Jubilant Gambians on Thursday welcomed home their new President Adama Barrow, who was elected almost two months ago but forced to flee to Senegal when his predecessor refused to step aside.

Dressed in flowing white robes and cap, Barrow stepped off the plane, with heavily-armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria standing by as he flew in from Dakar where he had taken shelter on January 15.

Barrow, who was accompanied by his two wives and some of his children, was welcomed by&nbsp;military officials and senior members of his coalition government.

His return marks The&nbsp;Gambia&#39;s first democratic transfer of power and capped days of waiting in the tiny former British colony until finally longtime leader Yahya Jammeh stepped down and left the country after having refused to recognise the result of the December 1 election.

&quot;I&#39;m a happy man today. It was part of the struggle and I think the bad part is finished now,&quot; Barrow told journalists in Banjul.

&quot;I will get my cabinet in place and then get the ball rolling,&quot; he added.

Barrow took the oath of office at his country&#39;s embassy in Dakar a week ago and a multinational African force then entered The&nbsp;Gambia&nbsp;to ensure his safe return home and Jammeh&#39;s departure.

Hundreds gathered at the airport awaiting Barrow&#39;s arrival, with drummers and dancers firing up the crowds as Nigerian and Senegalese soldiers looked on.

&quot;He will develop this country! He&#39;s good, not a killer,&quot; said Barrow supporter Adja Kombeh.

Gambians have said they were looking forward to their freedom after two decades of Jammeh&#39;s iron-fisted rule.

&#39;He will be different&#39;

&quot;I&#39;m 100 percent a Barrow supporter and I&#39;m more happy than I can say,&quot; said Kanamo Sansou, sitting with his friends at Serrekunda market close to the capital Banjul.&nbsp;

&quot;He will be different in all aspects... we have been living under dictatorship for 22 years,&quot; added pensioner Ibrahima Gaye.

&quot;You can go home at night and sleep without worrying you will be arrested before daybreak,&quot; he said.

Barrow had not been seen in public since his swearing-in and has yet to publicly address Gambians.

Diplomats had urged Barrow to return quickly to curb the impact of the political crisis on the tourism-reliant economy, already in a fragile state.

The UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who briefed the Security Council on The&nbsp;Gambia, stressed that the United Nations was working to bolster stability.

He also hailed the &quot;historic moment&quot; of Barrow&#39;s presidency and the role of the international community.

&quot;When the international community speaks with one voice, in support of democracy, in support of a credible, transparent electoral process, we can always have a good result,&quot; he said.

Barrow will be staying at his own residence until further notice while State House, Jammeh&#39;s former seat of power, is assessed for potential risks.

His first job is to deal with an internal crisis after it emerged his choice for vice president, Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, may be constitutionally too old for the role.

Immunity for Jammeh?

Around 4,000 west African troops remain in The&nbsp;Gambia&nbsp;charged with ensuring safety, as it is believed rogue pro-Jammeh elements remain in the security forces that were once under his personal control.

&quot;President Adama Barrow has asked us to remain for two or three weeks to see if there are arms caches or mercenaries hiding out,&quot; said Marcel Alain de Souza, head of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commission.

Jammeh left the country on Saturday and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea under threat of a regional military intervention.

The authorities have accused the former strongman of plundering state coffers and making off with $11 million (10 million euros).

Jammeh&#39;s former interior minister Ousman Sonko was arrested in Switzerland on Thursday as he is under investigation for possible crimes against humanity during the ex-strongman&#39;s regime.

But Barrow has told Jammeh he will have all the rights legally ensured to an ex-president, which under Gambian law include immunity from prosecution, barring a vote by two-thirds of the national assembly.

However Chambas said there was nothing in the UN-backed agreement that paved the way for Jammeh&#39;s departure that gave him immunity.

(AFP)

His return marks The?Gambia's first democratic transfer of power after longtime leader Jammeh finally stepped down and left the country

Jubilant Gambians on Thursday welcomed home their new President Adama Barrow, who was elected almost two months ago but forced to flee to Senegal when his predecessor refused to step aside. Dressed in flowing white robes and cap, Barrow stepped off the plane, with heavily-armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria standing by as he flew in from Dakar where he had taken shelter on January 15. Barrow, who was accompanied by his two wives and some of his children, was welcomed by military officials and senior members of his coalition government. His return marks The Gambia's first democratic transfer of power and capped days of waiting in the tiny former British colony until finally longtime leader Yahya Jammeh stepped down and left the country after having refused to recognise the result of the December 1 election. "I'm a happy man today. It was part of the struggle and I think the bad part is finished now," Barrow told journalists in Banjul. "I will get my cabinet in place and then get the ball rolling," he added. Barrow took the oath of office at his country's embassy in Dakar a week ago and a multinational African force then entered The Gambia to ensure his safe return home and Jammeh's departure. Hundreds gathered at the airport awaiting Barrow's arrival, with drummers and dancers firing up the crowds as Nigerian and Senegalese soldiers looked on. "He will develop this country! He's good, not a killer," said Barrow supporter Adja Kombeh. Gambians have said they were looking forward to their freedom after two decades of Jammeh's iron-fisted rule. 'He will be different' "I'm 100 percent a Barrow supporter and I'm more happy than I can say," said Kanamo Sansou, sitting with his friends at Serrekunda market close to the capital Banjul. "He will be different in all aspects... we have been living under dictatorship for 22 years," added pensioner Ibrahima Gaye. "You can go home at night and sleep without worrying you will be arrested before daybreak," he said. Barrow had not been seen in public since his swearing-in and has yet to publicly address Gambians. Diplomats had urged Barrow to return quickly to curb the impact of the political crisis on the tourism-reliant economy, already in a fragile state. The UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who briefed the Security Council on The Gambia, stressed that the United Nations was working to bolster stability. He also hailed the "historic moment" of Barrow's presidency and the role of the international community. "When the international community speaks with one voice, in support of democracy, in support of a credible, transparent electoral process, we can always have a good result," he said. Barrow will be staying at his own residence until further notice while State House, Jammeh's former seat of power, is assessed for potential risks. His first job is to deal with an internal crisis after it emerged his choice for vice president, Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, may be constitutionally too old for the role. Immunity for Jammeh? Around 4,000 west African troops remain in The Gambia charged with ensuring safety, as it is believed rogue pro-Jammeh elements remain in the security forces that were once under his personal control. "President Adama Barrow has asked us to remain for two or three weeks to see if there are arms caches or mercenaries hiding out," said Marcel Alain de Souza, head of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commission. Jammeh left the country on Saturday and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea under threat of a regional military intervention. The authorities have accused the former strongman of plundering state coffers and making off with $11 million (10 million euros). Jammeh's former interior minister Ousman Sonko was arrested in Switzerland on Thursday as he is under investigation for possible crimes against humanity during the ex-strongman's regime. But Barrow has told Jammeh he will have all the rights legally ensured to an ex-president, which under Gambian law include immunity from prosecution, barring a vote by two-thirds of the national assembly. However Chambas said there was nothing in the UN-backed agreement that paved the way for Jammeh's departure that gave him immunity. (AFP)

New president Adama Barrow returns to Gambia amid fanfare

Senegalese troops entered The Gambia on Thursday in support of its new President Adama Barrow, who took office demanding loyalty from his own armed forces in a tense standoff with his defeated rival.

Barrow was sworn in at The Gambia&#39;s embassy in Dakar, although longtime leader Yahya Jammeh has refused to step down despite international pressure following his December election loss.

Celebrations erupted in the Gambian capital, which has been on edge over the crisis in the former British colony in west Africa.

Dressed all in white, 51-year-old Barrow waved to crowds at the ceremony that anointed him, seeking to end the 22-year rule of Jammeh, who has not been seen but is believed to be still in Banjul.

&quot;This is a victory of the Gambian nation. Our flag will now fly high among those of the most democratic nations of the world,&quot; he said.

Shortly after the inauguration, the UN Security Council unanimously backed efforts by the regional bloc ECOWAS to force Jammeh to hand over power, without formally authorising military action.

&quot;I command the chief of defence staff and officers of high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as commander in chief without any delay,&quot; Barrow said at his inauguration.

&quot;I command all members of the armed forces to remain in their barracks, those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my order will be considered rebels.&quot;

Britain was among foreign powers to congratulate the new president.

Barrow, an opposition coalition candidate, defeated Jammeh, who had ruled the former British colony since taking power in a coup in 1994, in a surprise election win on December 1.

Jubilation for Barrow voters

Troops from Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria readied for a possible intervention against Jammeh, whose mandate expired at midnight Wednesday.

A Senegalese army spokesman confirmed his country&#39;s troops had crossed the border, &nbsp;after Nigerian jets overflew The Gambia.

Shops had stayed shuttered and streets were quiet in and around the capital Banjul before the inauguration. Tour operators had continued to evacuate hundreds more tourists from the tiny country&#39;s popular beach resorts.

But Barrow supporters on Thursday evening took to the streets of Banjul, where soldiers were seen but did not intervene.

&quot;For the last 22 years we were living under a state of dictatorship,&quot; Corra Kah said in a suburb of Banjul as he watched the inauguration. &quot;Now we are free&quot;.

In off the cuff remarks, army chief Ousman Badjie insisted his soldiers would not get involved in a &quot;political dispute&quot; or prevent foreign forces from entering the west African nation.

Barrow, a real-estate agent turned politician, flew to Senegal on January 15 after weeks of rising tension over Jammeh&#39;s stance.

The incumbent initially acknowledged Barrow as the victor but later rejected the result.

He then attempted to block Barrow&#39;s inauguration with a court ruling and by declaring a state of emergency this week.

A senior member of Barrow&#39;s opposition coalition, Isatou Touray, welcomed the army chief&#39;s declaration.

&quot;That&#39;s a very positive outlook from him, given that Jammeh&#39;s regime is done,&quot; Touray told AFP.&nbsp;

&quot;We don&#39;t have to risk the lives of innocent citizens.&quot;

In remarks at a hotel restaurant late Wednesday, Badjie said he loved his men and would not risk their lives in a &quot;stupid fight,&quot; witnesses said.&nbsp;

&#39;Really scary&#39;

Arriving back from The Gambia at Manchester airport in England, several passengers could be seen comforting a Gambian national and UK resident who had tried unsuccessfully to get his family out.

Ebrima Jajne described the situation as &quot;really scary for everybody... because this president (Jammeh) doesn&#39;t want to step down and people are fleeing.&quot;

Tourist Ralph Newton said local residents had done what they could to reassure visitors, despite the threat to themselves.

&quot;All the locals were just worried... They said it&#39;s a bad time for us but you&#39;ll be alright... It&#39;ll be us they come for, if they come for anybody.&quot;

After 11th-hour talks in Banjul, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz held a meeting with Barrow also attended by Senegal&#39;s President Macky Sall, the private RFM radio station reported.

It was not clear whether the Mauritanian leader had secured a deal or made an asylum offer to Jammeh.&nbsp;

The last-minute intervention came after several unsuccessful attempts at diplomacy by the 15-nation Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mauritania is not part of ECOWAS and diplomats have previously reached out to the conservative desert nation in hopes of brokering a deal with Jammeh.

(AFP)

Dressed all in white, 51-year-old Barrow waved to crowds at the ceremony that anointed him, seeking to end the 22-year rule of Jammeh

Senegalese troops entered The Gambia on Thursday in support of its new President Adama Barrow, who took office demanding loyalty from his own armed forces in a tense standoff with his defeated rival. Barrow was sworn in at The Gambia's embassy in Dakar, although longtime leader Yahya Jammeh has refused to step down despite international pressure following his December election loss. Celebrations erupted in the Gambian capital, which has been on edge over the crisis in the former British colony in west Africa. Dressed all in white, 51-year-old Barrow waved to crowds at the ceremony that anointed him, seeking to end the 22-year rule of Jammeh, who has not been seen but is believed to be still in Banjul. "This is a victory of the Gambian nation. Our flag will now fly high among those of the most democratic nations of the world," he said. Shortly after the inauguration, the UN Security Council unanimously backed efforts by the regional bloc ECOWAS to force Jammeh to hand over power, without formally authorising military action. "I command the chief of defence staff and officers of high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as commander in chief without any delay," Barrow said at his inauguration. "I command all members of the armed forces to remain in their barracks, those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my order will be considered rebels." Britain was among foreign powers to congratulate the new president. Barrow, an opposition coalition candidate, defeated Jammeh, who had ruled the former British colony since taking power in a coup in 1994, in a surprise election win on December 1. Jubilation for Barrow voters Troops from Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria readied for a possible intervention against Jammeh, whose mandate expired at midnight Wednesday. A Senegalese army spokesman confirmed his country's troops had crossed the border, after Nigerian jets overflew The Gambia. Shops had stayed shuttered and streets were quiet in and around the capital Banjul before the inauguration. Tour operators had continued to evacuate hundreds more tourists from the tiny country's popular beach resorts. But Barrow supporters on Thursday evening took to the streets of Banjul, where soldiers were seen but did not intervene. "For the last 22 years we were living under a state of dictatorship," Corra Kah said in a suburb of Banjul as he watched the inauguration. "Now we are free". In off the cuff remarks, army chief Ousman Badjie insisted his soldiers would not get involved in a "political dispute" or prevent foreign forces from entering the west African nation. Barrow, a real-estate agent turned politician, flew to Senegal on January 15 after weeks of rising tension over Jammeh's stance. The incumbent initially acknowledged Barrow as the victor but later rejected the result. He then attempted to block Barrow's inauguration with a court ruling and by declaring a state of emergency this week. A senior member of Barrow's opposition coalition, Isatou Touray, welcomed the army chief's declaration. "That's a very positive outlook from him, given that Jammeh's regime is done," Touray told AFP. "We don't have to risk the lives of innocent citizens." In remarks at a hotel restaurant late Wednesday, Badjie said he loved his men and would not risk their lives in a "stupid fight," witnesses said. 'Really scary' Arriving back from The Gambia at Manchester airport in England, several passengers could be seen comforting a Gambian national and UK resident who had tried unsuccessfully to get his family out. Ebrima Jajne described the situation as "really scary for everybody... because this president (Jammeh) doesn't want to step down and people are fleeing." Tourist Ralph Newton said local residents had done what they could to reassure visitors, despite the threat to themselves. "All the locals were just worried... They said it's a bad time for us but you'll be alright... It'll be us they come for, if they come for anybody." After 11th-hour talks in Banjul, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz held a meeting with Barrow also attended by Senegal's President Macky Sall, the private RFM radio station reported. It was not clear whether the Mauritanian leader had secured a deal or made an asylum offer to Jammeh. The last-minute intervention came after several unsuccessful attempts at diplomacy by the 15-nation Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS). Mauritania is not part of ECOWAS and diplomats have previously reached out to the conservative desert nation in hopes of brokering a deal with Jammeh. (AFP)

Senegal troops move into Gambia in support of Barrow

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New president Adama Barrow returns to Gambia amid fanfare

Senegal troops move into Gambia in support of Barrow