(Banjul) Senegalese troops belonging to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed by Nigerian air and naval power, as well as other troops from Ghana have marched into Gambia in which to oust long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh after he failed to step aside when his mandate ended at midnight after losing the presidential election last month.
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Senegalese troops entering #Gambia as #YahyaJammeh refuses to go. #GambiaHasDecided— Albert Nchinda (@AlbertNchinda) 19 January 2017
Video credit - @Jallow_M pic.twitter.com/lqLbGzrRB7
The ECOWAS troops moved in shortly after Adama Barrow (who won the election last December) was inaugurated as Gambia's first new leader in more than 22 years at the country's embassy in neighbouring Senegal after a final effort at diplomatic talks with Mr Jammeh failed to secure his departure.
Senegalese military spokesman Colonel Abdou Ndiaye speaking to the media has confirmed that the first West African troops had crossed into Gambia and are on their way to the capital, Banjul. with the Army and now the Navy deserting Jammeh, it appears that his time in office is about to come to a very quick end.
