Thousands watched as President Adama Barrow's public swearing-in ceremony was held in the city of Bakau. The occasion ends a monthslong political crisis after the country's longtime leader refused to step down.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
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Optimistic mood in The Gambia on Barrow's inauguration
The Gambia celebrated President Adama Barrow's inauguration on Saturday, after 22 years under a dictatorship. Tens of thousands of Gambians turned up for the ceremony, including several West African leaders.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
#GambiaHasDecided
Preparations in Serekunda were in full swing ahead of the celebration. The slogan #GambiaHasDecided expressed the desire of many Gambians for political and economic change after the election. The phrase was even printed on T-shirts.
Image: DW/V. Haiges
The great rush
Thousands were expected at the country's Independent Stadium for the celebrations. But since the stadium only accommodates 30,000 people, extra steel constructions were set up to hold large screens that broadcast the ceremony to a huge audience outside the stadium.
Image: DW/V. Haiges
The beginning of a new era
Adama Barrow won the first democratic election in The Gambia after 22 years. On Saturday, he was officially sworn in as president. His predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, had refused to leave power, plunging the country's future into uncertainty. This meant that Barrow had to be first sworn into power in neighboring Senegal.
Image: DW/V. Haiges
Huge crowds gathered for the occasion
A crowd of hundreds began to gather as early as 3:00 am. "I spent the night here at the stadium. This is to ensure that I can have a smooth passage inside", said Isatou Dibba, a Barrow supporter.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
Cheers for Barrow and Njai
President Adama Barrow arrived to huge applause. Spectators also cheered Independent Electoral Commission chairman Alieu Momarr Njai, who had to flee to
Senegal during the political crisis after standing by the election results.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
Flag flying high
The inauguration took place on the 52nd anniversary of Gambia's independence from Britain, shortly after which Dawda Jawara became the West African country's first president.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
Colorful event
The stadium where the inauguration took place was packed with an estimated 25,000 people, who were mostly wearing colorful dresses.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
Peaceful coexistence
There is a large Christian minority in this mainly Muslim country. The Gambia is famous for the peaceful coexistence of different religions and cultures. In recent years, however, the previous regime exacerbated the differences between the different ethnic groups and religions, which led to tensions. Many minorities now hope for a fresh start.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
Camaraderie and dignitaries
The Independent stadium were the ceremony took place was packed with an estimated 25,000 people, including the presidents of Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Mauritania.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
Oath of office
President Adama Barrow took the oath of office pledging to reverse many of the actions
his predecessor Jammeh took during more than two decades of power. He has committed to staying in the International Criminal Court and rejoining the Commonwealth. He also has vowed to free political prisoners.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
Hope for recovery
The Serekunda market is one of the country's largest trading centers. The main source of income for the country is the peanut export industry, and tourism. Due to the unsafe situation after the election, very few tourists came to The Gambia. This aggravated the economic situation in the country. The Gambia is one of the poorest countries in the world.
Image: DW/V. Haiges
High expectations
Despite many problems in the country, such as the poorly performing economy, the missing state funds and the erratic electricity supply - which is often switched off for hours - many Gambians are feeling hopeful about the future. (Vincent Haiges contributed to this picture gallery)
Image: DW/V. Haiges
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An estimated 25,000 people packed into the city's Independence Stadium on Saturday along with several regional heads of state for Barrow's pledge of oath.
Barrow arrived to fanfare and huge applause, waving from his vehicle in flowing white robes. Songs and shouts of slogans filled the stadium and many supporters wore pro-Barrow T-shirts. Later, he was due to address the nation on TV.
The presidents of Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Mauritania were also in attendance, at what was the new Gambian leader's second swearing-in ceremony due to a monthslong political struggle.
The first took place in Senegal last month for security reasons after Barrow fled to the neighboring country despite being declared the winner in Gambia's December 1 election.
Jammeh hung on for months
His predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, who had ruled the tiny West African state for 23 years from 1994, refused to step down following the vote. After weeks of international pressure, Jammeh eventually conceded defeat and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea, allowing Barrow to return on January 26.
Along with the new leader, Gambia's electoral commission chairman, Alieu Momarr Njai, who stood by the election results, was also greeted by cheers from the crowd.
Saturday's inauguration took place on the 52nd anniversary of Gambia's independence from Britain.
