The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has issued a final warning to Yahya Jammeh to step down as President of The Gambia, saying he has till 12noon today or will be forced out by troops.
Recall that there has been a political impasse in the West African country, following Jammeh’s loss to Adama Barrow in the country’s December 1 Presidential election.
Following his loss, Jammeh has refused to relinquish power, an action that has drawn serious international condemnation.
Despite Jammeh’s insistence of clinching onto power, Barrow was yesterday sworn-in as President of the Gambia in the country’s embassy in Senegal.
Speaking yesterday, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Commission, Marcel Alain de Souza, said failure of Jammeh to step down by noon of Friday, will result to a military action that will force him out of office.
Troops have been told to halt their advance until the deadline passes.
This is as the Guinea’s President, Alpha Conde, is due to hold a last minute talk with Jammeh today.
Marcel Alain de Souza, said if the meeting with Conde proved unsuccessful, militarily action would follow.
“If by midday, he Mr Jammeh, doesn’t agree to leave The Gambia under the banner of President Conde, we really will intervene militarily,” he said.
Troops from Senegal and other West African countries crossed into The Gambia after an initial deadline for Jammeh to stand down passed with his resignation.
The West African troops late Thursday arrived Gambia aimed at installing the country’s new president, Adama Barrow.
Earlier, Marcel Alain de Souza, who explained the reason for the suspension of military action had said, “We think that up until the last minute there is still a solution through dialogue.”
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