Gambia: Barrow will be sworn in on Gambian soil - spokesperson

Gambia’s opposition spokesman has said that President-elect Adama Barrow will be sworn in on Gambian soil on January 19.

Halifa Sallah also warned Gambian security forces who would refuse to take an oath of loyalty to the new president saying that anyone under a president whose term has expired will be considered a rebel.

Halifa Sallah, opposition critic: “It is clear that President Jammeh currently has armed men. At the time of the investiture, on the 18th at midnight, these persons shall take an oath of fidelity to the republic and to the new person to be invested. They must not follow his orders. Anyone who agrees to follow a president whose term has expired will be a rebel.”

Meanwhile Adama Barrow, who will stay in Senegal until the date of his inaugration has called on his fellow citizens to observe calm and restraint, through a statement read by his spokesman Mai Fatty.

Hours earlier, the country’s chief justice had said he could not rule on an injunction filed by Jammeh to prevent Barrow’s inauguration from going ahead. The incumbent president had tried to prevent Barrow attending his own inauguration, along with many government officials.

Jammeh came to power as a 29-year-old army lieutenant and won four multi-party elections before he was finally defeated by Barrow in the December 1 elections.

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