Africa

Gambia's new president set for inauguration

Associated Press
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FILE - In this Thursday Jan. 26, 2017 file photo, Gambia President Adama Barrow waves as he rides his motorcade through crowds of hundreds of thousands after arriving at Banjul airport in Gambia, after flying in from Dakar, Senegal. Gambia's new president is set to be inaugurated Saturday Feb. 18, 2017, as this tiny West African nation celebrates wider freedoms after a tense political standoff with its former leader. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File) (The Associated Press)

Gambia President Adama Barrow, left, reads, during his inauguration ceremony in Banjul , Gambia, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. Gambia's new president thanked his nation and promised greater freedom, an improved economy and better education as thousands attended a ceremony Saturday marking his inauguration after a tense political standoff with the country's former longtime leader. (AP Photo/ Kuku Marong) (The Associated Press)

Gambia President Adama Barrow speaks during his inauguration ceremony in Banjul , Gambia, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. Gambia's new president thanked his nation and promised greater freedom, an improved economy and better education as thousands attended a ceremony Saturday marking his inauguration after a tense political standoff with the country's former longtime leader. (AP Photo/ Kuku Marong) (The Associated Press)

Gambia's new president is set to be inaugurated today as this tiny West African nation celebrates wider freedoms after a tense political standoff with its former leader.

Several heads of state are scheduled to attend Saturday's ceremony for President Adama Barrow. He was sworn into office last month at Gambia's embassy in neighboring Senegal as former leader Yahya Jammeh refused to cede power.

International pressure, including the threat of a regional military intervention, led Jammeh to finally accept his December election loss and fly into exile. Hundreds of thousands of Gambians welcomed Barrow's return to Gambia soon afterward.

Barrow has pledged to reverse many of Jammeh's actions and has committed to stay in the International Criminal Court and rejoin the Commonwealth. He also has vowed to free political prisoners.