Africa

Gambia’s President, Adama Barrow secures second term in office

Gambian President Adama Barrow looks at the audience from the opened roof of a car as he arrives at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, west of the capital Banjul for the inauguration ceremony, on February 18, 2017. Thousands of supporters gathered on February 18, 2017 to finally celebrate the inauguration of Gambian President Adama Barrow, a month after he was sworn in across the border in neighbouring Senegal during a tense power struggle. The festivities began in the morning at Independence Stadium in Bakau, west of the capital, and were to be attended by several African heads of state as well as high-ranking diplomats. / AFP PHOTO / SEYLLOU

Gambia’s President, Adama Barrow, has been re-elected, in the first vote for decades held without long-term leader Yahya Jammeh.

President Barrow received 53 % of the votes, with closest challenger, Ousainou Darboe, garnering 28%. The vote is being seen as a test for democracy in the Gambia.

In the last election, Mr. Barrow defeated Yahya Jammeh, who now lives in exile after refusing to accept the result.

Addressing supporters in a victory speech in the capital Banjul, Mr. Barrow called for unity among the country’s political factions to work towards the development of the Gambia. Mr. Darboe and two other candidates – Mama Kandeh and Essa Mbye Faal – issued a joint statement before the final result was declared, disputing the figures.

They said they were concerned at delays and that their Party Agents had raised a number of issues.

Electoral Commission Chairman Alieu Momarr Njai, declared Barrow the winner, announcing the final results to journalists hours after rival candidates had challenged partial results that gave him a commanding lead.