African leaders discuss Gambia as President Jammeh's deadline ends
Yahya Jammeh
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz met Jammeh for last-minute talks before flying to meet Senegal's President Macky Sall
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Azizmade a last attempt to talk and form a deal with Gambian President Yahya Jammeh to end the political dispute.
Aziz backed by the 15-nationEconomic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) then flew to Senegal to meet withPresident Macky Sall.
Aziz had been talking with Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow and Sall at the airport in Dakar. About 30 vehicles with tinted windows then sped away from where the talks took place, Reuters reported.
Gambian President Jammeh's term ended at midnight but he refused to step down despite losing theelection last month.
After weeks of failed diplomacy, west African states have been pushing Jammeh to vacate office and make way for Adama Barrow.
While Barrow maintains his inauguration will take place on Thursday, Jammeh remained in the country till 2330 GMT.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Iran uses 'dancing missile' Sejjil against US-Israel: What makes it different?
)
Dubai police warn of SIM swap scam as fraudsters target citizens posing as ‘Crisis Officials’ amid conflict
)
Indian Navy warships deployed near Persian Gulf, on standby to assist merchant vessels: Report
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Divine punishment in Iran': Why Mojtaba Khamenei’s secret amputation reports in Russia could legally end his reign
)
Your garbage, not mine: Thailand to return 284 tonnes of e-waste to America
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How long does a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder last in an Indian household?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Weapon will be used immediately...’: North Korea sends BIG message to US amid West Asia war, conducts drills with 600mm rocket launchers
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Netanyahu’s 'five finger' cafe video to quash death rumours sparks new AI claims; coffee shop shares PROOF he was there
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'The PM is...': Netanyahu’s office debunks 'fake news' over his whereabouts
)
Archaeologists find unexpected structure hiding for 2,000 years 7,000 feet high in Swiss Alps
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Lost one leg': Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei secretly flown to Russia for surgery, says report
)
India is unlikely to be part of any multinational coalition on Strait of Hormuz
)
'As a sincere friend...': China responds after Trump urges countries to send warships to secure Strait of Hormuz
Senegalese and Nigerian troopswere poised to move into The Gambia asJammeh's army chief said Gambian soldiers will not stop their entry.
Senegal army spokesman Colonel Abdou Ndiaye told AFP "Our troops are on alert... The ultimatum takes effect at midnight."
"If a political solution fails, we will engage."
Chief of Defence Staff, Ousman Badjie said "We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute."
"I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men," he added. "If they (Senegalese) come in, we are here like this," Badjie said.
(WION with inputs from agencies)