Jammeh finally Accepts to vacate presidency, Prepares for Exile

Embattled Ex Gambian President, Yahaya Jammeh is reportedly, currently writing an acceptance speech wherein he would agree to cede power and officially recognize Adama Barrow as his successor.

President Barrow, has confirmed this. On his twitter handle, he twitted, “I would like to inform you that Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down. He is scheduled to depart Gambia today. #NewGambia.”

A France24 journalist in The Gambia, Nicolas Germain, also confirmed this in a tweet. According to him, Jammeh is “currently writing the statement where he accepts to leave, in the presence of Guinean officials.”

Also, inside sources at The Gambia Radio and Television Services on Friday told the African Press Agency that the Mauritanian and Guinean leaders Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and Alpha Conde who were in Banjul for further talks finally prevailed on beleaguered Jammeh to leave office.

Sources at the state broadcaster did not state when Jammeh would leave, a move which would lead to Barrow’s return from Dakar to occupy the seat of power.

News of the former leader’s capitulation comes as a second deadline elapsed at 4 pm on Friday for Jammeh who was defeated at last month’s elections to step aside or face being forcibly removed by a regional force already deployed in some parts of the country except the capital Banjul.

Army chief backs Barrow

Gambia’s army chief General Ousman Badjie said  he recognized new President Adama Barrow as the new commander-and-chief and would not fight a regional force poised to depose Yahya Jammeh, who has refused to step down.

“We are going to welcome them with flowers and make them a cup of tea,” Badjie told Reuters in an interview today.

“This is a political problem. It’s a misunderstanding. We are not going to fight Nigerian, Togolese or any military that comes.”

Badjie had initially pledged loyalty to Barrow after the stunning announcement of his victory in the 1 December election.

He made a volte face again after Jammeh challenged Barrow’s election.

The army chief was seen yesterday in the streets of Banjul jubilating with the people after the swearing-in of Barrow in Dakar Senegal.

His pledge of loyalty to Barrow came as Jammeh prepares to leave the country, although he missed the 4pm deadline given by ECOWAS. Some reports said he was writing a last note before he departs to Guinea Conakry on exile.