Barrow set to return as ECOWAS plans 6 months stay in Gambia

President-elect, Adama Barrow is set to return to Gambia on Thursday as he seeks to take hold of power after the 22-year reign of exiled former leader Yahya Jammeh.

The announcement of Barrow’s arrival which was made on a Facebook page linked to the president said Barrow will arrive Banjul, the capital of Gambia at 4:00pm on Thursday after earlier reports suggested that he was to have arrived on Tuesday, January 24.

Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Commission through its president, Mr Marcel de Souza has informed that its troops will remain in Gambia for the next six months, as requested by President Barrow.

Read also: Barrow to set up truth and reconciliation committee to deal with grievances against Jammeh

While briefing members of the diplomatic corps and partner organisations on the political situation in The Gambia on Tuesday in Abuja, De Souza, however, said that retaining troops in that country would be decided by the Chiefs of Army Staff.

“By the end of the week, the forces will fall back. “Barrow would like us to have a sufficient force on ground for about six months; we will see which troops will be withdrawn and which would be retained.”

He said that the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia was to secure peace contrary to reports that there was a military force in the country after former President Yayah Jammeh’s departure.

 

 

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