TOURISTS were flying home from The Gambia yesterday over fears that President Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to leave office could spark violence in the West African nation.

The second president of The Gambia, Jammeh was just 29 when he seized power in a coup in 1994.

He has led the two million-strong country ever since and has now refused to hand over power despite losing elections in December.

President-elect Adama Barrow, a property developer, has vowed to be sworn in today, with the support of the international community.

But yesterday the country’s parliament voted to extend Jammeh’s term by three months, deepening the political crisis.

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has threatened to bring in armed forces if Jammeh does not step aside and last night Senegalese troops were reported to be moving towards the Gambian border from two sides, increasing the pressure on Jammeh. Special flights to evacuate holidaymakers from Gambian resorts left for the UK yesterday, with operator Thomas Cook saying it would bring back almost 1,000 people.

WHY WON’T JAMMEH STEP DOWN?

BARROW’S win was a surprise to many and the long-term leader claims to have evidence that the outcome of December’s election was affected by irregularities.

Thousands of people have left the country, including a number of government ministers, and Barrow is in neighbouring Senegal for his safety.

He crossed the border on Saturday and allies say he intends to return to be sworn-in as planned. However, that ceremony has been organised by his own team and is unlikely to be recognised by Jammeh.

Tweeting after the state of emergency began, Barrow told his compatriots: “We made history on the first day of December. Our future starts tomorrow.”

Jammeh’s government has been accused of human rights abuses, including the torture of opponents and the use of arbitrary detention, despite the official line that The Gambia, famous for its beaches, is “the smiling coast of Africa”.

He has now declared a three-month state of emergency as he works to secure his position.

In a televised statement on Tuesday, he said security forces had been instructed to “maintain absolute peace, law and order” and that and “acts of disobedience”, including the incitement of violence and “acts intended to disturb public order and peace”, were banned.

European holiday firms Corendon and Tui have also made arrangements to repatriate their customers, including around 1,600 Dutch nationals.

The decision to leave is voluntary, but the Dutch Government has warned its citizens not to go there. The UK Foreign Office has also urged against non-essential travel to The Gambia “due to ongoing political uncertainty and potential military intervention following the presidential elections”.

IS ECOWAS SERIOUS ABOUT MILITARY ACTION?

IT’S certainly not playing. Witnesses said Senegalese troops were heading for the border and reports yesterday suggest Nigeria had sent a warship towards The Gambia as a warning to Jammeh.

Captain Dahun Jahun of the Nigerian navy said the country’s air force would also provide 200 troops for the regional force in supporting roles.

Ghana is also understood to be taking part and the African Union, which backs Ecowas, says it will not recognise Jammeh as head of state after today.

John Kirby of the US State Department urged Jammeh to leave office and ensure a safe transition of power to Barrow. He said: “Doing so would allow him to leave office with his head held high and to protect The Gambian people from potential chaos.

“Failure to do so will put his legacy, and more importantly The Gambia, in peril.”

WHO IS BARROW?

AN Arsenal supporter who spent several years living in London, Barrow has won the support of his country’s youth and branded Jammeh a “soulless dictator”.

Appointed to a senior role in the United Democratic Party (UDP) party, Gambia’s main opposition, in 2013, he rose to prominence after ex-UDP leader Ousainou Darboe was detained in late 2016.

The well-known figure had led protests sparked by the alleged death of an activist in police custody.

It is understood that Barrow’s eight-year-old son died just days ago after being attacked by a dog. However, the father could not return from Senegal to attend the funeral due to fears for his safety.

Even if he remains there today, he may still make a bid for inauguration – holding the ceremony at the country’s embassy in Senegal would not be against the rules. If both men continue to stake their claims, the country’s divisions may deepen.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

ACCORDING to Jammeh, the situation is simple – he will only stay on until fresh elections can be held.

Despite his 22-year tenure, national polls have been held throughout, he has just been fortunate enough not to lose any until now. He says his supporters were turned away from polling stations by officials, alleging further errors by the country’s electoral commission.

While it has conceded some errors within the process, including publishing inaccurate results, it held firm on Barrow’s victory.