Banjul, Gambia | AFP | The head of a West African force maintaining security in The Gambia told AFP Friday that army officials loyal to veteran former leader Yahya Jammeh were plotting against the new government. West African troops were first sent to The Gambia in January to compel Jammeh to …
Read More »West African troops extend Gambia mission for a year
Monrovia, Liberia | AFP | The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it has extended the mandate of its military mission in The Gambia. The force, consisting mainly of soldiers from neighbouring Senegal, was first sent to the small country in January to compel longstanding president Yahya Jammeh …
Read More »One dead after Gambian protesters clash with ECOWAS troops
Banjul, Gambia | AFP | A Gambian protester died of gunshot wounds Saturday, the day after being shot as supporters of former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh clashed with West African forces. Gambian information minister, Demba Ali Jawo, told AFP that a group of people had protested on Friday in Jammeh’s …
Read More »Why Kenya lost fight for AU top job
And why East Africa lost more over outdated voting habits at continental body As the heads of state and government of the African Union meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, started voting on Jan. 30 for the next head of the continental body, Kenya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amina …
Read More »COMMENT: Lessons from Gambia
COMMENT: By Chris Saunders & Henning Melber What southern Africa can learn from West Africa about dealing with despots? Has the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) just taught the Southern African Development Community (SADC) a lesson? The West African states effectively took a dictator to task after he …
Read More »Jammeh leaves state coffers empty
Following months of crisis, Gambia’s ruler of 22 years Yahya Jammeh finally left the country on the night of Jan.21. He had earlier refused to concede defeat in a Dec.01 election but eventually relinquished power after members of the West African bloc ECOWAS launched a military operation on him shortly …
Read More »Gambia’s Jammeh asked to vacate sit
West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Jan.14 asked Gambia’s long time leader Yahya Jammeh to step down ahead of Jan.19 inauguration. According to International media reports ECOWAS has announced that if Jammeh does not cede power it will consider military intervention and has already prepared a standby force led …
Read More »GAMBIA: Jammeh’s finally gone
Gambia’s Jammeh leaves power after 22 years Banjul, Gambia | AFP | Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh flew out Saturday from the country he ruled for 22 years to cede power to President Adama Barrow and end a political crisis. Jammeh refused to step down after a December 1 election …
Read More »ECOWAS troops enter Gambia, give Jammeh up to midday to leave
African forces suspend operation in Gambia for final talks Dakar, Senegal | AFP | Long-ruling Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh, who lost elections last month, has until midday Friday to hand over power and agree to leave the country or face military action, regional bloc ECOWAS has said. West African troops …
Read More »Gambia army chief celebrating on street with Barrow supporters
Banjul, Gambia | AFP | Gambians including the country’s army chief took to the streets on Thursday in scenes of wild celebration after President Adama Barrow was inaugurated in neighbouring Senegal. Young men shouted and sang while hanging out of cars, and children danced with their mothers on main roads …
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