Top US official in The Gambia for Barrow's inauguration

A top official of the United States (US) will join a host of dignitaries at the inauguration ceremony of Gambian President Adama Barrow tomorrow.

The Gambia’s 52nd Independence Day celebration has also been tied to the official swearing-in of President Adama Barrow. The event will take place at the Independence Stadium in the capital, Banjul.

Reports indicate that Presidents from about 20 African countries are expected to attend the event. Majority of these will be from the West African subregion, many international partners will also be expected in the ‘Smiling Coast’ of Africa to grace the occasion.

According to a statement from the US Department of State, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is due in The Gambia between February 17–19, to attend the inauguration of President Adama Barrow on Saturday, February 18.

‘‘During her trip, the Assistant Secretary will meet with President Barrow and other Gambian officials,’‘ the statement added.

AsstSec Thomas-Greenfield will travel to Banjul to attend the inauguration of President Barrow. #GambiaHasDecided https://t.co/S805ZyDmRj

— A/SThomas-Greenfield (@AsstSecStateAF) February 16, 2017

Barrow took his first oath of office in Dakar, at the Gambian embassy in Senegal. He was sworn-in by the head of The Gambian bar association. This second oath will be administered by the new Chief Justice, Justice Hassan Jallow.

His inability to take oath in Bajul after winning December 2016 polls was due to the refusal of former leader, Yahya Jammeh, to accept his poll loss. Barrow is the third president of The Gambia. Jammeh overthrew the first President, Dawda Jawara – Jawara is expected to be present for the event.

Barrow returned to the country four days after Jammeh agreed to go into exile. He is currently in Equatorial Guinea. Jammeh came to power via a bloodless coup in 1994 before transiting to become a civilian ruler who won four successive elections.