Gambian legislators voted to extend President Yahya Jammeh’s term by three months, just hours before his mandate was set to expire, state television reported on Wednesday. As tourists were evacuated, regional countries prepared for a possible military intervention.
Political crisis
The President-elect has vowed to take office on Thursday regardless of whether Mr. Jammeh leaves. “Our future starts tomorrow,” Adama Barrow was quoted as saying in a tweet, adding that his supporters made history when they elected him in December. Mr. Barrow is currently in neighbouring Senegal for his safety, and it was not clear how the inauguration would take place.
In a sign of mounting international pressure, Nigeria confirmed a warship was heading toward Gambia for “training” as regional countries prepared to intervene, if necessary, after diplomatic efforts failed to persuade Mr. Jammeh to step down.
Troop deployments
As the crisis deepened, more than 1,000, mainly British and Dutch, tourists began leaving the tiny West African nation on specially chartered flights. Hundreds streamed into the airport, seeking information on departures.
On Tuesday, Mr. Jammeh declared a three-month state of emergency as he seeks to stay in power despite losing elections. He has challenged the results, citing voting irregularities, and the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS has threatened to send in troops to make him leave.
Nigeria said it is contributing 200 troops to the standby force for Gambia. Already 11 pilots, 11 crew members and 80 “supporting troops” have been deployed. Senegal and Ghana also are contributing to the force. Gambia, a country of 1.9 million people, is estimated to have just 900 troops. — AP
