How Former Security Guard Becomes Gambian President Elect after Defeating Incumbent, Yahya Jammeh

Former Argos security guard from North London is set to become the president of Gambia in an unprecedented upset for President Yahya Jammeh who had pledged to rule for a billion years.

 

President Jammeh, who has ruled the tiny West African nation for 22 years since he staged a coup, conceded defeat to opposition leader Adama Barrow, the chairman of the electoral commission on Friday morning.

 

If he goes ahead with a peaceful handover of power, challenger Adama Barrow will become Zambia third head of state since independence in 1962.

 

The head of the Gambia’s electoral commission, Alieu Momarr Njai, said Jammeh would concede on Friday. A video of his speech has already been recorded and is being edited, news websites have reported.

 

It was “very unique” that Jammeh would accept defeat after controlling the Gambia for so long, Njai said.

 

Year 2016 is just full of surprises.