Senegal army chief visits ECOWAS troops, meets President Barrow

Senegal’s Army Chief has met with President Adama Barrow during a visit to the Gambia where he met with regional troops who were deployed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Brigadier General Cheikh Dieye visited the troops who are expected to shore up security in the Gambia for at least six months. The contingent are located at a Command Center in Fajara, a town located outside of the capital Banjul.

He applauded the troops for a job well done by securing key national installations and helping maintain general discipline in the country.

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#Gambia: #Senegal Chief of Defense Staff, Brig. Gen. Cheikh #Dieye who is in Gambia visiting #ECOMIG troops, meets Prez BarrowOfficial1 pic.twitter.com/5XX7TT47Im

— Alhagie Jobe (freejobe39) February 7, 2017

The ECOMIG force currently in the Gambia were originally detailed to oust long-serving leader Yahya Jammeh. The ex-President had refused to accept results of an election loss last December, a situation that heightened political tension in the country.

Senegal played a key role in the post-election impasse that hit its neighbour and has been lauded for the political, diplomatic, humanitarian and military assistance that it has offered since.

Senegal was part of the ECOWAS mediation effort with Jammeh – even though both efforts ended inconclusively. Senegal also sheltered fleeing public officials and politicians. They also housed the president-elect Adama Barrow until he took his oath of office at the Gambian embassy in Dakar.

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