceded defeat but later changed his mind citing irregularities during the polls. He has since challenged the results in court but has suffered several setbacks.
Following Jammeh’s insistence to clinch onto power, the country’s parliament, had on Wednesday backed his stay in office by extending his tenure by three months.
The action of the President has left many of the country’s citizens in fear as they have now fled to neighbouring Senegal.
Just yesterday, the country’s Vice President, Isatou Njie Saidy, resigned from her position.
The development is coming same day the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology and Religious Affairs, Abubacar Senghore, who is the eighth cabinet member, abandoned Jammeh.
Similarly, Counsel to the embattled President, Edu Gomez, fled the country to neighbouring Senegal after asking the President to step down in order to avoid a gruesome end to his tenure.
Earlier, Nigerian soldiers and a Nigerian warship were sent to the Gambia to terminate the 22-year old leadership of Jammeh who has vowed against handing over power.
