Senegalese troops backed by other African forces were poised to enter The Gambia Thursday after President Yahya Jammeh refused to leave office, ignoring a midnight deadline to stand down or face military action.

Jammeh's army chief said his troops would not fight their entry into the country, as the Mauritanian president flew out of The Gambia following hopes of a last-minute deal to convince Jammeh to hand over power.

We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute," Chief of Defence Staff Ousman Badjie said after eating dinner in a tourist district close to the capital Banjul, eyewitnesses told AFP.
"I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men," he added.

"If they come in, we are here like this," Badjie said, making a hands up or surrender gesture.

Jammeh's mandate ended at midnight (local and GMT) but he has steadfastly refused to leave office after losing elections last month to Adama Barrow, prompting west African states to ramp up pressure on the president following weeks of failed diplomacy.

Nigeria sent troops and fighter jets to Senegal, whose own forces massed on the Gambian border.

Witnesses said the situation was calm in Banjul overnight, although troops had been deployed in the city.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet Thursday to adopt a statement on West Africa that will reaffirm the demand for Jammeh to hand over power, diplomats said.

"If a political solution fails, we will engage" in operations in The Gambia, Senegal army spokesman Colonel Abdou Ndiaye told AFP ahead of the deadline.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/african-troops-standby-end-gambia-crisis-191043529.html

this army chief is very smart

But ur men will protect that stubborn ex president?

Saw this

"If they (Senegalese) come in, we are here like this," Badjie said, making a hands up or surrender gesture. 

the stupid president will replace or kill him...

He developed cold feet...


He even accorded respect to Nigerian soldiers because he can't stand them... He rather uses Senegalese as a reference point...


Fear gripped him...

When Bubu finally met Jammeh

Wise decision by the defence chief. No point fighting a war you know you can't win.

ECOWAS forces should march into Gambia, take over the country and install Barrow. No room for dictators again in West Africa.

Na buhari's cousin.

That's a smart move, atleast he has averted Burantashi from launching Operation Alligator Laugh in Gambia..

Cc: lalasticlala, seun

BeeBeeOoh:
That's a smart move, atleast he has averted Burantashi from launching Operation Alligator Laugh in Gambia..

But the news pain you sha, and it woukd hurt every other ipob wailer out there because theyve been waiting to start insulting the president once any of our men dies in the course of the confrontation.

Thank God you would be disappointed.

Ok