Africa highlights: Thursday 19 January 2017

Summary

President-elect Barrow sworn in at the Gambian embassy in Dakar
Huge diplomatic presence at inauguration
Barrow demands loyalty of armed forces
Nigerian military planes 'fly over Gambia'
Jammeh's propaganda chief says he is not quitting
Botswana no longer recognises Jammeh as president
Gambia's capital is 'eerily quiet'
Email stories and comments to africalive@bbc.co.uk - Thursday 19 January 2017

Live Reporting

Tom Spender and Farouk Chothia

Scroll down for Thursday's storiespublished at 18:20 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
We'll be back tomorrow
That's all from the BBC Africa Live page today. Keep up-to-date with what's happening in The Gambia and else where on the continent by listening to the Africa Today podcast or checking the BBC News website.
A reminder of today's wise words:
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One should look into what caused the elephant's tusk to break."
A Chewa proverb sent by Potipher Jacobs P, Lusaka, Zambia
Click here to send your African proverbs.
And we leave you with this photo of young girls learning ballet in a poor neighbourhood of Kenya's capital, Nairobi:
Image source, EPA
Nigeria 'to deploy troops to The Gambia'published at 18:18 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
The Nigerian military says it will deploy troops to The Gambia as part of a West African coalition force to uphold the result of December's presidential elections, Reuters reports.
In a statement, the Nigerian army said:
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The Nigerian military will deploy its assets as part of [a] standby force to protect the people of the Gambia and maintain sub-regional peace and security."
The Gambia's longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh has refused to leave office, despite losing elections last month.
President-elect Adama Barrow took the oath of office in Senegal today, leaving Gambia with two men claiming to be president.
Ambassadors offer Barrow supportpublished at 18:10 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Image source, RTS
Image caption,
Mr Barrow meets US Ambassador to Senegal Jim Zumwalt
Representatives from all of the UN Security Council member states were present at Adama Barrow's inauguration ceremony.
Afterwards, US Ambassador to Senegal Jim Zumwalt told Senegal's RTV:
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For us it is very important to promote democracy in The Gambia. We are delighted to work together with Mr Barrow for the good of Gambians."
UK Ambassador to Senegal George Hodgson said:
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This moment has been a long time coming, for Gambians and for the whole of West Africa. Here we have the president of The Gambia and he has called on the Gambian armed forces and people to follow the constitution and the democratic voice of Gambians. We hope it will not be long before he is installed in Banjul, where he should be."
French Abassador to Senegal Christophe Bigot said:
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This is a historic day and a victory for democracy. It is important for The Gambia, Senegal and the whole Africa and will considerably change the relationship between Senegal and The Gambia. We will continue to offer support so that the ceremony here will be followed by a ceremony in Banjul and Mr Barrow can begin implementing his ambitious programme of reform.
Barrow leaves ceremonypublished at 18:10 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
The Gambia's internationally-recognised President Adama Barrow has left the swearing-in ceremony at the country's embassy in Dakar, passing crowds of cheering Gambians as his motorcade drove off.
Image source, RTS
Image source, RTS
Image source, RTS
'Timid celebrations' in Banjulpublished at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
A BBC correspondent has tweeted from The Gambia's capital, Banjul, following the controversial inauguration in Senegal of Adama Barrow as president
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AU commission chief congratulates Barrowpublished at 17:52 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
The African Union commission chief has tweeted about the inauguration of Adama Barrow as Gambian president:
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Barrow: 'Our flag will fly high'published at 17:36 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
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Barrow : 'Enforce will of Gambians'published at 17:36 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
A journalist at former estate agent Adama Barrow's inauguration as president of The Gambia has tweeted:
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Jammeh minister talks toughpublished at 17:26 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Yahya Jammeh's information chief has said his boss - reportedly entrenched in Gambia's State House - is not leaving office.
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Barrow demands loyalty from armed forcespublished at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Image source, RTS
Adama Barrow, sworn in as president of The Gambia at a ceremony in Senegal, has used his first speech in office to call on the Gambian security forces to "remain loyal to the constitution" and stay in their barracks.
Soldiers found outside with firearms would be considered rebels, he said.
"From today on I am the president of The Gambia regardless of whether you voted for me or not," he said.
Mr Barrow added that his election was an opportunity for Gambians to "effect change that has been in the making for decades" and pledged "liberty and prosperity for everyone" regardless of ethnicity or gender.
He also vowed constitutional and legal reforms and said his election was the start of a meritocratic Gambia where "what you know" will be count for more than "who you know".
Mr Barrow took the oath of office with the backing of foreign governments, despite the fact that Yahya Jammeh has refused give up power in The Gambia.
UK congratulates Barrowpublished at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
Mr Johnson says the UK will work closely with Mr Barrow
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has issued a statement, congratulating former estate agent Adama Barrow following his controversial inauguration as president of The Gambia:
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The elections of 1 December 2016 were free and fair, and an orderly expression of democratic choice by the Gambian people. They represent a new chapter in the country’s history and an opportunity for change in The Gambia.
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The United Kingdom pays tribute to the decisive leadership shown by [the West African regional body] ECOWAS and the supportive role played by the African Union in ensuring that the democratic wishes of the Gambian people will be respected.
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It is vital that former President Jammeh now stands aside to allow an orderly transition.
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The United Kingdom has a long and historic relationship with The Gambia and I look forward to working closely with President Barrow’s government to further develop our already strong bilateral and economic links."
Barrow: 'I am your president'published at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Here are more details of Mr Barrow's speech, tweeted by a journalist who attended his presidential inauguration:
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Barrow: 'A victory for Gambians'published at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
A journalist has been tweeting the speech of The Gambia's internationally-recognised President Adama Barrow:
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Barrow gives first speech as 'president'published at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
A journalist at the inauguration of Adama Barrow has been tweeting about his maiden speech as the internationally recognised president of Gambia:
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Barrow 'inaugurated' as Gambian presidentpublished at 16:58 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Breaking
Image source, RTS
Image caption,
Mr Barrow has been sworn in
The Gambia's President-elect Adama Barrow has taken the oath of office at his country's embassy in neighbouring Senegal.
The ceremony was administered by Sheriff Tambadou, president of the Gambian Bar Association.
The tiny West African state now has two men claiming to be president. Its parliament voted earlier this week to extend Yahya Jammeh's rule by 90 days while he challenges his election defeat at the hands of Mr Barrow, a former estate agent, in the courts.
Regional forces, led by Senegal, have threatened to enter the country to oust Mr Jammeh.
The Gambia, popular with European tourists because of its beaches, has never had a smooth transfer of power since independence from Britain in 1965.
Gambia bar association head to administer ceremonypublished at 16:58 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Image source, RTS
Sheriff Tambadou, president of the Gambian Bar Association, will administer the oath of office ceremony of President-elect Adama Barrow in Senegal
Nigerian military planes 'fly over Gambia'published at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Nigeria's air force is flying over The Gambia, an official has said, as regional troops prepare to force Yahya Jammeh to quit after his December election defeat, AFP new agency reports.
It quotes Nigerian Air Force spokesman Ayodele Famuyiwa as saying:
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I confirm that the armed reconnaissance air force are over Gambia. They have the capacity to strike."
Barrow ready for big momentpublished at 16:48 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Gambia's President-elect Adama Barrow sent out this tweet - shortly before he was due to take the oath of office before diplomats and supporters from around the world:
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Barrow arrives for 'inauguration'published at 16:41 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
Image source, RTS
The Gambia's President-elect Adama Barrow has arrived at his countrys embassy in Senegal for his inauguration.
Dressed all in white, he waved at crowds outside the building before being escorted inside.
Image source, RTS
Huge diplomatic presence at Barrow's 'inauguration'published at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017
All UN Security Council states are represented at the inauguration of Gambia's President-elect Adama Barrow in Senegal's caital Dakar, Senegalese TV has reported.