Adama Barrow, the man who won The Gambia’s disputed election, has been sworn in as president.
Barrow took the oath at the country’s embassy in Senegal.
He has been recognised internationally.
But Gambian strongman, Yahya Jammeh, has refused to step down and his term in office has been extended by parliament.
West African leaders have tried to persuade Jammeh to admit losing the election.
They have threatened to remove him by force.
Jammeh lost last month’s elections, but wants the results annulled, citing errors in the electoral process.
Barrow took oath at the Gambian embassy in Dakar.
Western ambassadors to Senegal attended the ceremony, while hundreds of Gambian expatriates gathered outside the compound.
West African military forces, stationed at the border, say they are ready to enforce a transfer of power in The Gambia, a popular beach destination among European holiday makers.
UN Security Council backing for intervention is being sought by Senegal and the regional bloc, Economic Community of West Africa States, but some diplomats said if Barrow, 51, requested help after his inauguration, such approval would not be needed.
Meanwhile, Jammeh’s term in office has been extended by a two-third majority in parliament, and some experts say he still has a legitimate claimed to be called the country’s president.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the family of James has abandoned him in Gambia in the face of imminent strike by ECOWAS forces.
The military team is already stationed in Senegal and ready to strike once given the go-ahead.
Trending
- I now know why Gov. Uba has been praising Tinubu — El-Rufai
- Surviving abroad marriage: My observations, by Tunde Asaju
- Why I dumped PDP – Nwoko; We won’t miss him — Commissioner
- Anambra: Three siblings killed, bodies dumped in deep freezer
- Telecom Tariff Hike: NLC suspends planned nationwide protest
- Mohbad: Naira Marley leaks private chat with Iyabo Ojo
- From Trump to Grammy blues, by Reuben Abati
- Ondo nurses suspend four-day-old indefinite strike