In
order to avoid bloodshed, the President of Liberia and other leaders
have landed in Gambia in a final bid to persuade Jammeh to step down.
Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
President of Guinea, Alpha Conde and that of Liberia, Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf arrived Banjul, Gambia, on Friday for a last minute talk
with outgoing President, Yahya Jammeh.
The deadline given to Jammeh to relinquish power to President-elect Adama Barrow expired at noon.
Barrow was sworn-in at The Gambia Embassy in Daker, Senegal on Thursday.
Barrow has been in Senegal for several days at the request of West African leaders until his planned inauguration.
Speaking after taking oath of office in Dakar, he called on
security forces to “demonstrate their loyalty” in a standoff with
outgoing President of the country, Yahya Jammeh.
“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.”
Barrow defeated Jammeh in last month’s presidential election.
Although Jammeh initially conceded defeat, he later changed his mind citing irregularities during the polls.
This comes as a spokesperson for the Senegalese army confirmed
troops have entered Gambia, following Jammeh’s refusal to step down as
president of the country.
Some Gambians have taken to the social media to comment on the latest situation in their country.
In what may confirmed Barrow’s arrival in Banjul, Ruth
Maclean@ruthmaclean tweeted, saying:`A Mauritania Airlines plane
just landed at Banjul airport. Unclear who’s on board.”
Evelyn Tremble @DrumChronicles, tweeted that #Gambia #Banjul
soldiers at airport to meet presidents of #Guinea and #Liberia flyiny in
to try persuade defeated president Jammeh to leave.
Umaru Fofana @UmaruFofana, said all set at the #Gambia now.
“As deadline clocks for Jammeh, aircraft just landed with Guinea & Mauritanian presidents.’’
Ruth MacleanVerified account @ruthmaclean said “Uniformed soldiers
marching onto tarmac at Banjul airport to meet the presidents of Guinea
and Liberia, flying in to talk to Jammeh.
Meanwhile as events unfold, Jammeh is reported to have fired what’s
left of his cabinet after mass resignations, declared he would oversee
all ministries himself.
Fatu Camara @Fatushow said “State TV announced that #Gambia’s
#Jammeh has dissolved his cabinet and will form new cabinet in a few
days. It seems he is still in denial.’’
Umaru Fofana @UmaruFofana said “ECOMIG troops halted &
told not to enter #Gambia capital until a visit on Friday by a foreign
leader presumably to fly out Yahyah Jammeh.
-NAN
No comments:
Post a Comment