Gambia`s Jammeh faces last chance deadline to quietly quit

Banjul: Gambia`s Yahya Jammeh faced a "last chance" to hand over power peacefully Friday as troops from five African nations stood by to intervene and key regional leaders flew in to make a final push for a deal.

Mauritania`s President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and Guinea`s Alpha Conde told reporters hope remained for a political resolution to the country`s handover crisis as they left for Banjul from Nouakchott, the Mauritanian capital.

Jammeh, who refuses to recognise his defeat in presidential elections last month, would be offered asylum in the country of his choice, Conde advisor Kiridi Bangoura said in the Guinean capital Conakry.

"We still have every chance for a peaceful solution," Aziz said. "We have every interest in achieving that, we have enough conflicts in Africa going on without adding another."

"We`re on our way to bring joy" to Gambia, said Conde before boarding.

The pair arrived after a previously announced noon (1200 GMT) deadline for military intervention by foreign troops, which was extended de facto with no new time set.

Jammeh has rejected President Adama Barrow`s December 1 election win, despite significant pressure from regional powers and the UN, sparking a major crisis and sending tourists -- vital for the tiny country`s economy -- fleeing.
Mauritania`s Aziz met Jammeh earlier this week as well as opposition leaders and Barrow but Conde advisor Bangoura said the longtime Gambian leader had yet to choose a place of exile.

Political sources cited Morocco and Guinea as possibilities, along with Mauritania and Qatar.

Barrow, who was sworn in at The Gambia`s embassy in Dakar on Thursday, remained in Senegal awaiting the outcome of the talks, with hopes of taking over from Jammeh as soon as his safety could be guaranteed.

He hailed a "victory of the Gambian nation" and demanded loyalty from his armed forces at his inauguration.

An imminent military operation, dubbed operation "Restore Democracy", was suspended late Thursday to allow the final push to convince Jammeh to leave after 22 years at the helm of the former British colony.

"We have suspended operations and given him an ultimatum," said Marcel Alain de Souza, head of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). As white flags reportedly flew from Gambian army posts in the countryside, tectonic shifts were said to be underway among the military elite, pointing to a gradual acceptance of Barrow, even among units known for loyalty to Jammeh.

A diplomatic source said a faction had "switched sides" among the elite Republican Guards who assure Jammeh`s personal protection, following meetings among themselves at their Bakau barracks close to Banjul.

Gambian army chief Ousman Badjie was seen celebrating Barrow`s inauguration late Thursday and had already declared he would not order his men to fight for Jammeh.

Soldiers were told by Barrow in his inauguration speech they would be considered rebel elements if they remained armed on the streets.

Vultures circled the deserted streets of Banjul on Friday morning, with the usual heavy military presence near absent.

"If they (foreign troops) come we will just stay in our homes and let them take him. If I had the chance I would apprehend him myself. He`s messed up our lives," one Banjul resident told AFP under condition of anonymity.
After a string of ministerial resignations this week, Jammeh appeared determined to stand his ground to the last, announcing he was dissolving the government and taking over.

"The President of the Republic of The Gambia Sheikh Professor Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh Babilimansa has dissolved his cabinet today," a statement said. "The office of the President oversees all ministries.

On the ground, troops including "land, air and sea" forces had crossed into The Gambia, a Senegalese army officer told AFP, indicating that Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Mali were also involved.

Nigerian jets flew over The Gambia earlier.

The uncertainty continued to push Gambians to flee the country and the United Nations refugee agency said around 45,000 had fled so far, with more than 75 percent being children, largely accompanied by women.

"They are staying with family members, host families or in hotels. Some families are hosting up to 40 to 50 people and will soon need support as they may quickly run out of resources," a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report said.