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26,000 flee Gambia to Senegal as refugees

Jammeh's mandate expires on Thursday, and Barrow - who is currently in Senegal - has pledged to go ahead with his inauguration on Thursday.

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The Gambia, following elections in 2016, is expected to inaugurate a new president on January 19, but President Jammeh who lost and earlier accepted the results of the elections has now rejected the results.

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Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994 when he was an army lieutenant and has ruled ever since, wining four elections, that were criticised by rights monitors, and surviving several coup attempts. International human rights groups accuse him of widespread violations and repression.

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Large numbers of tourists have fled their homes to neighbouring Senegal towards the borders amid a deepening political crisis.

President-elect of the Gambia, Adama Barrow said his inauguration would go ahead as planned in spite of attempts to thwart it by President Yahya Jammeh.

Adama Barrow will be inaugurated today, Thursday 19 January at the Gambian mission in neighbouring Senegal where he is being protected.

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Mr Barrow, in a tweet, extended an invitation to his fans to witness the swearing-in ceremony.

Hours earlier, the country’s chief justice said he could not rule on an injunction filed by Jammeh to prevent Barrow’s inauguration going ahead.

The country’s army chief said he would not order his men to fight other African troops if they enter Gambian territory.

Gambia’s Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy has joined eight cabinet ministers to resign in the face of the political impasse in the country as President Yahya Jammeh refused to step down.

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