Senegalese troops break into Gambia

In a move to oust Yahya Jammeh, who is refusing to quit his position as president of The Gambia, Senegalese troops have entered the West African country.

Long convoys of military vehicles with armed soldiers entered the troubled nation through the border town of Karang, Abdoulie Bah, a resident, told dpa.

The troops are expected to search for Jammeh.

They entered Gambia not long after Adama Barrow took oath of office as the new president of the country after defeating Jammeh in the December election.

BBC quoted a Senegalese army spokesman as saying the troops were in Gambia to assist Barrow take charge.

After meeting a brick wall in the attempt to make Jammeh step down, continental leaders vowed to remove him by force.

Senegal gave him an ultimatum of midnight Wednesday to quit, and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz initiated a last minute effort to break the political deadlock, but Aziz said Jammeh was adamant about hanging on to power.

“I am now less pessimistic [that Mr Jammeh] will work on a peaceful solution that is in the best interest for everyone,” Aziz had said before flying on to Dakar airport for further discussions with Barrow and Senegal’s President Macky Sall.

UN has pledged support for Barrow, but advised that political means should be “pursued first”.

Jammeh, who seized power through coup, has been presiding over the country since 1994.