Gambia's authoritarian leader Yahya Jammeh said on Saturday he was stepping down under pressure from regional armies which entered the West African country this week following his refusal to concede an election defeat to President Adama Barrow, Reuters reported. Jammeh was due to go into exile under a deal worked out with African leaders and the announcement on state television ended a reign that began in 1994 when he seized power in a coup. In practice, Jammeh had little choice after some 7,000 soldiers from Nigeria and Senegal entered Gambia on Thursday backed by tanks and warplanes. They were poised to move into the capital, Banjul, as Jammeh's army provided no resistance. Jammeh's government established a reputation for torturing and killing perceived opponents to stifle dissent and his departure will likely be welcomed by democracy advocates and viewed as a triumph for African diplomacy. Jammeh said his leaving power was in the national interest, adding he was grateful there was no bloodshed during the stalemate. The leader was due to leave Gambia on Saturday, but there were conflicting reports as to where he would fly under a deal negotiated by the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania who travelled to Banjul on Friday to mediate, according to sources close to the talks. Those talks involved whether he could be offered amnesty for alleged crimes committed during his rule, the sources said.
