The marbles have spoken: Gambians party after voting out 22yr ruler in shock election upset (VIDEOS)
Gambians are dancing on the streets after they dropped their marbles and voted out the long-term autocratic president Yahya Jammeh in a shock election, making former UK-based security guard Adama Barrow the new president of Gambia.
Barrow gained 45.5 percent of the vote, which is cast by putting a marble into a colored drum for the choice candidate, against Jammeh's 36.7 percent, according to Reuters.
Africa's SMALLEST country #Gambia, has given the continent its BIGGEST step forward in democracy this year#GambiaHasDecided#GambiaDecides
— Zuwa Matondo (@ZuwaMatondo) December 2, 2016
Adama Barrow is declared winner of #Gambia election after defeating Yahya Jammeh who was in power since 1994. #GambiaDecides#Africapic.twitter.com/v0UKrmqS5x
— Live From Mogadishu (@Daudoo) December 2, 2016
Official results from Banjul constituencies shows opposition winning 2/3. 1st time in #Gambia's history that Jammeh has lost. #GambiaDecides
— Jeffrey Smith (@Smith_JeffreyT) December 1, 2016
Jammeh, who had ruled Gambia for 22 years, conceded defeat in the election on state television Friday night and vowed not to contest the result in a phone call to Barrow.
"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 to the president-elect, as reported by AP.
Election Commission chairman Alieu Momarr Njai earlier told reporters that Jammeh would accept defeat, adding that it's "very unique" that the president would do that after so many years in power, according to All Africa.
This would be the first peaceful transition of power in the West African nation’s history since it gained independence from the UK in 1965.
The news has brought massive crowds onto the streets of the Gambian capital, Banjul, dancing and cheering in an impromptu celebration of Barrow’s victory.
Pulling up in Gambia like #GambiaDecidespic.twitter.com/yiEmi0CmnE
— Asiatou✨ (@_AKhann) December 2, 2016
Celebration in gambia as adama Barrow defeat incumbent gambia presidential election yahya jammeh #GambiaDecidespic.twitter.com/adpYWCaC0p
— Fathermose (@KaxxMusa) December 2, 2016
#kebetu#Gambia SCÈNES DE LIESSE EN GAMBIE pic.twitter.com/9uukV3fAhB
— Moussa Joseph Faye (@Jolaye) December 2, 2016
This men are loyal to #Gambia i salut ya ll courage pic.twitter.com/XlaUpoCbxs
— Sankalang Mansa (@kebrimak) December 2, 2016
Ousman Badjie most senior military figure in The Gambia celebrating with crowd pic.twitter.com/hv009JEpP0
— Nicolas Haque (@nicolashaque) December 2, 2016
For the Gambia, always pic.twitter.com/TFOPCPl8z4
— Ngenarr-Yassin Jeng (@miss_petite_j) December 2, 2016
New dawn begins in the #Gambia within the election of #AdamaBarrow! Weeeeeeeeeeeee #AdamaBarrow#GambiaDecidespic.twitter.com/1OPKlonMos
— Gambia Voices (@GambiaVoices) December 2, 2016
Before the election Jammeh, who previously vowed to rule the nation for "a billion years," predicted he would win the vote.
He gained power in 1994 as a result of a coup and has been accused by rights groups of human rights violations including torture and forced disappearances of political opponents and journalists.
Jammeh’s government shut down access to the internet and international calls on the evening before the election, prompting an outcry that it was a tactic to suppress freedom of expression. They also warned that no protests would be allowed after the election.
Election day in #Gambia no way of knowing if ppl are out to vote. Phones & internet down from last night. Borders closed. #GambiaDecides
— Haddi Jow (@jowfarah) December 1, 2016
Amnesty International called the blackout “unjustified” and a “crude attack on the right to freedom of expression in Gambia.”
Barrow, 51, has two wives and five children and has vowed to bring the country back from the brink and restore human rights and true democracy in the nation. Eight opposition parties united behind Barrow during the campaign.
Early results from #Gambia's election demonstrate how autocratic regimes can be brought down when opposition parties unite. #GambiaDecides
— Doug Coltart (@DougColtart) December 2, 2016
Barrow is a real estate agent and previously worked as a security guard at British retailer Argos in a north London store. He is also reported to be a fan of Arsenal football club.
Google searches across the world: 'who is Adam Barrow', 'where is Gambia?'; Google searches across Gambia: 'what is Argos?' (Richard Brodie)
— Oscar Webb (@owebb) December 2, 2016
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has taken to Twitter to congratulate the small African nation on its momentous decision.
Congratulations to #Gambia for their successful elections. Momentous day for the Gambian people and democracy in Africa #GambiaDecides
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 2, 2016