DAKAR, Senegal (AP) – Gambia’s president-elect said Thursday he will be sworn into office at the Gambian embassy in neighboring Senegal, while there was no word from longtime leader Yahya Jammeh on the day that his mandate expired.
The Facebook and Twitter accounts for Adama Barrow, run by his staff, said his inauguration would take place Thursday at 4 p.m. in Gambia’s embassy in Senegal’s capital, Dakar.
Senior members of Barrow’s political coalition could not be immediately reached to provide details of the ceremony.
Barrow won the December election, defeating Jammeh, who came to power in a coup in 1994. Jammeh initially conceded defeat but then changed his mind and said he would not accept the results, saying the election was marred by irregularities.
Jammeh has resisted strong international pressure for him to step down and allow Barrow to take office and allow a peaceful resolution to Gambia’s crisis. His mandate expired at midnight, and troops from Senegal and other West African countries have positioned themselves on Gambia’s border with the intention of forcing Jammeh out if he doesn’t agree to leave.