The
Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) said it has extended the
mandate of its military mission in The Gambia.
The
force, consisting mainly of soldiers from neighbouring Senegal, was first sent
to the small country in January to compel longstanding president Yahya Jammeh
to relinquish power to his elected successor Adama Barrow.
At
a weekend summit in the Liberian capital Monrovia, the 15-nation body commended
the “crucial role” played by the mission in keeping The Gambia secure but
leaders took note of “the fragile situation” in the country and extended the
mission for 12 months.
They
also broadened the mandate of the force known as ECOMIG to include support for
training Gambian armed forces and urged other Ecowas members to contribute
additional troops.
Jammeh,
who came to power in 1996, initially conceded defeat to Barrow in the December
2016 election, but a week later the strongman changed his mind, claiming
abnormalities marred the poll result.
After
mediation by Guinea and Mauritania, strong regional pressure and the arrival of
Senegalese troops, Jammeh went into exile in Equatorial Guinea on January 21,
leaving the way clear for Barrow, but the departed ruler still enjoys a degree
of support.
National
dialogue and reconciliation
The
Ecowas statement issued overnight on Sunday made no mention of tension between
the foreign troops and Gambian protesters who have called them “an occupying
force”, notably in Jammeh’s native region about 100km east of the capital
Banjul.
After
a clash on Friday when ECOMIG troops faced a violent demonstration, one
protester died of gunshot wounds and several were injured, according to the
interior minister and details given by a local resident.
The
regional leaders urged Barrow to establish the required framework and mechanism
that will promote national dialogue and reconciliation, and render justice to
past injustices, and strict respect to international norms and principles.
The
Gambia is a sliver of land running across Senegalese territory from east to
west either side of the Gambia river with Banjul located on the broad estuary
giving on to the Atlantic.
Its
main exports include woven fabric, varieties of nuts and lumber, with small
amounts of minerals. Tourism is vital to the economy. Source: News25
