UN assures Gambian President Barrow of full support

The United Nations today (January19, 2016) assured Mr. Adama Barrow, newly sworn- in President of The Gambia of the full support of the world body.

This was after the Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres called on the new Gambian leader to congratulate him on the latter's inauguration into office and to discuss the latest development in the country.

The Secretary General assured President Barrow of his "full support for his determination, and ECOWAS’s historic decision, with the unanimous backing of the Security Council, to restore the rule of law in The Gambia so as to honour and respect the will of the Gambian people".

A statement issued at the UN headquarters in New York by the Secretary-General further expressed deep concern about the refusal of the former President Yahya Jammeh to step aside and about the high outflow of Gambians into Senegal.

The Secretary-General conveyed the readiness of the United Nations system to support President Barrow and his government in their efforts to promote democracy and achieve sustainable development in The Gambia.

Adama Barrow was sworn-in as Gambian President today at the Gambia Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. This follows the refusal of Yahya Jammeh to concede defeat and hand over power to him.

At his inauguration President Barrow appealed to the ECOWAS, African Union, UN,and particularly the Security Council to help oust Jammeh and enforce the will of the Gambians and restore constitutional order.