The finances of Mr Jammeh would also be investigated, Abubacarr Tambadou added.

People would be encouraged to confess to crimes, and victims would be offered compensation, he said.

The former regime was accused of widespread torture and enforced disappearances during its 22-year rule.

There were also unconfirmed allegations that more than $11m (£8.8m) went missing from The Gambia’s state coffers following Mr Jammeh’s departure in January.

He fled to Equatorial Guinea in January after regional troops entered the tiny West African state to force him to accept defeat to property developer Adama Barrow in elections the previous month.

“A Truth and Reconciliation Commission with appropriate reparations for victims will be set up within the next six months and public hearings will be expected to commence by the end of the year,” Mr Tambadou said in a statement.

Former intelligence chief Yankuba Badjie was arrested in January, making him the first of Mr Jammeh’s security officials to be taken into custody by the new government.

No official reason was given for his arrest.

Five notorious cases for The Gambia’s TRC:

• Opposition member Solo Sandeng allegedly beaten to death in detention in April 2016
• Journalist Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay allegedly forced to drink cooking oil and beaten unconsciousness in detention in July 2015
• Ex-army chief of staff Ndure Cham allegedly ordered to dig his grave and shot dead in 2013 for plotting coup
• Journalist Ebrima Manneh missing since he left his newsroom on July 2006
• Newspaper editor Deyda Hydara shot dead in his car in December 2004

After his election victory, Mr Barrow pledged that his government would not seek vengeance against officials of the former regime, and would instead set up a South Africa-styled Truth and Reconciliation Commission to heal wounds of the past.

In a 2015 report, campaign group Human Rights Watch said Mr Jammeh’s regime “frequently committed serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture against those who voiced opposition”.

Torture methods included the “electroshock of body parts, including genitals and dripping melted plastic bags onto the skin”, it said.

The regime relied heavily on its intelligence agency to target opponents, and was also accused of running paramilitary hit squads.

It denied the allegation, insisting that it upheld the law.

–

Source: BBC

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In an announcement on state TV, he said it was “not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed”.

The statement followed hours of talks between Mr Jammeh and West African mediators. He gave no details of what deal might have been struck.

Mr Jammeh has led the country for 22 years but was defeated in December’s election by Adama Barrow.

Mr Barrow has been in neighbouring Senegal for days and was inaugurated as president in the Gambian embassy there on Thursday.

Troops from several West African nations, including Senegal, have been deployed in The Gambia, threatening to drive Mr Jammeh out of office if he did not agree to go.

Mr Jammeh’s decision to quit came after talks with the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania.

“I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians,” he said.

“I promise before Allah and the entire nation that all the issues we currently face will be resolved peacefully.”

Shortly before the TV address, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz said that a deal had been struck and that Mr Jammeh would leave the country. He gave no further details.

Mr Jammeh was given an ultimatum to leave office or be forced out by UN-backed troops, which expired at 16:00 GMT on Friday.

The deadline was set by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), a regional grouping backed by the United Nations.

The first signs of a breakthrough came on Friday when a senior aide to the new president told the BBC’s Umaru Fofana that Mr Jammeh had agreed to step down.

Mr Jammeh had at first accepted defeat in the election but then reversed his position and said he would not step down.

He declared a 90-day state of emergency, blaming irregularities in the electoral process.

The electoral commission accepted that some of its early results had contained errors but said they would not have affected Mr Barrow’s win.

Mr Jammeh had vowed to stay in office until new elections were held.

–

Source: BBC

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Writing on Twitter on Friday, Adama Barrow said Jammeh would also leave the country.

“I would like to inform you that Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down. He is scheduled to depart Gambia today. #NewGambia,” he tweeted.

I would like to inform you that Yaya Jammeh agreed to relinquish power and leave the country.

— Adama Barrow (@BarrowOfficial1) January 20, 2017

Barrow was sworn-in at Gambia’s embassy in Dakar in neighbouring Senegal, on Thursday.

Red carpets were on Friday reportedly laid out at the airport in Gambia’s capital in what appeared to be preparations for a speech by Jammeh and a departure.

Also on Friday, Gambia’s chief of defence forces Ousmane Badjie pledged his allegiance to the country’s new president, a major shift as mediation continued to persuade defeated Jammeh to cede power.

Jammeh had rejected Barrow’s December 1 election win, despite significant pressure from regional powers and the UN, sparking a major crisis.

–

Source: Aljazeera

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A statement issued by the government on Friday, January 20, congratulated Adama Barrow and said he was the legitimate leader of the West African country.

The statement said, “South Africa recognizes President Adama Barrow as the legitimate President of The Gambia, and looks forward to a close working relationship with him and the people of The Gambia, to build and strengthen our bilateral relations.”

“South Africa commends the sterling efforts made by the international community, spearheaded by ECOWAS, the AU and the UNSC in the quest to finding a lasting and peaceful resolution of the political crisis in The Gambia.”

The government of South Africa further urged longtime leader of The Gambia, Mr Yahya Jammeh, to cooperate with the sub-regional bloc and step down peacefully.

While wishing Mr. Barrow well in his administration, it expressed hope that he returns to The Gambia to assume his democratic responsibility of Presidency.

“The South African Government calls on and urges former President Yahya Jammeh to cooperate with ECOWAS, and should step down peacefully.”

In conclusion, the South African Government expressed it hope that President Adama Barrow returns to his country to assume the role democratically bestowed on him by the people of The Gambia.

‘Jammeh asks for extension of ultimatum’

ECOWAS is making frantic efforts to ensure long-time leader of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh to step down after he lost the December 1 elections to Adama Barrow.

In what appears to be final attempts to get Jammeh to step down, ECOWAS issued an ultimatum to Mr. Jammeh to step down by 1600GMT.

Mr. Jammeh, has been meeting with the President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, and President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania within the period over the situation.

The talks appear to be the last possible attempt by the subregional body to strike a deal with the former leader before it introduces its military troops.

ECOWAS troops had been on standby on the border of the Gambia since Wednesday, but moved into the country on Thursday when the UN Security Council approved of ECOWAS’ military actions in the West African country.

‘Barrow sworn in as President’

President Adama Barrow was sworn into office at the Gambian Embassy in Senegal after Jammeh’s refusal to step down forced him to leave the country for Dakar.

His inauguration was witnessed by representatives of the ECOWAS, AU and the UN as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to him, Jammeh’s stay in the Gambia under his presidency, will make governance very difficult.

Speaking to Aljazeera after his inauguration, Mr. Barrow said under the circumstances, Jammeh cannot be allowed to stay in The Gambia.

“Under the circumstances, we cannot allow him [Jammeh] stay in The Gambia. It will make our job difficult. That is why all our negotiations is towards he leaving The Gambia.”

He added that, although he wishes Jammeh should not be allowed to stay in the country, he could return at a later time.

“We can let him come back; but as at now, the political climate does not allow that.”

In his message to Yahya Jammeh, Mr Barrow said, “We are the children of the same generation, myself and Yahya Jammeh. And we have made history together, so I’ll advise him to accept everything in good fate and give peace a chance. It is about democracy”

‘Jammeh asks for extension of ultimatum’

ECOWAS had extended an ultimatum it issued to Mr. Jammeh to step down to 1600GMT from 1200GMT.

This was upon the request of Mr. Jammeh, who is currently meeting with the President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, and President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania.

The talks appear to be the last possible attempt by the subregional body to strike a deal with the former leader before it introduces its military troops.

ECOWAS troops had been on standby on the border of the Gambia since Wednesday, but moved into the country on Thursday when the UN Security Council approved of ECOWAS’ military actions in the West African country.

‘Barrow sworn in as President’

President Adama Barrow was sworn into office at the Gambian Embassy in Senegal after Jammeh’s refusal to step down forced him to leave the country for Dakar.

His inauguration was witnessed by representatives of the ECOWAS, AU and the UN as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Guinea’s President Alpha Conde and Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz arrived in the Gambian capital Banjul on Friday for last-ditch talks with Jammeh, witnesses said. It was not clear whether Jammeh intended to step down.

A regional military force that crossed the border in support of his democratically elected successor, Adama Barrow, was awaiting orders on Friday. MarcelAlain de Souza, chair of the west African union Ecowas, said troops would force Jammeh out if he refused to leave the country.

The west African troops entered the Gambia on Thursday night, hours after Barrow was forced to hold his inauguration as president in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. De Souza said the west African force, which includes tanks, has so far met no resistance.

Source: Reuters

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It comes shortly after Mr Barrow took the oath of office at The Gambia’s embassy in the capital of Senegal.

He has been recognised internationally. But strongman Yahya Jammeh has refused to quit and is backed by parliament.

West African leaders have threatened to remove Mr Jammeh by force. The UN has backed their support for Mr Barrow.

The 15-member Security Council stressed on Thursday that this should be pursued “by political means first”.

Senegalese army spokesman Col Abdou Ndiaye was quoted by news agencies as saying the country’s troops entered The Gambia on Thursday afternoon.

Nigeria said earlier in the day that its “armed reconnaissance air force are over Gambia”, AFP reports.

“They have the capacity to strike,” Nigerian Air Force spokesman Ayodele Famuyiwa told the news agency.

After the swearing in ceremony, Adama Barrow ordered Gambian soldiers to remain in their barracks

West African military forces have made it clear they are ready to enforce a transfer of power in the country, a popular beach destination among European holidaymakers.

Mr Barrow took oath at the Gambian embassy in Dakar.

In his inauguration speech, he ordered all members of The Gambia’s armed forces to remain in their barracks.

“Those found illegally holding arms will be considered rebels,” he warned.

Western ambassadors to Senegal, the UN envoy for West Africa and officials from the regional bloc Ecowas (Economic Community of West African States) attended the ceremony, while hundreds of Gambian expatriates gathered outside the compound.

Meanwhile, Mr Jammeh’s term in office has been extended for three months by a two-thirds majority in parliament. Some experts say he still has a legitimate claim to be called the country’s president.

Gambian Information Minister Sidie Njie told the BBC on Thursday that Mr Jammeh would not leave his office.

–

Source: BBC

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Mr. Barrow has been living in Senegal for the past few days following political crisis in The Gambia, because Yahya Jammeh who lost in the country’s election to Barrow on December 1, 2016, has refused to step down despite conceding defeat.

Mr. Barrow in his inaugural speech said, “This is a victory for the Gambian nation. Power belongs to the people in The Gambia. This is a day no Gambian will ever forget; first time since The Gambia became independent that it’s changed a government through the ballot box,” Barrow said.

He thus called on the international community to help force out Mr. Jammeh.

“My right as the winner to be sworn in and assume the office President is constitutionally guaranteed and irreversible. I hereby make a special appeal to ECOWAS, AU and the UN, particularly the Security Council to support the government and the people of The Gambia in enforcing their will and restore their sovereignty and constitutional legitimacy.”

Several efforts by ECOWAS leaders to have Mr. Jammeh step down have been fruitless.

[contextly_sidebar id=”CNBa0WB1h9mdRzSDdvJGi8GHxGPzgNrj”]Meanwhile, Mr. Barrow was sworn into office by the head of the Gambian Bar Association.

Several dignitaries from ECOWAS and AU were at the function.

Background

Mr. Jammeh had said there were irregularities in the election held on December  1 2016, and that some of his supporters were turned away from polling stations.

He also complained about some errors made by the Electoral Commission.

The Commission accepted that, some of the results it initially published contained errors, but said Mr. Barrow had still won. Mr Jammeh has said he will stay in office until new elections are held.

He had The Gambian Parliament extend his tenure by 90 days and further declared a state of emergency.

ECOWAS however sent troops to the country to enforce rule of law in The Gambia.

Barrow will struggle if military ousts Jammeh – MFWA

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) had earlier observed that The Gambia’s president-elect Adama Barrow will struggle to govern, if embattled President Yahya Jammeh is forcefully ejected by military assembled by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to the foundation, a lot of lives might also be lost.

Mr. Jammeh, whose mandate per the Gambia’s constitution should have ended at midnight on Wednesday, had that mandate extended by Parliament by 90 days.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to the foundation, a lot of lives might also be lost.

Mr. Jammeh, whose mandate per the Gambia’s constitution should have ended at midnight on Wednesday, had that mandate extended by Parliament by 90 days.

[contextly_sidebar id=”KeV69UJW0H8SVlQAjLbwnDzUcCj8myrS”]Meanwhile, following failed efforts by ECOWAS to have Mr. Jammeh to step down after losing the elections organized in December 2016, the sub-regional bloc has sent troops to Gambia to ensure the restoration of rule of law.

But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, the Executive Director of MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, explained that lives might be lost through military intervention.

“I will say that at this stage, it may not be the appropriate thing to do to intervene militarily to remove Jammeh…The Gambia has a military force of about 2,500 people…beyond that, I don’t think in terms of fire power they are that strong, so they can easily be defeated, but that wouldn’t mean that they wouldn’t resist. Resisting would mean that some innocent lives will be lost, infrastructure will be destroyed and even if Adama Barrow were to be put in as president he is going to face a very difficult situation,” he added.

Mr. Sulemana also explained that, The Gambia which has a population of about 1.9 million who rally along ethnic lines even in politics.

According to him, due to this situation, the ethnic group where Jammeh belongs to might revolt against the new president if there is any military intervention.

“The Gambia is a small country of about 1.9 million people, they are very well bonded around ethnic groups…and these ethnicity and bonding around ethnic lines are quite strong. And politics in the Gambia over the years has also been around ethnic lines. If you follow development from the international and regional media, there were so many people who were still demonstrating on the streets and social media against what ECOWAS was trying to do…and I think that if Jammeh were to be forcefully removed, the population will be divided and Adama Barrow will have a very difficult situation,” he noted.

Gambia: Barrow to be inaugurated in Senegal

Adama Barrow took to twitter to announce that his inauguration will be held at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

“I would like to inform you that the Inauguration Ceremony is going to take place at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal,” he announced.

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

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Barrow took to his twitter handle to make the announcement to his followers and the rest of the world who have keenly followed developments in Gambia following the refusal of President Yahya Jammeh to hand over power, despite losing the election in December 2016.

“I would like to inform you that the Inauguration Ceremony is going to take place at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal,” he announced.

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

A journalist with the Standard Newspaper in Gambia, Sekous Kale earlier told Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show that“pursuant to the Gambia’s constitution, Adama’s inauguration cannot be put to a halt.”

“Adama will be inaugurated but what we don’t know is whether Adama will be inaugurated at the independence stadium as planned,” he added.

Jammeh tenure expires

Jammeh’s tenure which expired at midnight on Wednesday was earlier extended by 90 days by Gambia’s Parliament.

A state of emergency has also been declared in the country.

Barrow stays in Senegal

President-elect Adama Barrow has been living in Senegal for the past few days following a request by West African leaders after a summit in Mali.

Several talks between Jammeh, ECOWAS and AU leaders in a bid to have him step down failed.

ECOWAS troops head to Gambia

ECOWAS troops from Nigeria, Ghana and neigbouring countries have however been deployed to Gambia to ensure that rule of law prevails in that country.

Ghana and Nigeria have so far deployed 205 and 200 military personnel respectively.

Why is Mr Jammeh refusing to leave office?

The Gambia regularly held elections, which he won until last year. Mr Jammeh had said there were irregularities in the election process, including the turning away of some of his supporters from polling stations, and errors made by the Electoral Commission.

The Commission accepted that some of the results it initially published contained errors, but said Mr Barrow had still won. Mr Jammeh has said he will stay in office until new elections are held.

Retaining power would have ensured he was not prosecuted in The Gambia for alleged abuses committed during his rule. The US state department urged Mr Jammeh to peacefully transfer power to Mr Barrow on Thursday.

“Doing so would allow him to leave office with his head held high and to protect The Gambian people from potential chaos,” spokesman John Kirby said.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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