Newly sworn-in Gambian President Adama Barrow has appealed to international bodies, United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and ECOWAS to help force out Yahya Jammeh, who has refused to step down.
Barrow defeated Jammeh in last year’s presidential election, with the latter earlier conceding defeat.
However Jammeh made a quick U-turn insisting the election was rigged, hence his refusal to accept the results.
This development has led to turmoil and instability in Gambia, prompting Barrow to be sworn in as President in Senegal instead of his native country.
In Gambia: New president, Adama Barrow begs for UN’s help to kick out Yahya Jammeh
At his swearing in ceremony, held at Gambia’s embassy in Senegal on Thursday, Barrow lauded the efforts of the international bodies throughout the testing times of Gambia, adding that ECOWAS, AU and UN must help to enforce the will of the Gambian people.
“My right as the winner to be sworn in and assume the office President is constitutionally guaranteed and irreversible,” the newly inaugurated Gambian president said in his speech.
“I hereby make a special appeal to ECOWAS, AU and the UN, particularly the Security Council to support the government and the people of The Gambia in enforcing their will and restore their sovereignty and constitutional legitimacy.”
Barrow added that his election means democratic rule has been restored to Gambia.
“The capacity to effect change through the ballot box has proven power belongs to the people in The Gambia. Violent change is banished forever from the political life of this country. All Gambians are therefore winners. There is no loser in this election.” The small West African state now has two men claiming to be president.”
