Gambia’s Minister of Information, Sidie Njie, has insisted that Yahya Jammeh will not step down as President.
Njie is the only Minister still in support of Jammeh, after six of his colleagues resigned two days earlier.
He has now told the BBC that his principal was still in control of the West African nation, despite Adama Barrow being sworn-in on Thursday.
Barrow defeated Jammeh in the December 1 presidential election and although he initially conceded defeat, Jammeh went on to reject the result of the polls. He is also refusing to vacate office amid regional and international pressure.
In his inaugural speech, Barrow urged the Gambian armed forces to remain loyal to the constitution.
“As commander-in-chief, I call on all personnel of the armed forces and other security agencies to be loyal to the Constitution and the Republic,” he said.
“As their commander-in-chief, I command all members of the armed forces to remain in the barracks and those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my command shall be considered rebels.”
He added that his administration had developed a think tank to put in place inclusive development, and urged all Gambians to “join hands to effect the change that will bring liberty and prosperity to everyone”.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Marcel de Souza, ECOWAS commission president; Moustapha Cisse Lo, ECOWAS parliament president; and Alima Ahmed, ECOWAS commissioner, political affairs, peace and security.
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