Reuters, Jan. 22, 2017 – Scores of West African soldiers were seen preparing to make a ferry crossing to Gambia’s capital, Banjul, on Sunday, several witnesses said, as part of a mission to secure the country and allow new President Adama Barrow take up his office.

Yahya Jammeh, the authoritarian leader who had ruled the tiny nation since taking power in a coup 22 years ago, fled into exile late on Saturday as the military operation was poised to remove him.