BANJUL, Gambia — President Adama Barrow returned triumphantly to Gambia on Thursday, nearly two months after winning an election disputed by the country’s longtime dictator, to the cheers of hundreds of thousands who jammed the roads in welcome.
“That’s my president!” the crowds cried, eager to see Mr. Barrow fulfill the promise of democratic reforms and newfound freedoms in this tiny West African nation.
The impasse after the Dec. 1 balloting had brought Gambia to the brink of military intervention, as regional leaders vowed to install the democratically elected Mr. Barrow despite legal efforts by longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh to overturn the result of the vote. Mr. Barrow had flown to Banjul from Senegal, where he had waited for Mr. Jammeh to leave Gambia.
“Barrow! Barrow!” people shouted from atop vehicles as far as the eye could see at sunset Thursday as the president’s convoy made its way through Banjul. Women danced on minibuses and the sound of drums and music blared in the streets. Spontaneous parties erupted.
Mr. Barrow stood out of the roof of his vehicle and waved as he slowly made his way on a tour of the city and back to his home.
Mr. Barrow promised to get his Cabinet in place and “then get the ball rolling,” adding that a commission would be set up to address reconciliation.
Mr. Barrow has promised to reverse many of the authoritarian policies of Mr. Jammeh. The former leader oversaw a government accused of imprisoning, torturing and killing his political opponents.
Mr. Jammeh, who had been accused of rigging previous elections during his regime, initially called Mr. Barrow to concede after the balloting. But when the talk began about whether he could be indicted on war crimes charges, Mr. Jammeh shocked the world with a dramatic about-face, saying he would not cede power after all.
The international community said the election was fair and threw its support behind Mr. Barrow, a 51-year-old businessman.
Concerns emerged for Mr. Barrow’s safety, and regional mediators urged him to wait for Mr. Jammeh’s departure in neighboring Senegal. Ultimately, Mr. Barrow was sworn in Jan. 19 at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar.
Mr. Jammeh finally left Gambia last weekend, bowing to international pressure and ending his more than 22-year rule. West African troops were poised to oust him if talks failed.
Mr. Barrow faces immediate challenges, including a government that appears to be broke.
