Mohamed has applauded regional leaders under ECOWAS for standing firm with the citizens of The Gambia, by insisting that the outgoing President Yahya Jammeh must exit office/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 20 – Kenya has congratulated The Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow, a day after he was sworn into office at the country’s embassy in Senegal.
In a statement by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Kenya has termed his inauguration as a historic milestone, that confirms that Africa was ready to take responsibility of its destiny by deepening democracy all over the Continent.
Mohamed has applauded regional leaders under ECOWAS for standing firm with the citizens of The Gambia, by insisting that the outgoing President Yahya Jammeh must exit office.
“It is a historic milestone in our collective history and reaffirms the commitment of Africa to take responsibility destiny and deepen democracy and the Continent,” the CS said in a statement.
“We are grateful to the International Community for support to ECOWAS and stand ready to offer any assistance required.”
Jammeh has refused to hand over power after he lost to Barrow in the presidential race and instead called for a re-run, a move that led to the current crisis in the small Western African country, that has seen the intervention of regional forces, who want to force him out office.
Jammeh has refused to step down despite international pressure following his December election loss.
The UN Security Council unanimously backed efforts by the regional bloc ECOWAS to force Jammeh to hand over power, (without formally authorising military action).
As Barrow was sworn in, celebrations erupted in The Gambian capital Banjul, where tensions have run high over the crisis, especially since a declaration of emergency by Jammeh on Tuesday.
Among the revellers was Gambian army chief Ousman Badjie, who had said Wednesday he would not order his men to fight the African troops then poised to intervene.
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