Embattled Barrow flees Gambia, seeks refuge in Senegal

Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow will stay in Dakar, Senegal until his inauguration on January 19 following political turmoil in his native country over the last political election staged on the 1st of December, 2016.

Barrow is reported to have arrived Dakar on Sunday from the 27th France-Africa summit in Mali which he attended with ECOWAS leaders on Friday and his move to Dakar, was said to have been facilitated on the request made by ECOWAS chairperson, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who advised that Barrow stays in Dakar until the inauguration day when he will be escorted to Banjul.

His arrival in Dakar was confirmed by Senegalese authorities when they announced on Saturday night that they agreed to host Barrow after the request was made.

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“Senegalese President Macky Sall agreed in Bamako on Saturday to host Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow in Dakar until his inauguration,” Senegalese news agency APS reported.

Long-serving Yahya Jammeh, a former coup leader has refused to give up power after he lost the December 1 election to Adama Barrow by a slim margin.

He initially conceded defeat but a week later contested the poll’s results, citing irregularities.

His refusal to relinquish power has forced the hand of the African Union which has issued a warning to Jammeh that it will cease to recognise him as the legitimate president of the West African country if he stays beyond his mandate.

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