The Gambia gets ready for its president, Adama Barrow, to return
Barrow was sworn in as the new head of state last week at the Gambian embassy in neighbouring Senegal, and has put off his return over fears for his safety
Banjul — The Gambia on Monday awaited the arrival of President Adama Barrow, as his team said former strongman Yahya Jammeh plundered the nation’s coffers before going into exile. Barrow, who was sworn in as the new head of state on January 19 at his country’s embassy in neighbouring Senegal, has put off his return over fears for his safety. His team refused to confirm to AFP on Monday exactly when he expected to return. An aide to Barrow meanwhile accused Jammeh of emptying the state’s coffers by plundering millions of dollars in his final days in power. "Over two weeks, over 500-million dalasi ($11m) were withdrawn" by Jammeh, Mai Fatty said. "As we take over, the government of The Gambia is in financial distress." "The coffers are largely empty." After 22 years of iron-fisted rule, Jammeh refused to recognise the result of a December 1 election won by Barrow, triggering a weeks-long political crisis. But under the threat of a regional military intervention, he chose exile in Equa...
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