Adama Barrow to be sworn in at Gambian embassy in Senegal

The in-coming president of the Gambia Adama Barrow is to be sworn in at Gambian embassy in Senegal today, his spokesman said on Thursday.

“It is going to take place at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, they have changed the venue, at 4:00 pm (1600 GMT),” spokesman Halifa Sallah said.

Barrow himself tweeted the information earlier the toay.

I would like to inform you that the Inauguration Ceremony is going to take place at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. #Gambia pic.twitter.com/ofxlIpJChl

— Adama Barrow (@adama_barrow) January 19, 2017

Organisers had planned a large ceremony in a stadium near the Gambian capital, Banjul, but were forced to change plans due to the political crisis caused by incumbent Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to step down following a disputed December 1 election.

Jammeh, who has ruled the country for 22 years and whose mandate expired at midnight (0000 GMT), has attempted to block the inauguration with a court ruling and by declaring a state of emergency.

Barrow is in Senegal until he can return safely, and Senegalese troops backed by Nigerian forces and fighter jets are gathered on the border with The Gambia.

The army chief, however, has insisted his soldiers would not get involved in a “political dispute” nor prevent foreign forces from entering the west African nation.