Jammeh: leaves Gambia into a probable oblivion
Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, former president of Gambia has left Banjul, the capital to begin an indefinite term in exile. He left just after 10.00pm for Conakry, along with President Alpha Conde.
To rub his large ego, he was given a full ceremonial honour by the military brass band and a red carpet treatment. As stated by a journalist who witnessed the departure, some of his aides wept openly on the tarmac, while “others outside are still celebrating”.
His departure was confirmed by President Adama Barrow, now waiting in Dakar, Senegal to return home and start his government of ‘inclusiveness’ and transparency as he promised on Saturday.
“I would like to inform you that the 2nd President of the Republic of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh has left Gambia. #Gambia“, Barrow posted on twitter at about 10pm Nigerian time.
The plane that took Jammeh away
Hordes of journalists and a battery of photographers had camped all day at the Banjul International Airport waiting for his departure, after an agreement was reached Friday night with President Alpha Conde of Guinea and President Abdul Aziz of Mauritania, for him to vacate power voluntarily.
Paparazzi waiting at the airport to capture Jammeh’s exit
Signs of Jammeh’s exit came at about 9pm Nigerian time, when one of the journalists keeping vigil, posted on twitter:
“The #Gambia military brass band is here @ the airport. The red carpet has been rolled out. Yahya Jammeh should be on his way.”
President Alpha Conde and Mauritania’s leader, Abdul Aziz, with Jammeh
The former soldier turned civilian leader held sway in the country for 22 years and had vowed to rule the country for a hyperbolic ‘billion years’ until he was thrashed in the presidential election by a political green horn, Adama Barrow.
It is not clear where Jammeh will end up eventually. He flew out with President Alpha Conde in an aircraft owned by Mauritania.
After landing in Conakry, Jammeh may finally be heading to Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea, ruled by another African pseudo democrat,Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo who has been in power since 1979.