President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has approved and authorized the deployment of a combat team of 205 Ghanaian soldiers to The Gambia to join the Ecowas force.
The Economic Community of West African States, Ecowas, has agreed to provide security as President-elect Adama Barrow is sworn in on Thursday, January 19 as President of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia.
President Yahya Jammeh, who lost the December 1 elections, had refused to step down though initially accepting defeat.
ECOWAS’ decision to send troops to The Gambia is to enforce the will of the people.
Two mediators including Former President, John Dramani Mahama were tasked to ensure that there is a smooth transition of power in the West African state.
In a statement from the seat of Ghana’s government, President Akufo-Addo, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, says the troops to The Gambia will be backed with “appropriate logistical equipment”.
“The objective is to create an enabling environment for the effective enforcement of the rule of law, and, in accordance with the Constitution of The Gambia, facilitate the inauguration of the President-Elect, Adama Barrow, on Thursday, January 19, 2017.”
The term of Yahya Jammeh, who has reigned for 22 years, officially ended on Wednesday, January 18. He had declared a 90-day state of emergency prior to the expiry of his term.