Barrow attended the summit bringing together French President Francois Hollande and more than 30 African leaders, while Jammeh was absent. Barrow arrived in Bamako with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who had met both him and Jammeh in the Gambian capital Banjul on Friday. Jammeh, who has ruled the small West African nation for 22 years with an iron fist, has filed a petition to challenge the election result at the Supreme Court. The African Union said Friday said it will cease to recognize Jammeh as president after that date. ECOWAS earlier pledged to send troops to ensure a peaceful transition of power in Gambia if Jammeh persists in his refusal to step down.

Source: GNN Liberia January 15, 2017 14:08 UTC