ECOWAS halts military operation in Gambia till noon on Friday to allow for one last mediation attempt

In a new turn of event, ECOWAS troops has reportedly suspended a military operation in Gambia aimed at installing the country's new president, Adama Barrow, so that regional leaders can make one last attempt to convince longtime leader, Yahya Jammeh to step down.

Adama Barrow was sworn in as Gambia's new president On Thursday 19 January at Gambia's embassy in Darkar, Senegal, following the expiration of Jammeh's tenure who has refused to step down. 
Thousands of soldiers from Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana on Thursday mobilized to pressure Yahya Jammeh to step down.

According to a regional official, the regional troops will resume the military operation in the tiny west African country at noon on Friday if Jammeh continues to hold on to power.

The head of the ECOWAS commission, Marcel de Souza, said that there was no way Jammeh could remain in Gambia, adding that if the last mediation efforts is successful, Jammeh could be allowed to choose his country of exile. 

Meanwhile, a delegation of West African heads of state, led by Guinean President Alpha Conde, is expected to travel to Gambia for a final mediation mission on Friday.

Barrow will return to Gambia once the operation is over.