Gambia: Adama Barrow to serve only 3 years as per coalition accord

President-elect of the Gambia, Adama Barrow, says he will only serve for a three-year transition period after winning December 1 presidential polls.

Jeffrey Smith, a journalist who extensively covered the last polls reported from Barrow’s first press conference since winning that the decision to rule for the 3-year transition period was a key part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by all coalition parties who united before the polls.

Seven opposition parties united behind Barrow in the run up to the polls. He succeeded in unseating long serving Yahya Jammeh who had ruled the Gambia for over two decades.

Barrow also addressed issues relating to the potential exit from the International Criminal Court (ICC) which was initiated by the Jammeh regime. “We are in the ICC. We are not out, we are there,” he is quoted to have said.

He also assured that all members of the coalition would be represented in his government after he is sworn-in early next year. In a mark of his commitment to freedom, Barrow said the era where people could be illegally detained was over.

#Gambia's new governing coalition highlights several times they'll cultivate new, friendly environment for journalists. cc: africamedia_CPJ

— Jeffrey Smith (Smith_JeffreyT) December 8, 2016

‘‘Nobody thought we could change this government by the ballot box. But the mentality of the people, (and) social media, played a role in voter education,’‘ he a post election interview with Al Jazeera.

Jammeh who ruled as president for twenty two years, conceded defeat in the presidential election. He subsequently called to congratulate the businessman for his victory.

According to the Electoral Commission, Barrow won 263,515 votes (45.5%) in Thursday’s election, while President Jammeh took 212,099 (36.7%). A third party candidate, Mama Kandeh managed 102,969 (17.8%).