Gambia president concedes defeat, said 'God says time's up,'

Gambia's long time leader Yahya Jammeh, who has ruled the tiny West African nation for 22 years has conceded election defeat, and vowed to step down.

Jammeh's comments comes hours after news of the election results prompted widespread celebrations among Gambians in the streets of the capital Banjul.

In a live TV broadcast, Jammeh called the winner, Adama Barrow, on a mobile phone to praise the election and promised not to contest the result.

"Allah is telling me my time is up and I hand over graciously with gratitude toward the Gambian people and gratitude toward you," Jammeh said.

According to results announced by the head of the electoral commission, Barrow received 45 per cent of the vote against Jammeh's 36 per cent.

Following the announcement of results, several people stormed the streets to celebrate while some tore down posters of Jammeh as military stood by. 

Gambians celebrate the victory of Opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow in the streets of Serrekunda

Several people were seen in pick-up trucks riding through the streets of Banjul screaming "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!".