Gambia's Jammeh Agrees to go into Exile as Regional Troops Mass

Gambia's longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh, who refused to accept his election defeat last month, has agreed to go into exile, a senior advisor to new President Adama Barrow said on Friday, but talks to finalize the deal were holding up his exit.

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The news comes as Gambia's army chief General Ousman Badjie told Reuters Friday that he recognized new President Adama Barrow as the new commander-and-chief and would not fight a regional force poised to depose Yahya Jammeh, who has refused to step down.

"We are going to welcome them with flowers and make them a cup of tea," Badjie said. "This is a political problem. It's a misunderstanding. We are not going to fight Nigerian, Togolese or any military that comes."

Outgoing Gambian President Yahya Jammeh had missed another deadline imposed by West African leader to cede power to his elected successor. The deadline of noon local time had been extended in a last-minute effort for a peaceful transfer of power. 

The United States supports military intervention by Gambia's West African neighbors to ensure Gambian President Adama Barrow assumes power from Jammeh after its recent election, the U.S. State Department said Thursday.

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It was important to stabilize a tense situation in Gambia, spokesman John Kirby told a press briefing.

Barrow was sworn in as Gambia's new president on Thursday at a ceremony in the country's embassy in neighboring Senegal, as Jammeh, who has ruled as Gambia’s president since 1994 refused to step down and a military-imposed deadline for the transfer of power passed.

Barrow, who won the election over Jammeh last month, was inaugurated in the Gambian embassy in Senegal, despite pressure on Jammeh from military forces stationed at the country's borders to step down. 

"This is a day no Gambian will ever forget in a lifetime," Barrow said in an address broadcast on Senegalese television. Jammeh earlier said that he would be willing to step down if Barrow did not go ahead with the inauguration. 

Senegalese forces have been stationed at Gambia’s border and the deadline for Jammeh to make way for President-elect Adama Barrow passed at midnight local time. Jammeh earlier announced a state of emergency in response to the troop build up.

Ghana and Nigeria have also sent combat troops to the border and the Economic Community of West African States, Ecowas, has repeatedly urged Jammeh to respect the election outcome and step aside. Amid the crisis, Gambia's Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy and Minister of Higher Education Abubakar Senghore quit their positions, and there is real concern that the standoff will result in a military intervention.

"We are ready and are awaiting the deadline at midnight. If no political solution is found, we will step in," Colonel Abdou Ndiaye from the Senegalese army said on Wednesday evening according to Reuters. 

Gambia's army chief announced that he wouldn't order his troops to fight foreign forces if they crossed into the country’s territory. The U.N. Refugee Agency for West Africa has reported that many Gambians have started to cross into Senegal in the fear of the situation erupting. The evacuation of tourists has also started.

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Former Gambian foreign minister, Sidi Sanneh, told Al Jazeera that there is a faction in the Gambian army that is not prepared to fight a battle against the foreign troops if they intervene, but there were also factions loyal to Jammeh “who enjoyed the fruits of the 22 years of dictatorship. We expect them to put up a fight. How much of a fight? That is still up in the air.”

“I am now less pessimistic (that Jammeh) will work on a peaceful solution that is in the best interest for everyone,” said Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who has been involved in negotiations to between parties to break the standoff. 

Barrow, who defeated Jammeh in the Dec. 2 election, is being sheltered in Senegal and is expected to be sworn in for the presidency at the Gambian embassy in the neighboring country. Jammeh, who said that he rule would last for a “billion years,” took power following a coup in 1994 and has been criticized for winning a number of rigged elections and of ordering the deaths of several political opponents.