Gambia's president Adama Barrow to return as the first new commander in chief

Banjul: Gambia’s President Adama Barrow is finally returning home on Thursday, solidifying his position as the country’s first new commander in chief in two decades after a political crisis that sent the previous ruler into exile.

Gambians eagerly await Mr Barrow, who has promised to reverse many of the authoritarian policies of former leader Yahya Jammeh, who was accused of imprisoning, torturing and killing his political opponents. Mr Barrow defeated Mr Jammeh in December elections, but the veteran leader did not want to cede power.

Mr Barrow was sworn-in on January 19 at the Gambian Embassy in neighboring Senegal because of security threats as Jammeh clung to power. Mr Jammeh finally left Gambia last weekend, bowing to international pressure that included a regional military force, ending a more than 22-year rule. The West African troops were poised to oust Mr Jammeh.