Update on Gambian political turmoil.

Gambian President-elect, Adama Barrow, today, took the oath of office in the country's embassy in Senegal.

He seized the opportunity to call on the security forces in Gambia to demonstrate their loyalty in his stand-off with dictatorian Jammeh. 

In his words

"I command the chief of defence staff and officers of high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as commander-in-chief without any delay. I command all members of the armed forces to remain in their barracks, those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my order will be considered rebels. This is a day no Gambian will ever forget. This is a victory of the Gambian nation. Our flag will now fly high among those of the most democratic nations of the world."

The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously backed Ecowas efforts to ensure Gambia's leader Yahya Jammeh hands over power as the West African bloc amassed a military force ready to intervene. A resolution drafted by Senegal won the support of all 15 council members including Russia, which stressed that the measure did not formally authorise military action in The Gambia. The Economic Community Of West African States has repeatedly called on Jammeh to accept his defeat in the December 1 election and step down after 22 years in power. The resolution calls on the council to give "its full support to the Ecowas in its commitment to ensure, by political means first, the respect of the will of the people."

Gambia's army chief said on Wednesday, he would not order his men to fight other African troops if they enter Gambian territory, speaking as Senegalese and other troops massed on his nation's borders.The Senegalese troops backed by other African forces are on standby to move into The Gambia as President Yahya Jammeh approached the midnight deadline to stand down or face military action after refusing to leave at the end of his term.

"We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute," Chief of Defence Staff Ousman Badjie said, after eating dinner in a tourist district close to the capital, Banjul, eyewitnesses told AFP. I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men," he added, stopping to pose for selfies with admirers while dressed in fatigues, beret and green t-shirt, according to those present.

"If they (Senegalese) come in, we are here like this," Badjie said, making a hands up to surrender gesture.

Badjie is no stranger to controversy after appearing to declare support for president-elect Adama Barrow and then switching back to Jammeh.

He was recently barred from visiting Gambian peacekeepers in Darfur due to the sensitivity of The Gambia's ongoing political crisis, which has seen Jammeh repeatedly refuse to step down despite losing a December 1 election to opponent Barrow.

"Our troops are on alert... The ultimatum takes effect at midnight," when Jammeh's mandate is due to expire, Senegal army spokesperson Colonel Abdou Ndiaye told AFP ahead of the deadline. Russian Deputy Ambassador, Petr Iliichev stressed that the resolution calls for political means to resolve the standoff and warned that military action could fail. "For the time being, there is no bloodletting but if they intervene, who is going to take responsibility for that?" Iliichev told reporters ahead of the vote.Nigeria and Ghana were sending troops and air power to Senegal to join a Dakar-led regional force preparing to carry out a possible military intervention in The Gambia.UN diplomats said that if Barrow requests a military intervention in The Gambia, this would provide the legal basis for the use of force."We are hoping that there is a peaceful resolution to this, but it is very clear that if President Barrow asks for assistance, then that is something that, as the legitimate president of Gambia, he is perfectly entitled to do," said British Deputy Ambassador Peter Wilson. 

The resolution requests that Jammeh "carry out a peaceful and orderly transition process, and to transfer power" to Barrow.

It urges "all stakeholders, within and outside The Gambia ...exercise restraint, respect the rule of law and ensure the peaceful transfer of power."The measure does not invoke Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which authorises the use.