Former interior minister Prosper Bani has lauded Ghana’s decision to send soldiers to The Gambia to force Yahya Jammeh out of power.
Ghana has contributed 205 combat troops to augment ECOWAS’ troops being led by Senegal. The force has already entered The Gambia to clear the way for new president Adama Barrow to take over.
“I want to applaud the Armed Forces for such a move because Yahya Jammeh must heed to the people of the Gambia,” Mr. Bani told Onua FM.
“Ghana is a legitimate member of ECOWAS and we will not be doing justice to the continent if we pull back.
“The people of Africa have chosen democracy and so if their will has resulted to the change of government, then it is up to Jammeh to heed to that,” Mr. Bani noted.
However, he said “should the forces of ECOWAS enter the Gambia, there will be loss of lives and destruction of property so I will support extensive diplomatic resolution to the problem”.
The UN Security Council has given its backing to the military operation.
Barrow sworn in; Jammeh stays put
Adama Barrow has since been sworn in as The Gambia’s new president at the country’s embassy in Senegal.
His investiture which took place Thursday was graced by diplomats and officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
African leaders recognize Barrow as the leader of The Gambia as long-serving president Yahya Jammeh holds on to power in the country. He lost in a disputed election last year, but refused to step down, alleging fraud.
Ghana’s former leader John Mahama, Nigeria’s Muhamadu Buhari and Ellen Sirleaf Johnson of Liberia failed to convince Jammeh to step down.
