Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh arrives to the opening of the 48th ordinary session of ECOWAS Authority of Head of States and Government in Abuja, Nigeria, December 16, 2015 REUTERS/Afolabi SotundeSenegalese troops have been seen moving towards the Gambian border in an apparent show of force to pressure President Yahya Jammeh to stand down, the BBC reported on Wednesday.
Mr. Jammeh who lost the December 1 presidential election to Adama Barrow first conceded defeat then changed his mind citing irregularities. He challenged the results in court but suffered setbacks.
Finally, he declare a 90-day state of emergency on Tuesday and got the National Assembly to pass a last minute resolution to allow him to stay in power for another three months.
Pressure from Africa, the United States and elsewhere fell into death ears, prompting ECOWAS to threaten military intervention.
The Nigerian military has deployed troops and a warship. Other ECOWAS members are ready to force Jammeh out of office.
Wednesday was meant to be his last day in office after his defeat by Adama Barrow but parliament has granted him three more months in office.That move effectively stops Mr Barrow being sworn in on Thursday.
West African countries are seeking UN backing to intervene militarily to eject Mr Jammeh, BBC said.