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World|politics|January 20, 2017 / 09:45 AM
Senegal sends troops into Gambia to force longtime leader to step down

AKIPRESS.COM - 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, BBC reported.

Mr Barrow took the oath of office at the Gambian embassy in Senegal's capital, Dakar, and his legitimacy has been recognised internationally.

The West African regional bloc Ecowas has now given Yahya Jammeh until noon on Friday to leave office.

Ecowas has threatened to remove Mr Jammeh by force.

The 15-member UN Security Council has given them its backing, while stressing that a political solution should be attempted first.

Mr Jammeh's refusal to leave office is supported by Gambia's parliament.

New mediation talks ahead of Friday's deadline will be led by Guinea's President Alpha Conde, after talks between Mr Jammeh and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz failed to break the deadlock late on Thursday.

Mr Barrow, who remains in Senegal, has said that he will not return to Gambia's capital, Banjul, until the military operation comes to an end.

Nigeria deployed reconnaissance aircraft over The Gambia on Thursday as part of the mission, warning that it was ready to strike militarily.

The tiny country, a popular destination for European holidaymakers attracted by its beaches, has been clouded by uncertainty for weeks.

Thousands of Gambians have sought refuge in Senegal while tourists broke off their holidays to return home.

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