Yahya Jammeh, former president of Gambia has left Banjul, the capital to begin an indefinite term in exile. He left just after 10.00pm for Conakry, along with President Alpha Conde.
To rub his large ego, he was given a full ceremonial honour by the military brass band and a red carpet treatment. According to a journalist who witnessed the departure, some of his aides wept openly on the tarmac, while “others outside are still celebrating”.
His departure was confirmed by President Adama Barrow, now waiting in Dakar, Senegal to return home and start his government of ‘inclusiveness’ and transparency as he promised on Saturday.
“I would like to inform you that the 2nd President of the Republic of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh has left Gambia. #Gambia“, Barrow tweeted at about 10pm Nigerian time.
Signs of Jammeh’s exit came at about 9pm Nigerian time, when one of the journalists keeping vigil, tweeted:
“The #Gambia military brass band is here @ the airport. The red carpet has been rolled out. Yahya Jammeh should be on his way.”
Jammeh has since landed in Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea to begin a life in exile.
He left Banjul on Saturday night after stepping down under pressure from West African nations to accept that he lost a December election to President Adama Barrow.
His exit ends rising tension as thousands of troops from Senegal and Nigeria who entered the tiny country on Thursday were poised to swoop on the capital Banjul.
It also paves the way for the return home of Barrow, who was sworn in as leader at the Gambian embassy in Senegal on Thursday.
