ECOWAS Military forces have marched into Gambia with new president, Adama Barrow In a bid to forcefully oust Yahya Jammeh from the presidential villa.
They crossed from Senegal into Gambia, hours after President Adama Barrow was sworn into office, the African Press Agency reported Thursday.
Long convoys of military vehicles with armed soldiers entered the troubled nation through the border town of Karang, resident Abdoulie Bah told dpa.
The troops are expected to search for long-term ruler Yahya Jammeh, who refuses to give up power despite losing the December 1, 2016 presidential election to Barrow.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his “deep concern” about Jammeh’s refusal to step aside.
The UN Security Council voted unanimously to back Barrow and called for a peaceful transition of power.
The resolution called on former president Jammeh “to carry out a peaceful and orderly transition process,” and to transfer power to Barrow in accordance with the Gambian constitution.
It also supported ECOWAS “in its commitment to ensure the respect of the will of the people … as expressed in the results of the December 1 elections.”
Earlier on Thursday, Barrow was sworn in as Gambian president in neighbouring Senegal, after weeks of political impasse caused by Jammeh’s refusal to accept the election result.
“This is a day no Gambian will ever forget,” said Barrow after he was sworn into office by the president of the Gambian Bar Association, Sherif Tambedou, at Gambia’s embassy in Senegal’s capital, Dakar.
