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Gambia crisis: Senegal troops enter to back new president Gambia crisis: Senegal sends in troops to back elected leader
(about 1 hour later)
Senegalese troops have entered The Gambia to ensure Adama Barrow assumes power as the country's new president, a Senegalese army spokesman has said. Senegalese troops have entered The Gambia in support of Adama Barrow, who was sworn in as president on Thursday after winning last month's election.
It comes shortly after Mr Barrow took the oath of office at The Gambia's embassy in the capital of Senegal. Mr Barrow took the oath of office at the Gambian embassy in Senegal's capital, Dakar, and his legitimacy has been recognised internationally.
He has been recognised internationally. But strongman Yahya Jammeh has refused to quit and is backed by parliament. But the strongman he defeated, Yahya Jammeh, is refusing to quit and is supported by Gambia's parliament.
West African leaders have threatened to remove Mr Jammeh by force. The UN has backed their support for Mr Barrow. West African leaders have threatened to remove him by force if necessary.
The 15-member Security Council stressed on Thursday that this should be pursued "by political means first". The 15-member UN Security Council has given them its backing, while stressing that a political solution should be attempted 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 deployed reconnaissance aircraft over The Gambia on Thursday as part of the mission, warning that it was ready to strike militarily.
Nigeria said earlier in the day that its "armed reconnaissance air force are over Gambia", AFP reports. The tiny country, a popular destination for European holidaymakers attracted by its beaches, has been clouded by uncertainty for weeks.
"They have the capacity to strike," Nigerian Air Force spokesman Ayodele Famuyiwa told the news agency. Thousands of Gambians have sought refuge in Senegal while tourists broke off their holidays to return home.
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.
At the scene - Thomas Fessy, BBC News, Banjul, The GambiaAt the scene - Thomas Fessy, BBC News, Banjul, The Gambia
People have been following the inauguration of Adama Barrow live on Senegalese TV, which many receive here in The Gambia.People have been following the inauguration of Adama Barrow live on Senegalese TV, which many receive here in The Gambia.
Few people have come out to celebrate, timidly chanting the name of Mr Barrow or waving at the cars driving by. Few people have come out to celebrate, timidly chanting the name of Mr Barrow or waving at the cars driving by. Tension is still running high, as people are very much aware that the political crisis is not over.
Tension is still running high, as people are very much aware that the political crisis is not over. Banjul feels like a ghost town. Even the usually busy thoroughfares of Serekunda, on the outskirt of the capital, are deserted. Many say the military remain - like Yayha Jammeh - unpredictable.
Banjul feels like a ghost town. Even the usually busy thoroughfares of Serekunda, on the outskirt of the capital, are deserted. But in a sign that parts of the security forces may switch sides, I have met five police officers standing outside their station, relaxed and visibly happy. I asked how things were going, and one of them replied with a smile "everything is alright, change is good".
Many say the military remain - like Yayha Jammeh - unpredictable. How dangerous is the situation?
But in a sign that parts of the security forces may switch sides, I have met five police officers standing outside their station, relaxed and visibly happy. A convoy of heavily armed Senegalese soldiers, in full battle dress, could be seen heading for the Gambian border.
I asked how things were going, and one of them replied with a smile "everything is alright, change is good." They are backed by Nigerian air and naval power, as well as other troops from Ghana.
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. A Senegalese army spokesman, Col Abdou Ndiaye, told the BBC that the troops had encountered no resistance and were heading for Banjul.
Gambian Information Minister Sidie Njie told the BBC on Thursday that Mr Jammeh would not leave his office. He warned: "It is already war. If we find any resistance, we will fight it. If there are people who are fighting for the former president, we will fight them. The main goal is to restore democracy and to allow the new elected president to take over."
But Gambian army chief Ousman Badjie said his troops would not fight Senegalese forces because the dispute was "political".
"I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight," he said. "I love my men."
In his inaugural speech, President Barrow ordered all members of The Gambia's armed forces to remain in their barracks.
Any found found illegally bearing arms would be considered "rebels", he said.
Why is Mr Jammeh refusing to go?
After first accepting defeat he 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 has said he will stay in office until new elections are held.
Retaining power would also ensure him against prosecution for alleged abuses committed during his rule.
How great is the pressure to remove him?
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) mandated Senegal to take the lead in outside intervention because it almost surrounds The Gambia.
The Ecowas strategy was approved by the UN Security Council which unanimously approved a resolution expressing "full support" for President Barrow and calling on Mr Jammeh to step down.
"I think events will move quickly now," Alex Vines, head of the Africa programme at Chatham House in London, told the Associated Press.
"Jammeh will not last 90 days remaining in power. He may cling on to power for a few more days, increasingly isolated. After the inauguration of Adama Barrow, the trickle of power flowing to him will become more of a flood."