Why ECOWAS force still in Gambia after Jammeh”s exit – De Souza

The ECOWAS Commission president, Marcel de Souza, has said that the West African troops in the Gambia (ECOMIG) are still in the country to ensure the safety of the population and facilitate the assumption of office of the new President Adama Barrow. Jammeh, who refused to accept defeat in a December election, flew out of […]

The ECOWAS Commission president, Marcel de Souza, has said that the West African troops in the Gambia (ECOMIG) are still in the country to ensure the safety of the population and facilitate the assumption of office of the new President Adama Barrow.

Jammeh, who refused to accept defeat in a December election, flew out of Banjul late on Saturday en route to Equatorial Guinea after intense pressure and threat of military intervention.

West African troops entered Banjul, Gambia’s capital city on Sunday and took control of the presidential palace and other strategic locations.

Speaking in Abuja while briefing members of the Diplomatic Corps on the political situation in The Gambia, De Souza said ECOWAS does not have the intention of invading any country of member states.

In the process of resolving any political crisis, De Souza said ECOWAS must ensure that dialogue is completely exhausted for peaceful transfer of power, before considering military intervention, which, according to him, is considered as the last resort.

"The ECOWAS mission in the Gambia was misunderstood. It was said that since Yahya Jammeh had left the country, what is the force still doing there? The forces are not there to fire shots but to secure the situation," he said.

He said there were heavily-armed mercenaries in the country and this poses threat to the life of the President Barrow.

"We cannot allow Adama Barrow to move into the country in such a situation," he said, adding that the troops would be there for the situation to improve.

Barrow remains in neighbouring Senegal. Though De Souza did not mention when the new president would return to his country, he assured that ECOWAS would work quickly to facilitate his return.

While expressing satisfaction that there was no blood shed during the process, he however regretted that the resources meant for developmental projects in the sub-region were used to maintain peace in the Gambia.

During last minute negotiations, Jammeh had requested for immunity from prosecution in exchange for leaving the country.

De Souza said the request has not been validated by ECOWAS, African Union and United Nations. "They are under consideration," he added.