This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-38755897
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Gambia's new President Adama Barrow arrives home | Gambia's new President Adama Barrow arrives home |
(35 minutes later) | |
Gambia's President Adama Barrow has returned to the country to assume power - days after his predecessor Yahya Jammeh left to go into exile. | Gambia's President Adama Barrow has returned to the country to assume power - days after his predecessor Yahya Jammeh left to go into exile. |
President Barrow's plane touched down at Banjul airport where jubilant crowds waited to welcome him. After landing, he tweeted: "I'm finally home #Gambia." | President Barrow's plane touched down at Banjul airport where jubilant crowds waited to welcome him. After landing, he tweeted: "I'm finally home #Gambia." |
Mr Barrow, who has been in neighbouring Senegal, won elections in December. | Mr Barrow, who has been in neighbouring Senegal, won elections in December. |
However a handover was stalled when Mr Jammeh, Gambia's president of 22 years, refused to step aside. | However a handover was stalled when Mr Jammeh, Gambia's president of 22 years, refused to step aside. |
He left for exile at the weekend after mediation by regional leaders and the threat of military intervention. | He left for exile at the weekend after mediation by regional leaders and the threat of military intervention. |
Mr Barrow, dressed in white robes and a cap, stepped off the plane in Banjul as heavily armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria stood by. | Mr Barrow, dressed in white robes and a cap, stepped off the plane in Banjul as heavily armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria stood by. |
Overhead, a fighter jet from the West African force guaranteeing the new president's security performed fly-pasts. | |
He was sworn in as president at the Gambian embassy in Senegal a week ago, but a public inauguration on home soil is planned soon, aides say. | He was sworn in as president at the Gambian embassy in Senegal a week ago, but a public inauguration on home soil is planned soon, aides say. |
Earlier, Mr Barrow, 51, said he expected a "big, big welcome" when he arrived back in Banjul. | Earlier, Mr Barrow, 51, said he expected a "big, big welcome" when he arrived back in Banjul. |
He told the International Business Times UK: "I think it will be the biggest in the history of our country." | He told the International Business Times UK: "I think it will be the biggest in the history of our country." |
He added that he was "very excited" after the "very difficult transition". | He added that he was "very excited" after the "very difficult transition". |
The president is being accompanied by the UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed ibn Chambas. He has said the UN will help uphold security in The Gambia. | The president is being accompanied by the UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed ibn Chambas. He has said the UN will help uphold security in The Gambia. |
Several thousand West African soldiers remain in The Gambia amid reports that rogue pro-Jammeh elements are embedded in the country's security forces. | Several thousand West African soldiers remain in The Gambia amid reports that rogue pro-Jammeh elements are embedded in the country's security forces. |
The West African force had threatened to drive Mr Jammeh from office if he did not agree to go. | The West African force had threatened to drive Mr Jammeh from office if he did not agree to go. |
The new president has asked for the force to remain in The Gambia for six months. | The new president has asked for the force to remain in The Gambia for six months. |
A new inauguration will be organised soon at the national stadium in Banjul, his spokesman Halifa Sallah said. | A new inauguration will be organised soon at the national stadium in Banjul, his spokesman Halifa Sallah said. |
"It will be an occasion to show strength. Everyone will be invited. The president will address his people,'' he told Senegalese radio. | "It will be an occasion to show strength. Everyone will be invited. The president will address his people,'' he told Senegalese radio. |
Mr Jammeh, who was a 29-year-old army lieutenant when he came to power in a 1994 coup, had refused to accept the results of the December election. | Mr Jammeh, who was a 29-year-old army lieutenant when he came to power in a 1994 coup, had refused to accept the results of the December election. |
After his departure, reports emerged that more than $11m (£8.8m) had disappeared from The Gambia's state coffers. | After his departure, reports emerged that more than $11m (£8.8m) had disappeared from The Gambia's state coffers. |
However a presidential adviser said the police had been asked to investigate and would determine if anything was missing. | However a presidential adviser said the police had been asked to investigate and would determine if anything was missing. |
Mr Jammeh has not commented on the allegations. | Mr Jammeh has not commented on the allegations. |
In other developments, parliament has cancelled the state of emergency declared by Mr Jammeh last week. It also revoked legislation that would have extended its life for a further 90 days. | In other developments, parliament has cancelled the state of emergency declared by Mr Jammeh last week. It also revoked legislation that would have extended its life for a further 90 days. |
Quick facts: Adama Barrow | Quick facts: Adama Barrow |