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Gambian President Barrow to Return Home Thursday

  • The swearing in ceremony at the inauguration of Gambia President Adama Barrow at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal, Jan. 19, 2017

    The swearing in ceremony at the inauguration of Gambia President Adama Barrow at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal, Jan. 19, 2017 | Photo: Reuters-Office of the Senegal Presidency

Published 25 January 2017
Opinion

Barrow will assume the presidency in the West African country after 22 years under Jammeh, known for his oppressive tactics.

Gambian President Adama Barrow, who was inaugurated in neighboring Senegal as mediators engineered an exit deal for predecessor Yahya Jammeh, is to return to Gambia on Thursday, a senior aide said.

Barrow will face the task of restoring democratic governance in the sliver-like West African country after 22 years under Jammeh, whose government gained a reputation for the torture and killing of perceived opponents.

"He (Barrow) is leaving tomorrow and will arrive in Banjul at around 4 p.m.," aide Amie Bojang told Reuters.

Jammeh pitched Gambia into turmoil in December when he refused to accept his loss in an election to Barrow and demanded a fresh vote.

The former soldier finally stepped down on Saturday and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea under diplomatic pressure given teeth by several thousand West African troops who crossed into Gambia and were poised to enforce the election result.

Many Gambians are angry that Jammeh fled into what they assume to be a luxurious exile rather than face trial for alleged human rights abuses.

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