Ghana News – Gambia crisis: Barrow inauguration in Senegal as Jammeh stays put

The man who won The Gambia’s disputed election says he will be sworn in as president at the country’s embassy in neighbouring Senegal.

The message, posted on Adama Barrow’s social media accounts, invited the general public to attend the ceremony.

Last-ditch efforts by regional leaders to convince Yahya Jammeh to step down as president failed overnight.

He lost elections last month, but wants the results annulled citing errors in the electoral process.

West African military forces, stationed at the border, are ready to enforce a transfer of power in The Gambia, a popular beach destination among European holidaymakers.

UN Security Council backing for intervention is being sought by Senegal and the regional bloc Ecowas, but some diplomats said if Mr Barrow requested help after his inauguration such approval would not be needed.

Mr Barrow, a property developer who has never held public office, has been in Senegal since the weekend following an invitation to attend a summit of African leaders who back his victory.

He did not even go back home when his eight-year-old son died after being mauled by a dog. He missed the funeral on Monday as he was advised to remain in Senegal for his safety.

The president-elect tweeted and posted on Facebook that his inauguration would take place at 16:00 GMT at the embassy in the capital, Dakar.

If regional forces entered the Gambia, it is believed ordinary recruits would not fight 

He has joined at least 26,000 Gambians, fearful of violence, who have sought refuge in Senegal.

His spokesman says Mr Barrow’s team is keen for a peaceful resolution, but accepts military intervention may be inevitable.

“Ecowas is on the side of President Barrow – and if he’s sworn in obviously he has to be at the State House. If the other side refused then you are simply talking about a state of war,” Halifa Sallah told the BBC’s Newshour programme.

He said that President Jammeh had been given a letter promising that he would be given the same rights and privileges as Dawda Jawara, The Gambia’s only other ex-president.