Yahya Jammeh, the long-time president of The Gambia, has conceded defeat to opposition leader Adama Barrow, accepting that the Gambian people have “decided that I should take the back seat”.
Jammeh who has ruled the small West African country for 22 years lost to Barrow by 51,416 votes.
Barrow garnered 263,515 votes while Jammeh managed 212,099.
Speaking to the public on Gambian television late on Friday, Jammeh congratulated Barrow for his “clear victory”, saying: “I wish him all the best and I wish all Gambians the best.”
“If [Barrow] wants to work with us also, I have no problem with that. I will help him work towards the transition,” he said, confirming that he would not contest the result.
News of Barrow’s victory prompted thousands to take to the streets of Banjul in celebration – some on foot while others rode in cars and trucks and on motorbikes.
In his first comments after the results came out, Barrow acknowledged the nation’s huge shift.
“It’s time for work. It’s a new Gambia,” he said.
An estate agent who worked as a security guard in Britain, Barrow was chosen as the opposition candidate by a group of political parties who had joined forces for the first time, rustling up unprecedented popular support.
