Gambia’s new president marks inauguration as nation cheers

Bakau // Thousands of supporters gathered on Saturday to finally celebrate the inauguration of Gambian President Adama Barrow, a month after he was sworn in across the border in Senegal during a tense power struggle.

February 18 is also the anniversary of The Gambia’s independence from Britain, but many are also calling the day the birth of a third republic following the ousting of Yahya Jammeh at the ballot box.

Several heads of state attended the event, a chance for Gambians to witness a swearing-in that echoed the official one a month ago.

Mr Barrow told crowds that he would investigate human rights abuses under Mr Jammeh’s despotic rule spanning 22 years.

He said “a human rights commission will be established without delay” to track people who were missing or had disappeared ­after being arrested.

“Orders have already been given for all those detained without trial to be released,” he said.

International pressure, including the threat of a regional military intervention, led Jammeh to finally accept his December election loss and fly into exile in Equatorial Guinea. Hundreds of thousands of Gambians welcomed Mr Barrow’s return to Gambia days later.

Mr Barrow, who has just turned 52 and was born the year that Gambia gained independence, has pledged to reverse many of the actions Jammeh took during more than two decades of power. He has committed to stay in the International Criminal Court and rejoin the Commonwealth. He also has vowed to free political prisoners.

The international community has quickly warmed to Mr Barrow’s approach, with the European Union recently announcing an US$80 million (Dh294m) package of support after breaking off assistance amid tensions with Jammeh.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited Mr Barrow on Tuesday, saying: “We are here to help.”

Mr Barrow arrived at Independence Stadium on Saturday to fanfare, waving from his vehicle in flowing white robes.

Gambians also cheered Independent Electoral Commission chairman Alieu Momarr Njai, who had to flee to Senegal during the political crisis after standing by the election results.

Senegal’s president Macky Sall was among the honorary guests at the ceremony protected by troops from the West African bloc, Ecowas. The regional force has been securing the country during the transition, which has remained peaceful.

Mr Sall said Gambia and Senegal, a regional power that surrounds the tiny country except for its coast, must strengthen economic and other relations. Many Senegalese live in Gambia.

“We are the same people, and we remain the same people,” he said.

Others attending included the heads of state of Ghana, Liberia and Ivory Coast and the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

*Associated Press and Agence France-Presse