Barrow to take oath of office at Gambian embassy in Dakar

The swearing in of The Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow, will go ahead today in neighbouring Senegal.

A tweet from an account managed by Barrow’s staff disclosed that the ceremony will be held at the Gambian embassy in Dakar at 16:00 GMT.

Barrow has been in Senegal since last week after he left Banjul with regional mediation team led by Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari. The party spokesperson had earlier insisted that the swearing in will take place at a secret location in the Gambia.

You are all welcome to my inauguration today 4pm at The #Gambian embassy in #Dakar.

— Adama Barrow (@BarrowOfficial1) January 19, 2017

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

Ex President Jammeh refused to handover executive power following the expiration of his mandate on midnight of January 18. Jammeh lost the December 1 elections to Barrow – an opposition coalition candidate.

He accepted his loss and promised to handover peacefully, a position he was lauded for internationally. A week later he backtracked and announced the annulment of the process and ordered a rerun.

The opposition rejected his declaration and insisted that they will go ahead with preparations for Barrow’s swearing in. Barrow enjoys huge international backing and recognition as the legitimate president of the tiny West African nation.