Aziz left Gambia shortly before midnight, when Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh's presidential mandate expired. About 30 vehicles with tinted windows then sped away from where the talks took place. The African Union and West African regional body Ecowas have both said that as of Thursday they only recognise Barrow as Gambia's president. Barrow was due to be sworn in later on Thursday, but plans to do so at the national stadium could not go ahead. But a week later, the president changed his mind, triggering international condemnation and threats of force.

Source: The Star January 19, 2017 05:12 UTC